Considerations pre-inventory

Health and Safety

Some boxes in the solander store have their weight recorded on them - Please check the weight of a box prior to moving and handling, or consider moving containers with a colleague.

If you come across a box that is heavy, but has no weight recorded - we can make use of postal scales purchased for the department and can flag material on QB for material to be split across multiple locations. Boxes should not weigh more that 10 kg as a general rule.

*insert table with recommendations*

Some containers in the Solander store are not acid-free and whilst boxes have been prioritised for re-boxing, be mindful that some containers are not in the best condition. It has been known for boxes to collapse on removal from a shelf.

Wear closed shoes in stores, never remove boxes or climb ladders or kick stools in open toe shoes.

All inventory colleagues have completed Manual Handling and Working at Height e-learning, which is renewed annually - ladders, and kick stools should be checked prior to use.

Some collections will require the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and photographs should only be handled wearing Nitrile gloves. These are supplied by Collections Care and can be recycled.

General Housekeeping rules

If removing material from stores to another location for inventory (i.e. solander store to desks on 3rd floor) always complete a manual request slip, so that one slip remains in the location the material has been removed from and the other slip remains with the items/container. This will flag to retrieval and collections care colleagues that material is with inventory colleagues temporarily. Material should always be locked securely away when not in progress, i.e. the workroom in 215, Euston Road or in the relevant stores.

Food and drink should never be in close proximity with collections, water is permitted in closed flasks when working in stores but should remain away from the material.

In line with covid-secure ways of working, be mindful that stores have number restrictions in place and these differ/ are dependent on the size of the store.

Other work-streams will at times impact on what collections can be processed at a given time. i.e. collections may be out for digitisation, exhibition, or to a reader.

Warm jackets have been provided for inventory colleagues working for prolonged periods of time in stores, these are temperature controlled environments and can feel cold after a short period of time. Colleagues are advised to make use of these if needed to stay warm.