Introduction (6 of 8)
What equipment will I need? (continued)
Moving equipment
For small objects that are not being moved far, the most important equipment will be your hands. However, for moving objects any distance, or for moving larger or awkward objects, you may require a trolley or other specialised moving equipment.
The trolley chosen should be checked to ensure that it can safely carry the weight of object to be moved, and that it is in good condition and stable. Trolleys should be checked regularly to ensure that all wheels turn easily, and that no parts are broken.
Sometimes, more specialist equipment may be required, such as pallet and fork lift trucks. These should only be used by trained personnel, and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Containers, support and cushioning
Trays or boxes are the most useful containers for moving objects. If the objects are to stay in these containers for any length of time, they should be inert and acid-free. The object will also need to be supported within these containers, and this is usually done with acid-free tissue and/or inert foams such as Plastazote®. Details of these packaging materials are discussed in the Packing Museum Objects e-learning tools.
