National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AE6 Apply preventive care procedures to archaeological items

AE6.2 Monitor and modify the environment and the condition of an item

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Establishing suitable procedures for monitoring and maintaining the environment and the condition of the item
2. Carrying out procedures for monitoring and maintaining the environment of the item according to specification
3. Identifying as quickly as possible any evidence of instability or change in the item and any other indications that the environment is not suitable for it, and take appropriate action
4. Taking appropriate action when specifications for the environmental protection and condition of items are not being met
5. Ensuring the records of the monitoring process are clear and accurate

Occupational Context

1. Monitoring
   • measuring instruments
   • observation / supervision / inspection
   • regular / frequent / 24hrs
   • in conjunction with security where appropriate
2. Environment of the item
   • temperature
   • light
   • air quality
   • stability / vibration
   • chemically un/ treated
3. Instability or change
   • change in composition / coloration / size / shape
   • discharge, radio activity, etc
   • measurements such as temperature

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know about:

Modifying environmental conditions of an item

• The existing recommendations for the item
• How the environment can be accurately monitored, and the principal factors to monitor
• The indications that the environment is not suitable for the item
• What action can be taken if the environment is not suitable for the item
• Who are the appropriate people to inform of any problems
• The implications of an inappropriate environment

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Contingent planning

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can monitor and modify the environment and the condition of an item

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

• monitor and modify the environment and the condition of an item.

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: 7/9/2010
This page last updated: 6/8/2007 11:58