There was a White Powder scare at the ANU today…..
Colleagues,
A note to let you know that at about 12:00 noon today, a bag containing a white powder was discovered in Building 10A (Human Resources). The appropriate procedures were followed, and the powder subsequently found not to be toxic.
The relevant authorities now conduct more sophisticated tests to identify the composition of the powder. These tests will take a couple of days to complete.
With respect to the staff, those in the building at the time the bag was discovered were allowed out but were kept together until the test result was returned. They have been advised to contact their doctor in the unlikely event that unusual symptoms appear during the next couple of days. I suggest the same action be taken by anybody in the building between 3:30pm Friday and noon today. I stress that this comment is based on the standard advice of the relevant authorities.
Notwithstanding this event so early in 2007, I take this opportunity to wish you all a healthy(!), happy and enjoyable year. I suspect that it will be, as they say, interesting since education, and maybe higher education, appears to be looming as an election issue.
Best wishes,
Ian Chubb
Vice-Chancellor
[ED – Ainslie 76 added the following:
“A mysterious bag of white powder was discovered in the Human Resource building at ANU today around 12 noon. The relevant authorities we contacted and staff evacuated from the building according to procedure. The powder was found to be non toxic, but further more extensive tests are being carried out to determine the nature of the powder. Staff and anyone who was in the building from 3:30 pm Friday have been advised to seek medical attention if any unusual symptoms occur. “]