Bomb Threat

GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR RESPONSE

Where uncertainty exists it is better to over react to the situation than under react. It is understood that the decision to evacuate could impact wages of work force, schedule and sensitive on-going activities (i.e. concrete pour). The safety of all personnel takes precedence over all these concerns.

Priorities in Responding to Threats

The safety of all personnel takes precedence in the decision-making process in responding to a threat. Our priorities are:
  1. Safety of people
  2. Protection of property
  3. Maintenance of business operations

Communicate

Summon First Responders
  • Call 9-1-1 and advise them of the nature of the threat
    • In all cases, notification of local law enforcement is a critical first step in all threat responses
Notify Turner Crisis Response Teams

Convene a Bomb Threat Evaluation Team Onsite

  • Turner representation should consist of the typical Turner crisis management team including, but not limited to: the senior Turner person onsite, the senior Turner Superintendent onsite, and the lead EH&S Manager onsite.
  • Include at least one representative from the Client (and property client, if applicable).
  • Include local law enforcement, if time permits. Law enforcement will be better trained and more equipped to assist with threat evaluation and Evacuation planning. While law enforcement may not make final decisions regarding site evacuation, always implement the recommendation of law enforcement.
  • Evaluate the location of your bomb threat evaluation meeting and the Incident Command Center. If the location is within the threat area, an alternate location should be identified.

Evaluate Risk of the Threat

Decide If It Is Necessary to Stop Work, Shelter in Place and / or Fully Evacuate or Partially Site
The senior Turner person or designee on site should determine if partial or full evacuation or if any work-stoppage is required.

If possible and if time permits, solicit and consider additional outside input beyond the project team. As you move through the bomb threat evaluation process, additional review and input may help determine the appropriate response.

The Bomb Threat Evaluation Worksheet and other resources are intended to guide Turner staff and our partners who must determine/take appropriate action to protect people. They are intended to inform and contextualize, not replace, the best judgement and authority of the senior Turner person on site.
Note: Should the senior Turner person onsite perceive imminent danger to any person onsite, emergency evacuation procedures should be implemented immediately.

Respond Promptly and Thoughtfully to the Threat

The senior Turner staff person or qualified designee who has been assigned responsibility will evaluate the threat and determine immediate next steps. Approval of law enforcement, client or off-site Turner leadership is not required when making the decision to stop work and evacuating the site. Protecting people is paramount.

Please note, threat assessments are subjective. Be sure to consider all factors in your assessment including project history and recent events (i.e. potential disgruntled former employees, labor unrest, etc.).

For “Low” level threats, the typical recommended response is to not evacuate the site, conduct a covert search of the affected areas for anything suspicious, document all findings, and contact law enforcement for consultation as required. This type of “low-key” response allows the search team to interview employees quickly and ask about unattended items. For “Medium” level threats, or “High” level threats, a partial or complete evacuation may be warranted.
Range of responses to a bomb threat:
  1. No evacuation and no search
  2. No evacuation and undertake a search of the grounds to identify suspicious items
  3. Partially evacuate site and conduct a search in the vicinity of location identified as area of purported bomb
  4. Fully evacuate site and conduct a search of the site
Please note any search undertaken should be directed by and done in collaboration with trained responders.
Evacuation Procedures
Should Turner perceive imminent danger, significant risk to any person on site or significant uncertainty as to the severity of the threat, evacuation procedures should be implemented.
  • A site evacuation can expose employees to significant additional risks, especially if it is poorly coordinated. Law enforcement should assist with the site evacuation, if time permits.
  • Consider alternate threats (i.e. active shooter scenarios) as well as the possibility of multiple devices or devices placed at the muster point or along the evacuation route. These areas must be inspected and cleared prior to mass evacuation.
  • Consider the sheltering properties of the building itself, relative to the suspected location of a device. Shelter-in-place, partial evacuations, or evacuations to internal shelter locations are very likely to be more effective than a mass evacuation. Consult with Law Enforcement onsite to determine a specific evacuation strategy.
  • If an evacuation is necessary, instruct all site personnel to take their personal belongings with them as they evacuate. This is a critical step to allow an effective follow up search.
  • Preserve all evidence of written threats and complete a Bomb Threat Incident Report document.

Conducting a Search

  • Always involve law enforcement in follow up search planning and execution for Medium or High threat incidents
  • The smaller the target search area, the more effective the search will be. Be aware that a thorough search of a large construction site is extremely impractical and time consuming. Tip: if the threat does not provide any specific information to limit or guide the search, it is likely not a “Medium” or “High” threat
  • It is okay to use radio/cell communications during the search but exercise “radio discipline” around potential bomb devices
  • Search with two-person teams, follow a logical and methodical search path, and communicate to incident command as areas are cleared
  • If appropriate, involve Turner superintendent(s) that are knowledgeable about the search areas; law enforcement will not know what is or isn’t unusual or suspicious onsite
  • Only trained bomb squad personnel should approach or touch suspicious items

Identifying Suspicious and Unattended Items

Not all unattended items are suspicious items. Generally anything that is hidden, obviously out of place or not typical should be deemed suspicious. Usually, items left in conspicuous areas such as on seats, in a restroom, next to a phone booth or vending machine are simply forgotten or discarded items.

What makes an item suspicious? Any unattended item:
  • That is incongruous to that location (e.g., a suitcase at a construction site)
  • That is located in an out-of-the-way place where it is not readily visible
  • That matches something described in a reported threat or has a threatening note attached
  • That has visible wires, batteries, a clock or timer, bottles, tanks or bags attached
  • That is abandoned by someone quickly leaving the area
  • That is unattended and emitting an odor, mist or oily liquid, or leaking a powdery substance

If a suspicious object is discovered, the immediate area should be evacuated. Do not disturb the object in any way and immediately call 9-1-1.

The following items are required to remobilize after an evacuation

  • Confirmation from law enforcement that it is appropriate to resume normal activities
  • Senior Turner person on site recommends resumption of activities
  • Approval of General Manager, Operations Manager or Senior Vice President
  • Confirmation there is a plan to safely remobilize. During site evacuation or during a search of the site, conditions may have changed in a way that can expose work force to risk (i.e. barricades moved or not replaced, etc.)
  • Approval from Client

Media Response

Turner’s communications philosophy promotes proactive interaction with internal and external audiences. To preserve our credibility and reputation, we will be responsive when a reporter contacts the company. A bomb threat / civil unrest event could attract media attention. The General Manager and the Headquarters Communications will draft messages and coordinate the release of information with the Client as necessary.

Please refer to Section 4: Media Management for additional guidance.
RETURN HOME
Privacy Notice