Material Hazards

A material threat is an unmanned danger such as an unattended package, a hazardous spill, or an explosive device.

Stop - You probably won’t know how dangerous a particular material threat is when you encounter it.

Whether you encounter a material threat or it reaches you by phone (e.g., a bomb threat), take it seriously.

Assess - Gather information to relay to law enforcement and those with a need to know:

If you encounter a material threat directly:

Identify what it was about the object/substance or circumstances that aroused your unease.
Widen your focus and observe who and what is near the object/substance.
Identify an escape route.

If you receive a threat over the phone:

Notice whether the caller sounds credible, knowledgeable about the subject of the threat (e.g., the explosive device), or familiar with its location.
Listen carefully, noting particulars of the threat along with any information you can pick up about the caller.
- What are the caller’s demands?
- What caller ID is displayed on the phone console?
- When is the event threatened to take place?
- Can you hear background noise that might help identify the location of the caller?
- What is the caller’s gender and approximate age?
- Does the caller have an identifiable accent, speech pattern, or speech impediment?

React - Act responsibly and remember to choose safety first.

Material Threat:

Don’t touch a suspicious object/substance. Leave it be and warn others to do the same.
Immediately distance yourself and others from the threat.
Report your concerns to law enforcement and to those with a need to know.
- Call 911 from a land line because mobile devices can be used to trigger an adverse reaction.
- Call your local security office.
- Follow instructions of authorities.

Phone Threat:

Alert a colleague to call 911 for help and then notify your local Security office.