Collection Disaster Plan

Part 1 - Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Policy

Section 5: What to do when you Discover a Threat to Collection Material

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What to do when you Discover a Threat to Collection Material
This page tells you what to do if you discover an incident or emergency situation that has caused or may cause damage to collection material and can include water leaks, flood, high dust levels, mould, vandalism, insect attack and equipment malfunction. Please keep it in a prominent place, ready to use.

Immediate Actions

When you discover an emergency situation involving collection material:

Assess the situation to ensure correct and safe response actions noting: -

  • source of disaster
  • if collection material is affected
  • if the area is safe

Inform people who need to know urgently:

  • Security
  • Building and Security Services Help Desk
  • Preservation Services
  • Your Supervisor
  • Exhibition Registrar - if Exhibition areas affected.

Evacuation of Material

To reduce risk of damage and ensure security Collection material should not be evacuated from storage without the express direction of the Director General, an Assistant DG, a member of EPC, or the Collections Disaster Coordinator.

If it is safe to do so, take short term urgent action to protect the collections.

Short Term Actions

Protect affected and threatened collection material by:

  • stopping the source of the problem where possible
  • not handling or moving affected collection material
  • preventing problems such as water leaks and dust affecting the collections by
  • covering collections with plastic sheeting,
  • containing water with bins, buckets, mops, squeegees and absorbent materials

Supplies to assist in protection of collection material are available from your nearest Local Emergency Supply Cabinet or wheelie bin. Cabinets are located in back lift lobbies of LG2, LG1, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and the 4th floors, in the loading bay and at both Warehouses. The Ground floor store is a specially identified cupboard in the staff area.

Wheelie bins are located on the 2nd floor behind the front lifts, 3rd floor work area, LG1 work areas.

Know your actions - use your initiative

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