National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AE5 Develop and implement preventive conservation procedures for archaeological items

AE5.1 Specify the appropriate environment in which to maintain and protect items

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Identifying the items' appropriate environmental requirements in accordance with the selected conservation option and plan
2. Monitoring the existing environmental conditions in the intended location accurately over a suitable period
3. Identifying as quickly as possible any evidence that the environment is not suitable for the items
4. Exploring and testing the application and effect of existing and new materials and procedures, and modifying them if necessary
5. Assessing accurately the resources to implement specified procedures and passing details to the relevant people
6. Drawing up specifications and procedures to control and monitor the items' environment in consultation with the appropriate people
7. Determining and implementing suitable specifications for protecting items during use, storage, display or transportation
8. Communicating with building engineers, architects, surveyors and designers of the items' environmental requirements, and establishing monitoring procedures
9. Recording and disseminating recommendations and procedures according to requirements

Occupational Context

1. Environmental requirements
   • controlled temperature/humidity
   • controlled / limited light
   • air quality: clean, pollutant-free
   • protection from pests
   • protection from shock / vibration
   • use of biological and chemical agents
2. Evidence
   • change in composition / coloration / size / shape
   • discharge, radio activity, etc
   • measurements such as temperature
3. Exploring and testing
   • under controlled conditions
   • using accurate measurement and data analysis
   • under appropriate observation/ supervision
   • using appropriate equipment and procedures
4. Relevant people
   • supervisors / managers
   • professional experts / consultants
   • resource suppliers
   • process delivery agents
   • training providers
   • maintenance and support staff
   • researchers
5. Monitoring procedures
   • measuring instruments
   • observation / supervision / inspection
   • regular / frequent / 24hrs
   • in conjunction with security where appropriate
6. Recording and disseminating
   • using a technical information management system / database / telecommunications
   • using formal face to face / interactive reporting
   • through written documentation
   • through graphical / visual / verbal presentation

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Draw up specifications for the control of the item's environment
• Draw up guidelines and procedures for monitoring the item's environment
• Select packaging and display materials, and handling procedures

You need to know about:

Appropriate environments

• The equipment that is available to monitor the environment
• How the location's environment can be accurately monitored, and the principal factors to monitor

Specification and planning

• What is in the conservation plan, and the parameters for action
• The indications that an environment is not suitable for the items
• The factors that need to be considered during transit
• Who are the appropriate people to inform about the items' environment
• The health and safety procedures for the available treatments

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• How to identify the item's appropriate environmental requirements
• setting up procedures for monitoring the item's environment
• How to respond to adverse environmental conditions
• How to assess resources necessary for the implementation of environmental monitoring procedures

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can specify the appropriate environment in which to maintain and protect items

The candidate should be questioned, based upon the documentation provided, to explore how they

• specify the appropriate environment in which to maintain and protect items and collections.

Evidence Rules

The candidate should have been developed and implemented a range of preventive conservation procedures typical to their work area.

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Today's date: 3/9/2010
This page last updated: 6/8/2007 11:58