Anti-Terrorist Detection Equipment Deployment Update

[TrueBlueTerrier]

LTB 621/09 - CBRNE (Anti-Terrorist) Detection Equipment (Handheld and Gate Portal) Deployment Update - July 2009:

No. 621/09
Ref E1
Date: 20 July 2009

* To All CWU Postal Branches
All CWU Regional Health and Safety Forums
All CWU Area Safety Representatives

Dear Colleagues

CBRNE (Anti-Terrorist) Detection Equipment (Handheld and Gate Portal) Deployment Update - July 2009:

Background
This LTB is issued further to LTB's 736/06, 744/06, 747/06, 802/06, 185/06, 232/07, 233/07, 471/07 and LTB 112/08 CBRNE Research - Live Trial and Tests of the "Biral VeroTect" detection unit at Sheffield Mail Centre, Fortnight Commencing 25 February 2008 -dated 19th

February 2008

The deployment of technology to assist in the protection of Royal Mail and its workforce from CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive) terrorism risk commenced in February 2007 and to date nearly all Mail Centre sites now have the CBRNE handheld detection equipment. Consideration is also being given to Parcelforce Coventry Hubs receiving the equipment. The CBRNE detection equipment is being introduced to enable any 'white powder' spillages to be quickly tested.

The Royal Mail CBRNE national steering group oversees the business response to the threat of terrorist attack and the management of incidents. The group consist of representatives from Royal Mail's security and business protection team, the CWU, the CMA, BERR, Home Office, and other external counter-terrorism agencies. The steering group is keen to see equipment deployed to the remaining Mail Centres.

The CBRNE detection equipment

The CBRNE Hand Held Detection equipment being deployed which tests suspect material for any hazards consists of:
1. The LCD (Lightweight Chemical Detector), a handheld chemical detector which checks for chemical toxic hazards.
2. The Exploranium (Radioactivity Detector), a handheld radiological spectrometer which checks for radiation.
3. The HAZMA ID (Identification Unit), a portable infrared spectrometer which identifies spilt substances.
4. "Hazard Rated" Type H Filtration Vacuum Cleaner. This equipment has been successfully tested by RM Engineering at Swindon and by the Home Office and MOD. The National Counter-Terrorism Security Office and Police National CBRNE Team have been consulted and are aware that Royal Mail will operate the equipment and fully support the initiative.

Operating the Detection Equipment - RM Engineers and Managing the Incident - PIC

RM Engineers who have volunteered and have been fully trained will operate the new technology and, in some circumstances, trained operational managers. Full training and safety equipment will be provided to all engineers carrying out this role. The importance of this role cannot be overstated as the health and safety of everyone in the mail centre where a spillage has occurred is dependent on a rapid and professional response, utilising the kit. The joint statement signed by Royal Mail and the CWU confirms that the health and safety of the workforce is the highest priority and we jointly support and encourage our engineers to take on this role.

Royal Mail decided that the technical expertise and experience in maintaining complex automation equipment means that engineers are best placed to use the detection technology. Royal Mail have stated that they need engineer's professionalism and experience in order for incidents of spillages to be effectively dealt with. However, it will be the responsibility of the Person in Control (PiC), in consultation with Central Postal Control (CPC), to manage the incident and decide what action to take. The CWU supports this

Decision making on issues such as evacuating buildings

All final decision making falls within the responsibility of the Office's appointed Person in Control (PiC), in consultation with Central Postal Control (CPC), to manage the incident and decide what action to take (not the engineers). The decision making will however be based on the professional information on the nature of a spillage provided by the engineers which will facilitate a timely response. The partnership approach between engineers and operational managers is vital to resolve white powder incidents and mail content spillages.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The provision and type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided to Engineering staff, to be worn when operating the hand held CBRNE (Anti-Terrorist) detection equipment (the Lightweight Chemical Detector, the Radioactivity Detector and the HAZMAT ID Portable computerised Chemical Detector & Identifier) when dealing with white powder/suspect package incidents has been kept under constant review.

