Open Forum

I am wondering how other museum's that have functional historic machinery handle liability concerns with operating said machinery?

We are accessioning several pieces from an 1895 belt-driven machine shop with the intention of running the machinery for demonstration purposes.  This would be attended by staff and volunteers with no visitors within touching distance of the machinery or belts.  Clearly these machines were not created with 2015 OSHA standards in mind so we are somewhat concerned about exposing our organization to potential liability.

If other museum's have similar machinery and would not mind sharing their safety protocols and procedures that would be helpful.  Also, any conversations or documentation with insurance carriers would be beneficial.

Thanks!

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Michael Sanders
Executive Director
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Dubuque IA
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I am wondering how other museum's that have functional historic machinery handle liability concerns with operating said machinery?

We are accessioning several pieces from an 1895 belt-driven machine shop with the intention of running the machinery for demonstration purposes.  This would be attended by staff and volunteers with no visitors within touching distance of the machinery or belts.  Clearly these machines were not created with 2015 OSHA standards in mind so we are somewhat concerned about exposing our organization to potential liability.

If other museum's have similar machinery and would not mind sharing their safety protocols and procedures that would be helpful.  Also, any conversations or documentation with insurance carriers would be beneficial.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Michael Sanders
Executive Director
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Dubuque IA
------------------------------

Contact Jane Woltereck at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, jwoltereck@thebmi.org. They have operational antique machinery for demonstrations, etc.The Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village would also be a good source, although I don't have a specific contact name.

Melissa

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Melissa Marsh Heaver
Registrar
Fire Museum of Maryland
Lutherville MD
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2015 04:57 PM
From: Michael Sanders
Subject: Liability and historic machinery

I am wondering how other museum's that have functional historic machinery handle liability concerns with operating said machinery?

We are accessioning several pieces from an 1895 belt-driven machine shop with the intention of running the machinery for demonstration purposes.  This would be attended by staff and volunteers with no visitors within touching distance of the machinery or belts.  Clearly these machines were not created with 2015 OSHA standards in mind so we are somewhat concerned about exposing our organization to potential liability.

If other museum's have similar machinery and would not mind sharing their safety protocols and procedures that would be helpful.  Also, any conversations or documentation with insurance carriers would be beneficial.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Michael Sanders
Executive Director
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Dubuque IA
------------------------------

I am wondering how other museum's that have functional historic machinery handle liability concerns with operating said machinery?

We are accessioning several pieces from an 1895 belt-driven machine shop with the intention of running the machinery for demonstration purposes.  This would be attended by staff and volunteers with no visitors within touching distance of the machinery or belts.  Clearly these machines were not created with 2015 OSHA standards in mind so we are somewhat concerned about exposing our organization to potential liability.

If other museum's have similar machinery and would not mind sharing their safety protocols and procedures that would be helpful.  Also, any conversations or documentation with insurance carriers would be beneficial.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Michael Sanders
Executive Director
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Dubuque IA
------------------------------