Application
This unit applies to individuals working in museums, libraries, galleries, cultural centres and other organisations and sites (indoor and outdoor), which hold significant collections of cultural material. In large institutions, this role may be undertaken by specialist staff. However, in many community based organisations, generalists such as managers, volunteers or committee members may be responsible for the development of the disaster preparedness plan. |
Prerequisites
Nil |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA | ||||
1 | Assess risks to the collection | 1.1 | Identify potential risks to the cultural material based on historical review and examination of the collection and its environment including the site and surrounds | ||
1.2 | Evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of specific risks to the collection based on analysis of key factors | ||||
1.3 | Rate risks according to probability and impact on the collection | ||||
1.4 | Identify significance of items in the collection and assess risks specific to those items | ||||
2 | Establish mechanisms to address risks | 2.1 | Identify appropriate mechanisms to reduce or remove risks | ||
2.2 | Identify and consult with relevant specialists and other stakeholders to determine ways of reducing specific risks | ||||
2.3 | Clearly articulate resources, actions and responsibilities for minimising/preventing risks | ||||
2.4 | Establish and document appropriate measures for priority items | ||||
3 | Establish procedures in the event of disaster | 3.1 | Define roles and responsibilities of those involved in implementing the disaster preparedness plan | ||
3.2 | Take account of the need for both disaster response and recovery in the development of procedures in the event of a disaster | ||||
3.3 | Allocate responsibilities to appropriate team members based on available expertise and other factors | ||||
3.4 | Evaluate potential disaster support networks and take appropriate action to activate same | ||||
4 | Develop and communicate the disaster preparedness plan | 4.1 | Source and collate relevant information for inclusion in disaster preparedness plan | ||
4.2 | Create a structure and formatfor the plan which is logical, user-friendly and clearly understood by key stakeholders | ||||
4.3 | Develop clear and concise documentation to support the disaster preparedness plan | ||||
4.4 | Develop and integrate evaluation mechanisms into the plan | ||||
4.5 | Develop mechanism for communication of the plan to all stakeholders, including feedback opportunities | ||||
4.6 | Develop appropriate mechanisms to keep plan and required staff skills current | ||||
4.7 | Develop and communicate recommendations for the integration of disaster preparedness measures into other relevant organisational plans | ||||
Required Skills
|
Required skills |
planning and organisational skills to develop procedures and action plans communication skills to undertake consultations with a wide range of stakeholders on complex practical issues problem-solving and contingency management skills to develop responses to a varied range of potential problems literacy skills to articulate multi-faceted plans, and to develop checklists and other documentation for the disaster preparedness plan. |
Required knowledge |
types of disaster that might affect particular cultural material in the relevant work context typical causes and types of damage to cultural material in the relevant work context risk assessment processes for cultural collection items typical procedures used to reduce or remove risk in the relevant work context support networks which can be used in the event of disaster in the relevant work context sources of assistance for disaster response and recovery. |
Evidence Required
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: knowledge of risks and risk assessment processes in the relevant collection context ability to develop a clear, concise and relevant disaster preparedness plan for an actual collection/site/environment. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: access to a collection/cultural material/site for which disaster preparedness plan can be prepared. |
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 evaluation of a disaster preparedness plan developed by the candidate evaluation of candidate's response to different case studies to assess ability to develop plans to address particular workplace situations and challenges. |
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUEOHS02C Establish and maintain a safe and secure workplace CULMS605C Develop and implement procedures for the movement and storage of cultural material CULMS009B Implement preventive conservation activities. |
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. | |
Potential risks may relate to: | fire water damage electrical or other equipment failure theft human error vandalism storage conditions security systems pest infections natural disaster renovation/building projects nature/condition of building housing collection |
nature of collection, e.g. unstable objects local environment | |
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 |
Historical review may involve review of: | previous disasters within the organisation previous disasters in similar locations or for similar collections occurrences in the local community |
Significance of items for protection may relate to: | value to the local community (past, current and future), i.e. significance synergy with mission of the organisation quality of documentation monetary value rarity historic, aesthetic, social/spiritual, research value |
Mechanisms to reduce or remove risks may include: | repairs and maintenance to building and site pest control change in operating procedures improved security equipment replacement movement of cultural material to less risky location briefing/training of staff or outside contractors creation and training of a disaster response team improved storage/display purchase of disaster response materials and equipment |
Those involved in implementing the plan may include: | staff volunteers board members/elected officials local community other similar organisations experts |
Procedures in the event of disaster may be response or recovery and may include: | initial response who to contact ensuring safety of personnel stabilising the situation assessment of scope of disaster assessment of need for external assistance assessment of need for relocation of collection use of disaster bin/store use of step-by-step response sheets contacting insurance broker/assessor documentary situation reducing further damage record management issues recording damage resources required for recovery staff/team organisation (immediate and longer term) |
Support networks may include: | regional networks e.g. region museum network experts on particular types of cultural material local community volunteers local emergency services e.g. fire, police |
Structure and format for the plan may be: | report checklists action sheets print-based electronic |
Documentation to support the disaster preparedness plan may include: | response sheets for specific locations/objects equipment checklists floor plans (with entrances/exits, fire extinguishers, utilities etc.) emergency and other telephone contacts safety checklist collection priority list |
Evaluation mechanisms may include: | regular review (internal or external) staff consultations/feedback review after the disaster or near-miss event |
Other relevant organisational plans may include: | maintenance plan training plan collection policy occupational health and safety plan |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Competency Field
Preventive Conservation |
Employability Skills
The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary for the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying Employability Skills requirements. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.