National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AE6 Apply preventive care procedures to archaeological items

AE6.1 Control the environment to preserve and protect an item

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Identifying the item's environmental requirements in accordance with the conservation 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 item
4. Determining and implement suitable methods to modify the item's environment where necessary
5. Implementing procedures for the handling and physical protection of the item
6. Recording and disseminating descriptions of all actions taken to recover control of the item's environment, making recommendations where necessary
7. Consulting a conservation specialist when further action is required

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. Suitable period
   • Suitable for the monitoring requirements
   • Suitable for the item's stability
   • Suitable for the available resources
3. Handling and physical protection
   • Concerning fragility of the item
   • concerning stability of the item
   • concerning movement and transfer
   • concerning safety and security
   • concerning environmental conditions
   • concerning human error

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

You need to know about:

The item

• The existing recommendations for the item
• The indications that an environment is not suitable for the item

The Environment, location and physical situation

• How the environment can be accurately monitored, and the principal factors to monitor
• The equipment available to monitor the environment, and how to use it

Protection Strategies and Procedures

• Who are the appropriate people to inform about the item's environment
• Why it is important to keep appropriate records
• What could be considered to be suitable packing, storage and display materials
• The appropriate handling requirements

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Observation skills and attention to detail
• Dexterity in handling unstable items
• Communication
• Accurate measuring and data analysis skills

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can control the environment to preserve and protect an item

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

• modify the environment to preserve and protect items that are moderately degraded

Evidence Rules

The candidate should have been involved in applying preventive care procedures to a range of items typical to their work area

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Today's date: 22/11/2008
This page last updated: 6/8/2007 10:58