• pick up the specimen with two hands, one hand holding an edge and the other under the specimen to provide support.
• place the specimen on a table or work surface for study
• lift up a stack of specimens and set it elsewhere to get to a specimen in the middle of the stack
• place specimens on a sheet of cardboard or other solid surface when transporting them
• handle specimens one at a time
• place specimens face up in a pile

DON'T

• turn the specimens in a folder like pages in a book.
• hold a specimen with one hand while trying to examine parts.
• place books or other materials on top of specimens
• squeeze a folder
• slide specimens into or out of folders
• turn specimens upside down or bend, twist, fold, spindle or mutilate
• carry specimens or folders on edge � always hold specimens flat (horizontal) with the specimen side up.