The original plan was to provide gloves and small masks as standard but this has been reviewed in light of feedback and preference amongst engineers. Therefore "Portable electronic Powered Air-fed Turbo Respirator Units and full face visor and head cover masks (effective against Gas, Vapours and particulates) will now be provided. These units have a visual and audible alarm in case of low battery. Smaller standard masks will be provided on request if an Engineer prefers that type. The equipment provided is of a high specification.

The question of full protective suits was considered but it was concluded that these suits would afford little or no protection to contaminated clothing etc in relation to the possible release of a biological agent which may have already dispersed throughout the building via the forced air circulation system. Gloves and Respirators would provide the main, important protection against inhalation and cutanious risk. Likewise the use of full anti-radiation or chemical protective suits will not be required as the "Exploranium Radioactivity Detector" and "Smiths Lightweight Chemical Detector" will detect hazardous material at a level lower than that required to cause injury. As soon as the detector Alarm sounds, the Engineer approaches no further and backs away to refer the matter to Central Postal Control. However in light of feedback and preference from some engineers, Coveralls will now be provided on request to those who want them. The review has included consultations with HSE/HSL and the Police National CBRNE Team.

Training and Refresher Training

Full training on the use of the hand held detection technology is provided to Engineers who volunteer and the CWU is strongly encouraging all our engineering members to volunteer for the training in the use of the kit.

Refresher training has been set up so that any new volunteers or those that want to refresh themselves can book training through the PALMS system as part of their development needs. Training will be carried out at Coton House, Rugby or on site if 6 or more staff attend and its lasts around 4 hours. The training course name is "CBRN Hand Held Equipment" and its ID is Technical 0015. The programme has now been commenced and courses have been running through April May and June with two courses this month July and two more planned for September (7th and 21st).

Video Support material

A video film is also available to support the Work Time Listening & Learning (WTLL) sessions. The details of how to access the Video is contained in the WTLL briefings.

Deployment Plan
The final phase of the deployment has commenced and it is intended to complete the deployment of hand held technology to all mail centres during 2009. It is necessary to train both engineers and the operational PICs at each site before the site can go live.

Attached find copies of the recently released Royal Mail Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) session briefings for mail centre Opps staff and for Engineers.

This equipment has been deployed and is "live" at the following mail centres:

Anglia Region
Cambridge
Ipswich
Romford
Watford

South East Region
Croydon
Gatwick
Jubilee
Tonbridge

LondonRegion
London Central Mount Pleasant
London East (Bow)
London South Nine Elms

Scotland Region
Aberdeen
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Inverness

North East Region
Bradford
Leeds
Middlesborough
Newcastle

North WestRegion
Carlisle
Manchester
Preston

Northern Ireland Region
Belfast
Belfast NIMC


Midlands Region
Birmingham
Coventry
Leicester
Milton Keynes
Northampton
Nottingham
Wolverhampton
Worcester

South West Region
Bristol
Dorset
Exeter
Plymouth
Portsmouth
Southampton
Thames Valley Region
Gloucester
Greenford
Swindon

Wales Region
Cardiff
Swansea

The equipment has been deployed at the following mail centres but is not "live" until operational managers have had their briefing session:

Anglia Region
Stevenage

South East Region
Canterbury
Dartford
Maidstone

North East Region
Darlington

North West Region
Bolton

South West Region
Truro

Thames ValleyRegion
Hemel Hempstead

The equipment deployment is being planned for the following mail centres:

Anglia Region
Chelmsford
Norwich
Peterborough
Southend

North East Region
Doncaster
Hull
Sheffield
York

Midlands Region
Derby

Wales Region
Chester
Shrewsbury
Consumables
A list of required consumables related to the CBRNE equipment has been established. These items can be ordered through the e-Procurement system.

Servicing and Calibration

A schedule has been put together to help manage the servicing of the handheld equipment, including the incident response boxes.

What should we do if we notice a spillage of liquid or powder from a mail item

As at present if you notice any spillage of liquid or powder or suspect any package or item, immediately set it down on a firm surface or leave it untouched as appropriate, warn your immediate colleagues and notify the nearest manager.

