Threat Protection: Keep up to date with training.

Having the right technology in your organisation to screen incoming mail items is one thing, but if your team’s training isn’t regularly kept up to date you can quickly become exposed.

A number of training courses exist such as Operator Training, Suspect Package Training, Radiation Protection Supervisor Training and Simulated Threat Device kits.

Operator Training

Operator training usually takes place immediately after installation and commissioning of a new device or during annual service visits by engineers, however, sometimes it’s appropriate to arrange training for new or temporary employees. This training is an interactive session conducted on the machine and typically lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Key Learnings

• The basic operation of the unit
• Special features i.e. image enhancement tools
• Guide to identification of suspect packages
• “Actions” on finding a suspect package
• Regulatory compliance – Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 (IRR99)
• Health & Safety
• Fault finding

Who should attend?

• All mailroom and security staff that use the X-ray scanning equipment on a regular basis.
• All nominated users should be trained, ideally in groups not exceeding 8 people.

Please note, this training is not a substitute for the Suspect Package Training Course. It is an introduction on how to use the equipment and its capabilities

Suspect Package Training

The aim of this course is to educate and inform staff about modern-day terrorist threats in incoming mail and front of house operations. It is designed to equip attendees with the necessary skills for intelligent suspect package recognition and subsequent risk management.

Key Learnings

• Threat assessment, the profile of a terrorist and typical methodology
• The different types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
• Detailed makeup and construction of an IED
• Recommended actions to be taken upon the discovery of a suspected IED (as taught to the Police)
• Information required by the emergency services
• Chemical, Biological & Radiological (CBR) devices and materials
• Recommended actions to be taken upon discovery of suspected CBR devices or materials
• Specific information regarding a CBRN incident required by the emergency services
• A confirmation exercise
• Prevention and detection measures

Who should attend?

• Staff with responsibility for risk management, contingency planning, facilities management or security management, including front of house staff and security personnel
• Staff tasked with the responsibility for handling incoming mail from postal operators or private carriers, such as the front of house staff, post room staff, security personnel, receptionists, internal messengers, secretaries, personal assistants and porters

Radiation Protection Supervisor

Employers have a responsibility to restrict exposures to all staff working with or near an X-Ray device. To ensure robust management of radiation safety, it is prudent to appoint one or more individuals as Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS). This course will equip your RPS with a good appreciation of radiation risk, focusing on practical measures for protecting operators and staff.

Key Learnings

• The duties of the RPS for ensuring on-going safety
• The nature of the X-ray hazard, the magnitude of the operational risk, the controls and safety features built into the device
• Ionising radiations: Types of radiation; radioactive decay; units of activity; half-life; energies; sealed sources; radiation; X-ray scanning equipment; properties of the radiations – by demonstration
• Radiation dose and effects on health: Dose quantities and units; background exposures; benchmarks of dose; immediate and long-term effects on health; statutory dose limits and the ALARP principle
• Principles of protection: Time, distance, shielding; the ‘inverse square law’; duties given to the RPS for ensuring both regulatory compliance and optimal radiation safety in the use of the postal scanner
• Management of radiation safety: Protection of persons by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 with reference to your postal scanner

Who should attend?

• At least one person in the mailroom, facilities management or security who is responsible for the safe functioning of your X-ray scanner
• Anyone who has responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the people in your organisation

Simulated Threat Device Kits

A Simulated threat device kit provides a great addition to support regular onsite training and internal refreshers, promoting awareness and ensuring necessary attention to the screening role.

Included in the Simulated Threat Device Kit

• Party Popper Postal IED
• Sugar Chlorate/DVD bomb
• White Powder Device
• Birthday Card Device
• Clothes Peg Activated IED
• Slashing Device
• Micro Switch IED