Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Opportunities to develop, update and maintain knowledgeof preservation issues and concepts may include:
research
attendance at seminars, workshops
membership of professional organisations
using conservator as a mentor
reading current journals, newsletters and electronic discussion lists

Basic preservation activities will vary depending on the type of cultural material, but may include:
surface cleaning
designing/making storage enclosures and display supports
attaching backboards to paintings
creating hanging systems for paintings
mounting and framing

Activities must be undertaken in accordance with advice from a specialist conservator to avoid potential damage to cultural material.

Organisational plans and policies vary in structure and name but may include:
preservation plans
conservation plans
collection management policies
disaster preparedness policies

Cultural material is defined as 'objects, collections, artworks, specimens, structures or sites' and includes:
archaeological material
books and manuscripts
cultural sites/buildings
ethnographic material
flora and fauna
film/audiovisual material
furniture
photographs
technological/industry items
textiles
works on paper/canvas

Health, safety and environmental requirements may relate to:
use of chemicals or other toxic substances
storage of chemicals
provision and use of safety equipment
safe manual handling
safe use of tools and equipment
reporting of occupational health and safety issues, including events and near misses
impact on other parts of the collection
toxic and hazardous materials in a collection
condition/stability of item (dirt, mould, dust and pesticides)


Cultural protocols may relate to:
who can handle the cultural material
where an item may be handled
when an item may be handled
consultation on potential treatments
storage requirements
appearance of the item
relationship between item and other material in the collection
methods and approaches to display

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
sound general knowledge of preservation techniques relevant to the collection/industry sector
understanding of conservation ethics and cultural protocols, including limitations on the scope of work to be undertaken
practical demonstration of competent and safe techniques working on one or more items under the guidance of a conservator.


Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to cultural material
access to equipment, materials and tools used in basic preservation activities.


Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
assessment of cultural material on which the candidate has worked
direct observation of the candidate using techniques
evaluation of candidate's responses to different collection scenarios to assess ability to develop approaches for different preservation needs and articulate different challenges and issues to be considered
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of different techniques and procedures.



Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULMS009B Implement preventive conservation activities.