The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded us £65,000 for a year long project aimed at reducing risks posed by hazardous museum collections! Hazards in Collections: Reducing the Risk will train seven conservators and engage 96 staff, volunteers and freelancers from 48 museums. Additionally, the project will provide targeted grants for 14 museums to receive intensive on-site support.
This project will respond to findings from a comprehensive survey we ran in 2024, engaging over 60 heritage organisations across the South West, which identified a critical need in the sector to address hazards training and resources in dealing with hazards.
Many museums house items that, while historically significant, pose health risks. These include World War II gas masks containing asbestos, uranium ore specimens, corroding lead coffins, stuffed animals treated with arsenic salts and old medicinal bottles to name a few. This collaborative new project, Hazards in Collections, will empower museums to identify such objects and implement safety measures thus increasing access to collections for the communities they serve.
Collaborating for Safety and Sustainability
Working closely with conservation and collection care specialists from key conservation teams including Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre’s Conservation Museums and Advisory Service, Bristol Museums, Hampshire Cultural Trust, and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, the project will deliver specialist training and access to technical skills throughout the greater region. The project will embed sustainable, capacity building practices across the museum and heritage workforce to ensure long-lasting impact from the Heritage Fund investment.
Training and Support
The project will train a dedicated conservation team to deliver workshops with participants, focusing on identifying and managing the six most common hazards: arsenic, asbestos, lead, mercury, mould, and radiation. Participants will learn how to set up a Hazards Register, safely pack and label objects, and plan for future safety measures.
Museums taking part will receive specialised materials and ongoing support to implement their training. An additional training session will address less common but complex risks, including controlled drugs, explosives, firearms, kinetic materials, and nitrate film.
Legacy and Resources
The project will establish a shared equipment bank for hazard testing and treatment, ensuring long-term accessibility and sustainability. Resources, including an illustrated handbook, templates, and an engaging training animation, will be hosted on the MDSW website to support ongoing heritage collections safety efforts.
If you’re interested in participating in the project please take a look at our webpage for further information.