Intro to Collections-Based Hazards: Training Course

Initially designed for Smithsonian staff and affiliated personnel, this course is now available as part of a larger effort to share information and resources on the topic. These training materials provide fundamental awareness about collection items with hazards - otherwise known as collections-based hazards. This training identifies basic hazard types, roles and responsibilities, and SI directives and offers general advice and considerations regarding collections-based hazards. This course contains three video lessons, three accompanying quizzes, and other resources for further learning.

Part 1: Introduction

This video provides foundational knowledge on collections-based hazards. You will be introduced to general terms and concepts that will help you protect yourself and understand the types of hazards in collections.

Part 2: Categories of Hazards

This video covers the broad categories of hazards you may encounter working around collections.

Part 3: Responding to Hazards

This video contains information on how to prepare, respond, handle, and dispose of identified hazards.

Note: The content presented in these training materials may be specific to Smithsonian operations. The information provided does not constitute advice for particular situations, nor is it intended as a substitute for regulatory compliance. Users of this material should seek additional guidance for specific situation(s).

Due to its inability to transmit heat, asbestos was used in many household products as insulation, including burner pads and stove mats, used to protect the stove or countertop from hot cookware. As with other collection items made of or containing asbestos, these should be treated as a hazard, with special care to note if the asbestos has become friable or breaking off into smaller pieces to become airborne.