PLANNING AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT
DOON HERITAGE CROSSROADS
Artifact Cleaning Procedures

Title:     Biological Hazards Risk Control Procedure
Applies to:    All Employees and Volunteers
Revision Date: June 1996

Operating      Bird and animal droppings contain biological hazards which
can be
Principle:     harmful to people.  This procedure is intended to provide
          assistance  to employees and volunteers in reducing that risk.

Details:  Mandatory Work Procedures

          Where exposure to biological hazards is expected, workers and
          volunteers are required to wear respiratory protective equipment
          equipped with high efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters.
          Disposable HEPA filter dust masks will be provided by Doon.
          Training on maintenance and fit-testing of the masks will be part
          of the program.

          Workers and volunteers must also wear disposable latex or vinyl
          gloves which will be provided by Doon.

          If the level of contamination of the artifact is significant,
          goggles are mandatory.  In other situations goggles are a
          recommended piece of personal protective equipment.   Several
          pairs of goggles will be provided for staff and volunteers to use
          when needed.  Proper cleaning of the equipment before and after
          use is imperative and disinfectant wipes will be provided for
          this purpose.

          Proper personal hygiene is also very important, and workers and
          volunteers should wash thoroughly after handling artifacts and
          prior to eating or drinking.

          Recommended Work Practices

          During general handling and cleaning activities where heavy
          accumulations of droppings are NOT present, goggles are a
          recommended piece of personal protective equipment.  Heavy
          accumulations of droppings require goggles at all times.

          It is recommended that you bring a set of work clothes with you
          to change into while you work and that you change back to your
          street clothes before leaving Doon.  Work clothes should be
          washed in hot soapy  water with no other clothing.  You may wish
          to clean them on site or if you chose to take them home, please
          launder them right away.
          Work Processes

          Hard Surfaces (wood & metal)

          1.   Remove heaviest contamination with mechanical means, for
               example shovels or scrapers.

          2.   Vacuum using a HEPA vacuum.

          3.   Final process is to decontaminate the artifact with a
               disinfectant solution*.  This can be done through various
               means, which includes, but is not limited to wiping with a
               damp cloth, misting, sponging, etc.  The supervisor on site
               can assist you in deciding the correct technique.

     Soft Surfaces (leather and textile items)

          1.   Gently remove heavy contamination.

          2.   Vacuum with a HEPA filtered vacuum and brush lightly.

          3.   Spray with a disinfectant solution* and let air dry.


*Disinfectant solutions include:   dilute hypochlorite solutions (bleach &
water)
                              detergents
                              ethyl alcohol, 70%
                              General purpose household disinfects

        PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT DOON HERITAGE CROSSROADS
                STAFF IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

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