Cultural heritage sites, including libraries where historical texts are available, are responsible to staff, research visitors, and the public for providing a safe and healthy work and educational experience. Identifying hazards inherent and acquired on collections, or in contaminated work areas and storage environments, has become more prevalent with the use of XRF analysis (for metals), knowledge of collector's notes, and records of conservation methods. However, this is only source identification data, that typically does not directly correlate to the potential health risk from specific work tasks and where routes of exposure exist. An occupational exposure assessment, conducted by a qualified health and safety professional, will determine actual risks during work tasks via personal sampling devices and media, surface and dermal wipes, and other methods. An exposure assessment case study is presented, related to the testing and assessment of worker exposure to and workspace contamination from selected metals (arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury) within historical collections at a regional library. Personal sampling results quantified potential inhalation exposures, wipe samples verified the presence of contaminants on hands (potential ingestion risk), and surface wipe results identified cross-contamination in collection storage and work areas. Detailed recommendations for improved safe work practices, personal protection, and other controls were offered. Understanding hazard sources, routes of exposure, and surface transference defines both the potential health risk and the methods to best control that exposure. Safety and collection preservation and conservation are not disjointed topics. Safety can work hand in hand to support the protection of collections.
