Being in a a similar situation myself the best advice I can offer you is as
follows;

Number 1. Ensure good, frequent communication lines with the people in
charge of the building works so that you know what work is going on, when
and where. Our main problems result from not being kept informed of building
works, or the nature of the work changes and we are not updated.
Educate the construction managers to the dangers the work poses to the
collection and why certain precautions are necessary.
Build into your contracts the ability to immediately put a stop to work if
it endangers the collection.
Be aware of the effects of vibration and dust, even from remote
construction. Have plenty of polyethylene sheeting around and adequately
dust seal your doors. Factor in post construction clean up of storage areas.
Be constantly aware of how the construction might be effecting  your
security and occupational health and safety.
Get a good stereo or ear muffs to drown out the jack hammers.

Good luck

Leah Breninger
Collection Manager
Dept. of Social History
Museum of Victoria
[log in to unmask]
 ----------
From: owner-museum-l
To: Multiple recipients of list MUSEUM-L
Subject: protecting collections during construction
Date: Sunday, 07 April, 1996 4:16PM

I am the registrar at a small/medium historical society.  We will be
breaking ground for an expansion to our facility this summer, with full
construction starting by August.  Does anyone have any advice, horror
stories, or suggested reading for me about how to protect our collections
during construction?  Moving everything off-site is not an option due to
financial constraints.  The collection is varied, including archives,
library materials, textiles, jewelry, framed art, sculpture, furniture,
and all types of three-dimensional artifacts of everyday life.

Responses are welcome on or off list, and I would be happy to summarize
off-list postings at some point.  I look forward to varied and helpful
comments, guaranteed on Museum-L!
 _________________________________________

Miriam Albahari
[log in to unmask]
Jewish Historical Society of Maryland
"Miracles sometimes occur, but one has to work terribly hard for them."
                                                -Chaim Weizmann