Rolling Stone

Best practices for stone handling include:

 

-Wash hands and wear gloves. Latex and nitrile gloves will not leave residue or cotton on stone surfaces, will limit oils on stone, and provide increase tactility for smooth or polished surfaces.

 

-Many surface features of stone objects are extremely fragile. Gold leaf, paint, and carvings/engravings can be easily damaged by aggressive and imprecise handling.

 

-Carry stone objects by their center of gravity, never carry projecting parts or along fractures.

 

-Stone objects can be heavy or multitudinous, use a cart to move multiple objects or for distances over a couple of feet. Make sure objects are secured and padded on storage cart and during all transfers.

 

-Some stone objects may require heavy machinery to use. Forklifts can be unwieldy, so make sure the object is well protected. Use straps and chains as necessary, but limit their direct contact with the stone’s surface.

 

-Make sure all equipment around large stone objects are secured properly and increase the safety for both person and object.