Mailing Systems Technology - July/August 2008 - (Page 20)

Management Training Developing an effective approach to mail screening program training By Marshall Keith James normal training programs, which tend to be scripted and planned out months — if not years — in advance, mail screening programs function in a world where the threat is subject to constant change and evolution. While ﬁxed training on key topics such as the proper use of protective equipment or ﬁre and electrical safety can be delivered on a scheduled basis, training that covers new protocols or emergent threats are a must — and need to be prepared and delivered on very short notice. Developing the Most Effective Training Program Successful programs center on comprehensive training plans, designed to meet the needs of the speciﬁc facility. A key to executing this lies with assessments, which need to be conducted early in the program development process by program managers, team leaders and facility representatives. These focus on identifying training requirements that are common to other programs, or operational or technical issues unique to the speciﬁc program under consideration. Common requirements such as the proper use of personal protective equipment, respiratory training and general safety can be based on other or similar programs. Program speciﬁc requirements are normally driven by the type of technology being employed at the facility and, more often, by the operational and technical requirements set forth by the customer. Following the development of speciﬁc training requirements, program managers and customer representatives need to work together to develop a tailored training plan and identify workable training methods. This is crucial since it deﬁnes basic training elements such as scheduling, delivery techniques, validation methods and reinforcement periodicity. Additionally, the selection of training methods should consider the environment at hand, and the fact that a blended approach — that includes formal (classroom), demonstrative (hands on) and on-the-job training — is often the only way to reinforce process learning and validate understanding. In CBRNE detection, there are no “one and done” training requirements. Because of the inherent dangers associated with screening each and every element passing through a facility, the training program will require constant reinforcement both in the classroom and on the job. The Key Requirements — What Cannot Be Ignored Generally speaking, most programs share ﬁve critical training elements followed by multiple unique requirements. These common threads include general safety, equipment safety, emergency protocols, HAZMAT awareness and security. Underestimating their importance can be a huge mistake. These are the areas that require the most reinforcement and validation, as staﬀ members generally fall back on this training at some level every day. This is also where employee reactions in emergency situations are built, checked and reinforced for optimal protection. top it off with S hortly after the Anthrax attacks of 2001, federal agencies opened a variety of mail screening facilities throughout the Capitol region designed speciﬁcally to safeguard government personnel and property from attacks by chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) threats. With a small number of solutions speciﬁcally designed for mail screening, most facilities adapted technologies and protocols developed by scientiﬁc and medical laboratories for the detection of biotoxin threats. Such technologies are generally operator-intensive and depend on highly skilled technicians using well-deﬁned protocols — illustrating the importance comprehensive training programs have in keeping individuals, businesses and the way of life safe from harm. Training for Tomorrow’s Threats, Today As today’s threats expand, and carry a more potentially devastating aura, facilities need to place the focus around a unique trinity of quality technology, process-speciﬁc protocols and welldeﬁned and continuously updated training practices. Facility managers need to understand the relationship that each element has with the other and how quality is as important as quantity and the screening team, not the technology, is the driving force behind a program’s success. The key to any proactive training program is communication. This is never more applicable than in the mail screening industry. Unlike 20 JULY-AUGUST 2008 | WWW.MAILINGSYSTEMSTECHNOLOGY.COM http://www.mailingsystemstechnology.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Mailing Systems Technology - July/August 2008

Mailing Systems Technology - July/August 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Peer to Peer The Economics of Inkjet Addressing Virtual Mailstream Management Guarding Your Internal Documents Top It Off With Training Implementing Digital Mail Saving You Money Kate’s Slate Products & Services Advertiser Index Sho Time Who’s Who Company Profiles BCC Software BÖWE BELL + HOWELL Collins Ink Corporation Datatech SmartSoft Endicia Hasler, Inc. Kern, Inc. Kirk-Rudy Mail Quip, Inc. MCS, Inc. Melissa Data MidSouth Technologies, a NPI Company Neopost NPI Parascript Pitney Bowes Inc. Rena Systems Satori Software, Inc.

Mailing Systems Technology - July/August 2008

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