Handling cultural objects requires specialist training, for example as a conservator, museum curator, art historian, archivist or librarian. Specialists and staff with many years of experience should be used. It is necessary to assess the professional experience acquired (e.g. interns and newcomers to the profession).

If artifacts are to be mounted on a wall (e.g. paintings, graphics, shelves for porcelain or small objects), this should only be done using suitable techniques with due consideration for the substrate in question. If necessary, adhesives should be additionally used and an anchor tester should be used to check the fastening. For added support, load-bearing hooks or ledges at the bottom of the artwork can take some of the load.

Showcases are used to house cultural artifacts that are particularly small, delicate or especially valuable. Their construction must take account of both aesthetic and architectonic factors, and they must meet both functional and security requirements. See the introduction for further information.

Water system installations (heating, drinking water) in the same room as cultural objects can result in water damage. As well as puddles forming, water may suddenly spray out at high pressure. See the introduction for further information.

Emergency plans and "first aid" materials (emergency kit) should be on hand for use after any water damage is suffered (see also the introduction). An evacuation plan is used to clear a room or the building, whether by the institution's own staff or assisting organizations.

List of links for emergency planning and water damage

Mechanical damage to cultural property can arise as a result of falls, knocks and tearing. Above all this affects vulnerable artifacts such as paintings, graphics, porcelain, small artworks and sculptures. Damage is most often caused by improper handling during shipping and mounting. Such objects must be packed and shipped only by staff with the relevant expertise. Objects should be transported using low-vibration vehicles and on well-maintained roads.

Mechanical damage to cultural property as a result of inappropriate visitor behavior (getting too close to an object, jostling, pushing, pointing at something, using large children's buggies etc.) must be avoided. Deliberate damage to cultural property is covered in the Vandalism section.

Library Rules and Regulations: SLUB Dresden

Museum Regulations: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin Preußischer Kulturbesitz

The risk of rooms or buildings failing for structural reasons must be considered. Ground shaking can also be a threat (slipping, crashing, damage to fragile cultural artifacts). Annual walk-through inspections with the building's owner or manager and daily checks by the duty staff are recommended.

When planning new buildings or alterations, it is always advisable to avoid routing water-carrying pipes above cultural artifacts. However, it is sometimes impossible to avoid having technical systems involving water (e.g. air conditioning systems) on the floors above cultural objects. These systems commonly contain heating, cooling and/or drinking water pipes, and it is often impossible to move them due to spatial and operational reasons. See the introduction for further information.

The complete or partial failure of components of air conditioning systems can pose a risk to cultural property. Rapid changes of air are to be avoided, along with unsuitable temperature and relative humidity values. Good maintenance and regular checks of the systems are vital. Portable equipment should be kept in readiness in case the systems malfunction (see the introduction to the Climate section for further information).

A power supply outage will cause the failure of technical systems such as heating/air conditioning systems, the alarm system (usually delayed thanks to battery backup), telecommunications systems and lighting. The failure of heating and air conditioning systems may result in damage to cultural property. A failure of the alarm system as well as the telecommunications system creates a security problem as no alerts or alarms from the alarm system and/or the building management system will be transmitted. Failure of the lighting will compromise working conditions.

A power outage may be caused by a technical malfunction in the room or building, or also by a failure in the energy provider's power supply network.