Museum Health & Safety

this was the response from the museum re health and safety - seems we would need to provide them with a considerable amount of information to attain some guidelines. probably be a case of what they would be able to "ok" and what they would consider a problem or hazardous - which they cant answer until we provide them with full details :S

Dear Helanie and William
Thank you for your enquiry.
In order to consider the H&S issues for exhibiting work in the foyer, landings or other (non gallery) areas within the museum, we would first need to know more about the work to be exhibited, the location in which it is to be displayed, and any other relevant information. This is because, for example, H&S issues in the café area would be very different to those in the foyer. Also if the work was 3d, large and potentially unstable it would be different to if it was small and designed to be hung on a wall.
It would, therefore, would be very hard for me to supply you with what you are asking for. However the kinds of things we would take into account when writing a risk assessment (in no particular order) are:
Fire safety - is the location also an evacuation route/fire exit route?
Other uses of the space and hazards relating to this (e.g. café)
Type of work/size/weight/stability/fragility/materials used
Installation - all aspects including use of power tools, mechanical lifting, working at height, etc
Loading and unloading from street into museum
Trip hazards/obstacles/space for visitors to circulate
Suitability of content (i.e. appropriate for all age groups)
Members of staff available to invigilate
Safety of plinths and other supporting surfaces
With all the information to hand we would then be in a position to put together a risk assessment for the exhibition.
I am sorry I have not been able to supply you with exactly what you asked for but I hope this helps. Please get back to me if I can help you any more on this subject
Kate
Dear Sir/Madam,We are currently undertaking a curatorial project at Plymouth College of Art and Design and would be grateful if you could email/attach relevant Health and Safety documentation in relation to exhibiting work in the museum's foyer, hall space, cafeteria and basically any areas within the museum which do not include the actual gallery exhibition rooms/areas.This information would be greatly appreciated.Many thanksHelanie Moore/ William DanbyBA (Hon) Yr 1 Fine Art Practices


Kate Johnson
Exhibitions Programme Coordinator
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

01752 304667 (direct line)
01752 304774 (reception)
kate.johnson@plymouth.gov.uk

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