Abstract

ORELLANA HALKYER, Nancy; BUSTAMANTE ROCHA, Marco  and  RIVERA CASANOVAS, Claudia. Occupational risks and aspects of bio-security in archaeological fieldwork, museums and research institutes in Bolivia: guidelines and prevention. Textos Antropológicos [online]. 2018, vol.19, n.1, pp. 11-26. ISSN 1025-3181.

Topics about labor security and bio-security in archaeology have been little examined in the Andean countries, particularly in Bolivia. In this context the aim ofthis paper is to recognize those activities involved in archaeological fieldwork as well as in museums, research institutions or laboratories, which put in risk the personnel related to them. Our approach to fieldwork, museum, and research institute activities follows the national norms of bio-security, focusing on the use ofprotection (in oufits and equipment), in order to minimize biological risks to research staff throughout the implementation ofprotocols and lines ofaction. The article alsofocuses briefly on the implementation of preventive conservation protocols, and the control of environmental factors for avoiding the bio-deterioration of archaeological collections. Finally, the little knowledge about the importance ofincorpo-rating bio-security aspects duringfieldwork as well as in research institutes, laboratory, and museum activities is stressed, as well as thoseforms ofconduct corresponding to other work risks in these places.

Keywords : bio-security in archaeology; work risks; conservation; protocols; Bolivia.