Bio-labs

Following a review of the CBRNE programme, it has been decided to suspend installation of bio-lab test rooms and to withdraw the bio-threat test equipment already deployed for the following reasons;

1] A new government National Network of CBRNE capable Laboratories is now in place and functioning, and will conduct tests on suspicious materials reported to the Police (the testing process is initiated by the Police National CBRNE centre).
2] The Police National CBRNE Centre has been tasked with coordinating and improving the police response to "white powder" incidents.
3] Some engineers found the initial training difficult, and the infrequent nature of a bio-lab testing led to uncertainty that a real test could be conducted effectively with confidence.

The CBRNE steering group at its December 2008 meeting, acknowledged this decision and supported the decommissioning and removal of the mini bio-labs.

The sites with the installed bio test lab rooms are HWDC, Southampton, Plymouth, Newcastle, Bristol, Nine Elms, Croydon and Belfast. Each of the above mail centres have been contacted directly to discuss next steps and time-scales for the removal of the equipment.

Vehicle Portal Radiation Detection Trials

RM Engineering have identified a technology that enables Royal Mail to detect and identify radiological material entering the pipeline. Radioactive materials have many legitimate uses, but could be misused by terrorists to cause harm.
This Vehicle Portal Radiation Detection technology will be trialled at HWDC and Newcastle and Plymouth. Building works at HWDC and Newcastle has been completed. Work at Plymouth will commence shortly.

Consideration is also being given to Parcelforce Coventry Hubs receiving the Vehicle Portal Radiation Detection equipment.

The trial will collect data from vehicles passing through the detector system to establish the effectiveness of the portal. The portal system detects radiation and is passive. It does NOT increase or produce background radiation. During the trial the number of activations will be monitored, and the mail item causing the system activation identified. See attached copies of the Vehicle Portal Detection Equipment Process and Instructions documents.

Key Messages
* The threat of a terrorist attack remains real. Whilst it is not possible to predict its timing or severity, the top priority for the Union is to do all we possibly can to ensure the employer and government agencies do all they can to protect postal workers by ensuring robust response policies and systems are in place. This means considering the use of latest technology and ensuring Royal Mail's arrangements are kept constantly under review, ensuring we keep abreast of emerging expert evidence and advice.
* Royal Mail is in the vanguard of Postal Administrations worldwide in preparing for terrorist attacks using the Postal system by strengthening our countermeasures to ensure we have the necessary technology and procedures, to protect the workforce if the worst were to happen.
* Nothing is more important in Royal Mail than the safety of our members. In the past we have had a number of incidents where liquid or powder has spilled from the mail and only subjective guidance was available. £8.5 million worth of equipment is now being installed in mail centres to ensure that suspect spilled substances can we be quickly tested and positively identified. The Detection kit and tasks involved in operating it will make Royal Mail a far Safer place by providing the ability to detect any potential radiological or chemical hazard at a level of exposure well within safe limits, very quickly and in most cases confirm a powder substance is harmless, thereby dispelling the fear of not knowing what it is. Conversely if people have been harmed or contaminated it will ensure that prompt action can be initiated before people fall ill. Although relatively rare, there are occasions when burst packets, parcels or letters spill out suspicious materials - commonly known as a "white powder" incident. In the overwhelming number of these events, the suspicious material is proven to be harmless. However, the incident does cause concern and leads to disruption. To improve our response to "white powder" incidents, CBRNE detection equipment is being deployed to mail centres to assist in the management of liquid and powder spills as part of the businesses agreed commitment to the safety of the workforce.
* RME and Royal Mail have been working closely with the Cabinet Office and the Health Protection Agency (HPA), National Counter-Terrorism Security Office and Police National CBRNE Team due to the terrorist threats facing the UK.


Royal Mail Engineering CBRNE Contacts:

Dr. Asha Patel-Evans, Royal Mail Engineering - Mobex: 5367 2856 Mobile: 07730734584
Dr. Dave Coward, Royal Mail Engineering - Mobex: 5363 4147 Mobile: 07860338160
Yours Sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[stokes11eg]

Bags I the spectrometer, sounds like something from star-trek.Are all D.O's to get this equipment, or will our office brush and shovel be enough?