Conserve, repair or restore dynamic cultural heritage objects

​This standard is about conserving, repairing or restoring dynamic cultural heritage objects. As well as a cultural heritage value, dynamic cultural heritage objects also have moving parts including, but not restricted to, mechanical objects such as clocks, automata motorised vehicles and musical instruments.

It includes assessing the degree of repair or restoration required, carrying out restoration and repair work appropriate for each object, using appropriate tools, techniques and replacement materials and working within agreed timescales and organisational processes.

This standard is for anyone who carries out conservation, repair or restoration to dynamic cultural heritage objects.

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1. ​work safely at all times, complying with health and safety regulations, directives and guidelines
2. assess objects and any defects and agree the extent of repair or restoration with appropriate people
3. check that existing components and materials are serviceable and identify required replacement components in accordance with the needs of objects
4. use conservation, repair and restoration methods and techniques that are appropriate for each object and for the desired level of repair or restoration
5. obtain relevant documentation or specifications to inform conservation, repair or restoration activities
6. carry out conservation, repair or restoration activities within the limits of your specialism, expertise and experience
7. select tools and materials for restoration that are fit for purpose and in a safe condition, storing them appropriately after use
8. handle and use tools and materials to achieve desired conservation, repair or restoration in line with health and safety requirements
9. carry out conservation, repair or restoration activities in an appropriate sequence within agreed time scales
10. source and obtain necessary replacement parts, materials and other consumables in line with organisational policies and procedures
11. resolve problems with conservation, repair and restoration activities within the limits of your specialism, expertise and experience
12. compile appropriate documentation in line with organisational and sector standards and procedures
13. retain and catalogue elements removed or replaced during conservation, repair or restoration in appropriate systems
14. dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures

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1. ​the health and safety requirements related to conservation, repair or restoration activities, the responsibility they place on you and the effects of health and safety precautions on others
2. hazards associated with carrying out conservation, repair or restoration activities including lifting, handling and using tools and equipment, handling and disposal of hazardous substances
3. the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE)
4. restoration and conservation ethics on the repair and replacement of original components, parts and materials and the procedures for obtaining these
5. where to obtain documentation or specifications for the objects you are working on
6. the extent of your expertise, experience and authority and who you should consult if you have a problem that you cannot resolve or which falls outside your specialism
7. how to evaluate the impact that the extent of restoration or repair will have on the appearance, function, interpretation and heritage value of objects
8. methods of checking that components are serviceable, and how to identify wear and damage
9. how to check that tools and equipment are in a safe and usable condition
10. specialist best practice methods and techniques to be adopted for conservation, repair and restoration
11. the challenges associated with conservation, repair and restoration and how they can be overcome
12. which removed elements have a future historical interest and systems for cataloguing them
13. organisational procedures for the safe disposal of waste
14. who to liaise with and when before and during conservation, restoration and repair activities
15. record keeping requirements

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1

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30 Mar 2026

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Current

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Original

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Creative and Cultural Skills

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CCSCH15

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Archaeology and Archaeological Sciences, Conservation Associate Professionals, Construction Trades, Crafts, Creative Arts and Design

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2452

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artefact; cultural heritage; conservation; conserve; repair; restore; restoration; mechanical; clocks; automata; motorised vehicles; musical instruments;

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