Providing a Safe Environment Eggs in the WA Museum Ornithology collection. Photo by Kim Sarti. Image copyright WA Museum Museums are people places as well as store houses of objects. When people enter the museum they have a right to expect a safe, clean environment free from hazards. The safety of visitors, staff and volunteers is an important responsibility of management. A simple list of checks will ensure that anyone on the museum site will be protected and that a collection is not put at risk unnecessarily. Risk assessment and disaster preparedness are also important considerations for museum management. Fire Faulty electrical equipment is a significant fire and safety risk. Check that all leads are in good repair – not frayed, taped or mended by an unlicensed person. Ensure that any power leads running from a power point to a piece of equipment is placed behind objects, along a wall or securely taped to the ground so no one can trip over it. Protect children from power points – plug covers are inexpensive and easy to buy. Examine all buildings and decide on a safe fire escape route. The fire escape route must be clearly labelled so that people unfamiliar with the building will be able to find their way out if necessary. Ready made signs are available for sale from sign makers. Gas If gas is available in any part of the site, ensure that there are no leaks and that pipes are in good order. Gas appliances should be checked regularly by a licensed professional. As with any appliance, stop using it immediately if there are any faults or damage to it. Rubbish Check for any debris on the museum site and avoid having rubbish – particularly flammable material – lying around where it may be able fuel a fire. Ensure gutters and drains are kept clear to avoid a build up of water. Water Flooding is a major threat to objects. However, any excess water can be a hazard. Any surface water on paths should be cleaned up immediately, to avoid the hazard of slipping. If water is around for long periods this may encourage the growth of mould. Mould is a major problem for artefacts but is also a health problem for staff and visitors who could inhale spores. Check thoroughly for mould and prevent against the environmental conditions that encourage it by keeping relative humidity to 50 -55%. Check that drains run freely and that down pipes and gutters are clear and in good repair. Check where water pipes run in relation to collection storage and display. Ideally, pipes should run up walls, preferably outside, and not along the ceiling or roof line. General care Check that buildings and grounds are always in good repair. Steps and stairs should be clearly marked so that people can see the edge of each step. Provide an alternative access for those in wheelchairs or with difficulty using stairs. Clear walkways and adequate parking are essential for any building to which the public is invited. Remember to make signs easy to read especially if they carry important information. Good outside lighting is also essential especially if you are likely to have evening events. These can often be on a sensor system and so provide security for the museum as well. Conditions for both visitors and staff should be as pleasant as possible. Comfortable seating, clean toilets and attractive spaces with all necessary equipment provided are the minimum conditions to offer any people in your museum building. All public buildings are required to meet certain laws in relation to safety. It is the museum’s responsibility to do this and to provide insurance cover in the event of an accident. Risk management Risk assessment should be carried out for any new project, event or initiative. For example, a school holiday program or an interactive within a new exhibition should analysed for any potential risks, and now these can be prevented and managed. Risk assessment is a 5 step process: Establish the context: both internal and external to the museum Identify risks: what could go wrong? Assess and analyse risks: What is the likelihood and consequences of the risk occurring? Treat risks: Implement risk controls OR avoid the risk: stop the activity Ongoing monitoring and review Disaster preparedness Develop a Disaster Plan to help prevent, prepare, respond and recover from any disaster such as fire, flood or earthquake. See link below to Heritage Collections Council’s ‘Be Prepared’ publication. References and further reading: Heritage Collections Council, reCollections: Caring for Collections Across Australia: Managing People, ‘Health and Safety’ RiskCover, Can You Risk It?: An introduction to risk management for community organisations, 2003 Queensland Department of Employment & Training, Maintain the condition and security of the institution, a learning resource for Certificate IV in Museum Practice (CULMS408A), 2001. Insurance Commission of Western Australia, RiskCover Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Collections Australia Network, link to Heritage Collections Council’s ‘Be Prepared’ publication, available in PDF format.