Rules for Handling Objects

# 1AVOID wearing

anything that might damage objects by scratching or snagging the surface, such as rings and other jewelry, watches, belt buckles, name tags and service badges.

Rules for Handling Objects

# 2NEVER smoke, eat or

drink around the objects. Hot coffee mugs can mar surfaces and food particles attract pests.

Rules for Handling Objects

# 3Handle collection

objects ONLY when necessary.

Museum educators will use replicas in their demonstrations.

Rules for Handling Objects

# 4LOOK carefully at an

object before lifting.Ask yourself: Is the surface fragile? Are there any clues to

make me think it is damaged?

Where am I going to put the object?

Rules for Handling Objects

# 5

Use BOTH HANDS to lift an object.

Rules for Handling Objects

# 6

If an object is in a container, lift ONLY

the container

Rules for Handling Objects

# 7

WEAR GLOVES when lifting objects.

Rules for Handling Objects

#8

Wash your hands before putting on cotton gloves. Oils and acids can soak through gloves.

Rules for Handling Objects

And Most important…#9

If you break something, tell the Curator.

                                                                                             

Handling and Moving Furniture

General Guidelines

Moving and Handling Furniture

Before picking up a piece of furniture, determine how it is put together and if any of its parts are removable or detachable. These are removed and packed separately. Make sure you know where the furniture is it’s the strongest generally along a major element- and try to carry from these points.

Moving and Handling Furniture

Never hurry when moving furniture. Scratches, dents and gouges from bumps against hand trucks, doorways, and other furniture are always more likely in haste, and without sufficient manpower present.

Moving and Handling Furniture

Examine the room and the route whereby the furniture will be moved. Look around so you know where everything is and look for potential trouble. Light fixture that are too low, or glass tops that are also easily damaged when bumped. Clear the way by moving these fragile or obstructive items.

Be sure to pad the furniture to reduce risk to it and the surrounding area.

Moving and Handling Furniture

Make sure you have a firm grip on the piece with both hands. Do NOT wear cotton gloves. Furniture is usually highly polished and slick. It is essential that hands not slip from the piece while its being moved. Latex surgical gloves work well as well as clean, dry, bare hands.

Moving and Handling Furniture

Never slide or drag furniture along the floor. The vibration can loosen or break joints, chip feet, break legs, etc., to say nothing of what dragging does to the carpeting or finish on the floor. Whenever possible, use trolley or dollies for transporting heavy pieces.

Moving and Handling Furniture

Handling valuable furniture requires a special attitude: in general, movement should be carried out at a slower pace.

Remember: If you don’t break it, it doesn’t have to be fixed.

Here are some quick tips for moving furniture properly:

• Just as gymnasts work with “spotters” to catch them when they misstep, have helpers on hand to guide the movers away from obstacles.

• Anticipate trouble; think everything through; plan ahead.

• Make sure the route is clear, including loose carpeting that can hinder dollies or trip up feet.

Packing Materials

The “Good” Materials

Ethafoam

Ethafoam is a strong, resilient, medium-density, closed-cell polyethylene foam

which is acceptable for use in the preservation of historic objects. It is available in white and black. Sold in planks 1 in., 2 in. and 4 in. thick, it is an ideal material to

use to cushion and protect fragile items.

Ethafoam

One advantage of Ethafoam is that it can be cut with a shapeable cutter to properly cradle odd shaped objects.

Ethafoam

Ethafoam sheeting comes in rolls with thickness of 1/8-1/4 inches, excellent for wrapping delicate objects and lining storage shelves.

Tyvek

Tyvek is already used in a number of conservation storage methods especially textiles and papers. This protective material has high tensile/tear strength in all directions because its constituent fibers are spun-bonded. The relatively slick surface is a further barrier and prevents fragile maps snagging.

Acid-free tissue

Any thin, semi-translucent paper. Tissue into a variety of forms from soft or glazed and paper is lightweight and weighs less than 25 grams per square meter. Tissue papers are made any type of paper pulp buffered or unbuffered.

Buffered and acid-free tissue papers are used in archival storage.

                              

Twill tape

A strong, twill-woven fabric tape used for edging fabrics and tying boxes. Cotton twill tape is strong and inert. It has also been used for labeling objects and specimens.

Blue Board An acid and lignin free

cardboard. Archival corrugated board is typically buffered with 3% calcium carbonate. It maintains a pH of 7.5-9.5.

Comes in pre-made boxes or sheets to create custom sizes

Gloves

Four we can use

Lint-free cotton gloves Lint-free cotton gloves are for the

handling and protection of archival

material. They are especially handy

when working with delicate material,

including photographic works.

Microdot gloves MicroDot gloves are

made of cotton and feature tiny PVC dots across the surface of

the palm, which provides a firmer grip on objects in transit. They are

not suggested for use with metal

objects.

Latex surgical gloves latex gloves also have a

slightly tacky texture which makes gripping instruments and objects easier. The only downside to latex exam gloves is that they are made from natural latex rubber, a protein-based compound known to cause allergic reactions and irritations in some people.

                   

Nitril gloves

Nitril gloves offer a wide range of solvent resistance, but are not recommended for use with ketones.

These are for those allergic to latex.

Packing Materials

The “bad” materials

Acidic cardboard

Wood-pulp paper board, corrugated or plain. May be bleached white. Produces organic acids as lignin as it deteriorates. Will stain and weaken organic objects and corrode metals.

Nylon

Although highly resistant to solvents, nylon deteriorates in the presence of oxygen and light. Ammonia is created as it deteriorates.

Polyurethane foam

Commonly found as yellow or gray soft foam, it is used as seat cushions. The foam yellows and disintegrates into a friable, acidic, sticky mass that is no longer able to absorb shocks.

END