Overview

This Standard is about handling and carrying out routine cleaning of cultural heritage. Cultural heritage can refer to objects that are on display or in storage or to historic buildings, structures, sites or settings or their components.

It includes packing or applying protection, and unpacking, or removing it, selecting and testing cleaning methods, carrying out routine cleaning, labelling objects or components and recording actions preparing locations ready for objects or components, and installing them.

This standard is for anyone who is responsible for the routine cleaning of cultural heritage.

 

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. consult previous records to identify the routine cleaning needs of cultural heritage
  2. ensure appropriate packing, protection and security of objects whilst they are being moved
  3. select methods and materials appropriate to the object and the work to be carried out
  4. test cleaning methods for effectiveness before implementing them
  5. handle cultural heritage in line with handling procedures and without compromising its integrity
  6. carry out routine cleaning of cultural heritage in line with care procedures
  7. ensure the suitability of the environment for cultural heritage during handling and cleaning
  8. prepare locations to accommodate cultural heritage in line with care policies
  9. unpack and install cultural heritage in new locations, checking them for signs of damage and deterioration
  10. label cultural heritage for curatorial purposes using appropriate methods and materials
  11. make accurate and clear records of actions in line with organisation procedures, considering implications for future care

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:                       

  1. your organisation's policies, practice and standards
  2. the relevant conservation principles and factors likely to cause damage or deterioration
  3. appropriate conservation judgement and ethics
  4. appropriate environmental conditions for the cultural heritage in your care
  5. standard range of methods and materials for cleaning, handling, packing, labelling, protection and security
  6. how to recognise signs of damage and deterioration
  7. when an object needs support and how it can be provided
  8. the limitations of standard practice and when further advice is needed
  9. the materials required to protect the item
  10. organisational record keeping systems and how to access and use them, the main differences between digital and manual systems and possible problems with them