Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CULPRE401A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Implement preventive conservation activities

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CULPRE401A - Implement preventive conservation activities
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide preventive care of collection material through a sound knowledge of conservation principles, practices and ethics.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to a wide range of job roles in organisations responsible for the care of cultural material, including archives, museums, libraries, galleries and cultural centres.People working autonomously under general guidance may undertake this preventive conservation role, depending on the size and structure of the organisation.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Monitor environmental conditions
  • Monitor environmental conditions according to collection needs and identify agents of deterioration affecting collection material
  • Control and adjust environmental conditions
  • Report serious problems to relevant colleagues
       
Element: Assess condition of collection material
  • Examine and assess condition of collection material in the appropriate location
  • Review documentation and record current condition of items
  • Apply knowledge of deterioration patterns to collection monitoring
  • Consult experts for advice where necessary
       
Element: Undertake preventive conservation
  • Implement preventive conservation activities according to organisational policies and procedures
  • Research and apply best practice guidelines, cultural protocols and specialist conservation advice
  • Follow health, safety, sustainability and disaster management policies and procedures
  • Identify the need for assistance and consult with a specialist conservator in relation to issues that arise in collection care
  • Complete records of preventive conservation activities
       
Element: Develop preservation skills and knowledge
  • Develop, update and maintain knowledge of preservation issues and concepts
  • Integrate knowledge into work activities
  • Share knowledge with colleagues
       
Element: Implement basic preservation activities
  • Undertake basic preservation activities according to organisational plans and policies
  • Complete records on preservation activities
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication and teamwork skills to:

liaise with experts on potentially complex preventive conservation issues

share knowledge with colleagues

initiative and enterprise skills to identify changes in the condition of collection material and take appropriate action to minimise damage

learning skills to:

undertake ongoing professional development

apply new techniques

literacy skills to:

interpret conservation guidelines

document condition of collections

record and report preservation and preventive conservation activities

planning and organising skills to monitor and implement preservation and preventive conservation activities

research skills to:

locate conservation information

locate best practice guidelines

self-management skills to:

follow workplace procedures

prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines.

Required knowledge

roles of personnel responsible for care of cultural material, including limitations on roles of unqualified personnel

role of conservators and of people working under the guidance of conservators, including the scope of work undertaken by each and rationale for this

sources of expert assistance on collection care

industry guidelines and terminology about preventive conservation and basic preservation

role of preventive conservation in relation to collections

distinction between preservation, conservation and restoration

basic preservation principles and methods

factors contributing to deterioration relevant to the collection or industry sector

cultural considerations and protocols for the handling, storage and display of collection material

organisational policies and procedures on health, safety, sustainability and disaster management

methods of protecting collection material from damage and potential hazards

current best practice guidelines for collection care

techniques for handling and examining material

basic principles and methods for using equipment, tools and materials for routine collection care

conservation principles in relation to collection management

requirements for safe work and manual handling when undertaking preventive conservation activities

copyright, moral rights and intellectual property legislation relevant to conservation

cultural protocols that impact on conservation, including those for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material

formats and features of conservation plans and object condition reports.

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.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Monitor environmental conditions according to collection needs and identify agents of deterioration affecting collection material 
Control and adjust environmental conditions 
Report serious problems to relevant colleagues 
Examine and assess condition of collection material in the appropriate location 
Review documentation and record current condition of items 
Apply knowledge of deterioration patterns to collection monitoring 
Consult experts for advice where necessary 
Implement preventive conservation activities according to organisational policies and procedures 
Research and apply best practice guidelines, cultural protocols and specialist conservation advice 
Follow health, safety, sustainability and disaster management policies and procedures 
Identify the need for assistance and consult with a specialist conservator in relation to issues that arise in collection care 
Complete records of preventive conservation activities 
Develop, update and maintain knowledge of preservation issues and concepts 
Integrate knowledge into work activities 
Share knowledge with colleagues 
Undertake basic preservation activities according to organisational plans and policies 
Complete records on preservation activities 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CULPRE401A - Implement preventive conservation activities
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

CULPRE401A - Implement preventive conservation activities

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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Student signature:

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