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This document provides interim recommendations for workers involved
in mail sorting, distribution and handling in state, county and
local public facilities.
Housekeeping
Controls
Housekeeping
measures reduce the spread of B. anthracis spores and personal protective
equipment to prevent worker exposure. Areas should be wet-cleaned
and/or vacuumed with HEPA filter equipped vacuum cleaners.
Do not dry sweep or dust.
Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
Gloves
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Protective gloves will be available to all workers handling mail
(e.g., envelopes and packages).
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Different gloves or layers of gloves may be needed depending on
the task, the dexterity required and the type of protection needed.
In some cases, workers may need to wear cotton gloves under impermeable
gloves for comfort and to prevent dermatitis. Skin rashes and
other dermatological conditions are a potential hazard of wearing
gloves.
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Gloves will be provided in a range of sizes to ensure proper fit.
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The choice of glove material (e.g., powder-free nitrile, vinyl)
will be based on safety, fit, durability and comfort.
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Latex gloves should Not be worn because of the risk of developing
skin sensitivity or allergy.
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Care must be taken to avoid touching skin, eyes, or other mucous
membranes since contaminated gloves may transfer B. anthracis
spores to other body sites.
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Gloves should be discarded if they are visibly torn or damaged.
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Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water when gloves
are removed, before eating and when replacing torn or worn gloves.
Soap and water will wash away most spores that my have contacted
the skin. Disinfectant solutions are not needed. Do not rely on
alcohol-based hand cleaners, as these cleaners will not remove
spores as well as soap and water.
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Used or torn gloves can be discarded in regular trash.
Respiratory
Protection
NIOSH
approved N or P 100 filtering facepiece (dust mask) respirators
will be available for employees to minimize risk.
How
to Recognize and Handle a Suspicious Package or Envelope
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