GUIDELINES FOR THE CURATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS
PREAMBLE
With the normal range of responsibilities of a geological curator there are a
number of hazards. Failure to acquaint oneself with the inherently dangerous
properties of all the materials handled in the museum, to foresee those situations
where risk of injury is likely, or to observe the simple rules of safety could lead to
substantial damage to property and person. Current health and safety legislation
to some extent controls those aspects of a work environment which are the
responsibility of employers and stresses the requirement for the employee's
individual responsibility for safety in the workplace. This part aims to cover the
major area of general safety (Dl) radioactivity (D2.1) toxic materials (D2.2) and
physically dangerous materials (D2.2.2).
MUSEUM SAFETY
Accidents to people are mostly restricted to physical damage resulting from falls,
dropping heavy objects or strains in consequence of attempting to lift something
incorrectly or which is too heavy. Many of these accidents could be avoided by
care and attention to the various recommendations of the Back Pain Association
(for lifting), the Health and Safety Commission or Local Environmental Health
committees.
There is a great variety of special handling and lifting equipment available on
the market and by planning storage with such equipment in mind it is possible to
eliminate the need to lift heavy objects by hand. It has to be remembered that
certain equipment needs to be certificated at regular intervals by local councils,
the DOE, etc. The British Standards Institute issues standards of safety for
equipment.
Accidents can be reduced by adequate lighting, appropriate to the area
concerned, including emergency lighting. The Illuminating Engineers Society
published (e.g. 1977) specifications for lighting levels. Discipline in keeping
corridors and spaces between storage units free of objects, the marking of
particularly heavy objects or drawers, and the putting away of specimens into
proper storage all help in reducing accidents both to people and the specimens.
HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION
The field of occupational health and safety is now so extensive that it would be
inappropriate to attempt more than a brief introduction to the subject here,
Extensive bibliographies on health hazards, their relevant legislation and protective
equipment are readily available from a number of sources. For further
information the safety officer of the local authority should be consulted, and the
curator should be aware of the Safety Policy of his authority. See also the
Barbour microfile and Fife & Machin (1982).
1.1.1. Safety legislation
The 'Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974' deals with the safety and welfare
of all those at work, the functions of the Employment Medical Advisory Service,