HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Several types of hazardous materials were discovered in collection items during preparation for the move of the Science and Technology collections of the Museum of Victoria to the new Scienceworks museum complex. This article discusses the reasons for the presence of hazardous materials in the collections, where to look for hazards, and the basic safety procedures to be carried out when they are found. Specific reference is made to asbestos, matches, lead, arsenic, mercury, munitions, fire extinguishers, batteries, radioactive materials and general chemicals. The need for Hazard Management Planning is discussed, as is the importance of condition reporting and surveying of museum collections to locate hazardous materials.