Assessor Resource

SIFBCR023A
Dig a grave using machinery

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to cemetery and crematorium staff involved in burial works. It requires the application of safe and appropriate shoring methods for digging and re-opening gravesites using machinery. It involves working under supervision as part of a team with some responsibility.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use machinery to dig or re-open a grave in a safe manner and assess gravesites to minimise the risk of grave collapse.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

SIFOHS007A Identifyhazardsandassess risks in a cemetery or crematorium


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to select, prepare, use, maintain and clean the required tools, equipment and machinery according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer's instructions

ability to identify gravesite location and to assess safe excavation and shoring requirements for re-opening and machine based gravedigging

constant monitoring of excavation for grave collapse and ability to take immediate corrective actions during gravedigging

digging graves using machinery on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills in a cemetery environment that allows for machine digging of graves to accommodate required dimensions of coffins or caskets and application of appropriate shoring methods

access to relevant tools, equipment, machinery and personal protective equipment

access to grave supports, lowering devices and protective restraints

access to relevant documentation, including cemetery map or plan.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate accessing, shoring and digging a new grave using machinery

observation of candidate accessing, shoring and re-opening a grave

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIFBCR017A Prepare for gravedigging.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

gravedigging skills, including safe and appropriate use of relevant tools, equipment and machinery

safe use of personal protective clothing and equipment

shoring skills appropriate to re-opening and digging a grave using machinery

communication skills, including active listening and questioning techniques and clear and direct communication to determine, clarify and inform team members of work requirements and ensure safety of site and personnel

literacy and numeracy skills to read and interpret relevant documentation, plans and drawings; to measure gravesite dimensions and shoring requirements; and to interpret manufacturer instructions for using tools and operating machinery.

Required knowledge

corrective or emergency actions

workplace policies and procedures to maintain safety requirements

operating procedures for relevant machinery

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS and gravedigging

soil types and conditions relevant to shoring requirements

risk assessment procedures.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Gravedigging requirement may include:

re-opening existing site

new site

coffin or casket measurement

required depth of excavation.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

cemetery Acts and by-laws

public safety Acts

local government regulations

Lands Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Australian standards

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Personal protective equipment may include:

overalls

steel-capped boots

jacket

long sleeves

gloves

safety glasses or goggles

hat or cap

hard hat

gumboots

ear plugs or muffs

sun protection

two-way radio.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures.

Grave shoring requirements may include:

required depth of grave

required depth of excavation for re-opening

techniques to deal with soil types and conditions, such as:

sand

clay

rock

length of time soil exposed

breakdown of cohesive strength of soil

soil fretting

soil compaction

tension cracks.

Machinery may include:

backhoe

front-end loader

skidsteer loader

excavator

tractor

truck.

Tools and equipment may include:

spreaders

boards

hydraulic braces

stabilisers

spades

shovels

picks

crowbars

auger

timber tom

sledgehammer

timber mallet

explosive power tool

power saw

handsaw

timber of correct or recommended grade, size and type

ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard.

Safe storage of displaced earth may include:

truck

vacant site.

Progressive grave shoring requirements may include:

top of grave shored to a minimum of 300 millimetres

sides of grave shored where depth exceeds 1.5 metres.

Shoring method may include:

box set

closed timbering for wet sand or refilled ground

soldier set or box sets for firm, hard clay

shields where suitable for rock.

Grave collapse warning signs may include:

fretting from top edge

slump in surface near excavation

tension cracks

support timbers bowing or creaking.

Corrective or emergency action may include:

alternative shoring methods

use of a sludge pump

reduced soil loadings

evacuation of gravesite.

Protective restraints may include:

sheeting

barricades

temporary fencing

reinforced covers.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine gravedigging requirement according to work requirements, risk assessment and relevant legislation. 
Identify and locate appropriate gravesite according to cemetery map or plan and physical location. 
Select and prepare personal protective equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Assess grave shoring requirements according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Dig grave using machinery and appropriate tools and equipment according to manufacturer instructions, dimensions of coffin or casket, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Identify and apply workplace procedures for safe storage of displaced earth or removal from site. 
Undertake progressive grave shoring requirements using a safe and appropriate shoring method. 
Maintain above and below ground communication with other team members. 
Maintain safe surface loadings according to soil type and condition. 
Constantly monitor excavation for grave collapse warning signs. 
Take appropriate corrective or emergency action according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 
Cover surface area from edge of excavation to ensure soil integrity and stability and provide safe work area for funeral. 
Place grave supports and lowering devices in readiness for coffin or casket according to work requirements. 
Clean area adjacent to grave and remove earth according to workplace policies and procedures to ensure safety of funeral work area. 
Assess and address damage caused to adjacent graves by machinery. 
Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only, according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFBCR023A - Dig a grave using machinery
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

SIFBCR023A - Dig a grave using machinery

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: