Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Environmental conditions may relate to:
incorrect or inappropriate handling of material
lighting
pests
pollution
relative humidity
temperature.
Collection material is defined as objects, collections, artworks, specimens, structures or sites, and includes:
archaeological material
audiovisual material
books and manuscripts
cultural sites and buildings
ethnographic material
film
flora and fauna
furniture
glass plates
oral histories
photographs
technological and industry items
textiles
works on paper and canvas.
Condition of collection material may be assessed by:
comparison with existing condition reports, such as photographic images
examination with instruments, such as:
magnifying glass
microscope
raking light
ultraviolet (UV) light
measurement and comparison of known areas of deterioration, such as:
areas of loss
cracks
observation.
Appropriate location may be:
darkroom
during transport
in display area
in situ, for example, outdoors
laboratory
storage room
studio
workshop.
Deterioration patterns may be linked to:
climate
deterioration of item prior to arrival, with archaeological collections, for example
impact of light
influence of human activities
inherent vice
materials used for storage and display
nature and location of the building or site
pests
pollution
relative humidity
security considerations
temperature
transport and packing.
Preventive conservation activities may include:
framing and deframing
implementation of the disaster preparedness plan
integrated pest management
monitoring and documentation/recording
noninterventionist actions to combat agents of deterioration
protective storage/boxing
reformatting
relocation.
Cultural protocols may relate to:
appearance of items
consultation on potential treatments
methods and approaches to display
relationship between items and other material in the collection
storage requirements
when items may be handled
where items may be handled
who can handle the cultural material
who can view the cultural material.
Health, safety, sustainability and disaster management policies and procedures may relate to:
condition and stability of items relating to such factors as:
dirt
dust
mould
pesticides
impact on other parts of the collection
provision and use of safety equipment
reporting of work health and safety issues, including events and near misses
safe manual handling
safe use of tools and equipment
storage of chemicals
toxic and hazardous materials in collections
use of chemicals or other toxic substances.
Develop, update and maintain knowledgemay include:
attending seminars and workshops
mentoring arrangements
membership of professional organisations
reading current journals, newsletters and electronic discussion lists
research.
Basic preservation activities may include:
attaching backboards to paintings
creating hanging systems for paintings
designing or making storage enclosures and display supports
following advice from specialist conservators to avoid potential damage
mounting and framing
surface cleaning.
Organisational plans and policies may include:
collection management policies
conservation plans
disaster preparedness policies
preservation plans.

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.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
implement routine preventive conservation activities
demonstrate knowledge of agents of deterioration and their impact on collections
apply basic preservation techniques.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
use of current industry methods and equipment
access to:
relevant policies and procedures
cultural material in an appropriate environment so that both material and environment may be assessed by the candidate
equipment, tools and materials for preventive conservation and 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 onthejob performance
direct observation of the candidate engaged in preventive conservation activities
review of condition reports prepared or updated by the candidate
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
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of different techniques and procedures.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).
Guidance information for assessment
The content of this unit relates to work that has a significant impact on Australia’s cultural heritage and care must be taken to ensure appropriate implementation of the unit. Any individual or organisation planning to undertake training and/or assessment of this unit would be expected to consult with an appropriately qualified conservator or conservation organisation.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULCNM403A Record and maintain collection information
CULPRE501A Develop disaster management plans.