Assessor Resource

SIFBCR025A
Exhume a burial site

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to cemetery and crematorium gravedigging staff and funeral directors. It requires liaison with a variety of personnel dependent on the context in which exhumation is performed. The application of universal precautions to prevent contamination or infection is required when exhuming or lifting and deepening or repositioning human remains.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to exhume above and below ground burial sites and to lift and reposition or deepen human remains to accommodate additional burials under supervision.

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

Prerequisites

SIFOHS004A Work in confined spaces

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 burial location and to assess safe exhumation methods

the safe and efficient exhumation of remains using infection control procedures, the reinstatement and good presentation of burial sites at conclusion of exhumation

exhuming burial sites 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 where exhumation and lifting or deepening of human remains take place

access to relevant documentation, such as cemetery maps or plans

access to protective restraints and appropriate casings for human remains

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

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 performing below ground exhumations and lifting and repositioning or deepening remains

observation of candidate performing above ground exhumations

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 A gravedigging work role could include, for example:

SIFBCR017A Prepare for gravedigging

SIFBCR018A Backfill and make good graves

SIFBCR020A Dig a grave manually

SIFBCR023A Dig a grave using machinery.

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

communication skills, including active listening and questioning techniques and clear and direct communication to identify and confirm work requirements and consult with appropriate personnel

problem-solving skills to recognise unsafe situations and take corrective action

teamwork skills to contribute to decision making to ensure safe operations

literacy and numeracy skills to access and interpret workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer instructions for tool and equipment use and machinery operation.

Required knowledge

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS, conduct of exhumations, and storage and handling of human remains

workplace policies and procedures relating to performing exhumations

care, use and maintenance of relevant tools, equipment and machinery.

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.

Appropriate personnel may include:

manager

supervisor

leading hand.

Work requirements may include:

removing remains

lifting and repositioning or deepening remains

storing or transferring remains

scheduling work

burial site, such as:

crypt

mausoleum

tomb

vault

lined grave

unlined grave.

Tools may include:

spade

shovel

pick

crowbar

auger

sledgehammer

timber mallet.

Equipment may include:

personal protective equipment, including:

overalls

steel-capped boots

jacket

long sleeves

gloves

respirator with communication device attached

safety glasses or goggles

hard hat

hat or cap

gumboots

ear plugs or muffs

sun protection

two-way radio

mechanical or hydraulic bracing equipment

trolley

ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard

lowering and lifting device

restraints.

Machinery may include:

backhoe

front-end loader

skidsteer loader

crane

excavator

gator

tractor

truck.

Protective restraints may include:

sheeting

barricades

temporary fencing

reinforced covers.

Authorised personnel may include:

manager

supervisor

funeral director

court personnel

police

coroner

department of health

family.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

cemetery Acts and by-laws

local government regulations

Lands Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Australian standards

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Universal precautions must include:

use of personal protective equipment

presumption that all blood and body fluids are infectious

covering exposed cuts and abrasions, particularly on workers' hands, with waterproof coverings prior to commencing work

immediate treatment of puncture wounds or abrasions

use of protective clothing when cleaning spillage of body fluids.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

OHS

staff authorities and responsibilities

storage or transfer of remains

care of equipment

reporting maintenance requirements of tools, machinery and equipment

waste removal.

Appropriate casing may include:

ossuary box

body bag.

Clean up requirements may include:

removing waste

making surrounding area safe

removing or replacing monumentation

refilling grave.

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
Liaise with appropriate personnel to identify work requirements and own areas of responsibility in performing exhumation. 
Identify and prepare tools, equipment and machinery according to work requirements and workplace policies and procedures. 
Place protective restraints to restrict site access to authorised personnel according to supervisor instructions and relevant legislation. 
Apply universal precautions to minimise risk of infection from contaminates. 
Inspect and confirm nameplate as required. 
Perform exhumation according to workplace policies and procedures, relevant legislation and supervisor instructions. 
Enclose remains of deceased person and coffin or casket in appropriate casing according to workplace policies and procedures and supervisor instructions. 
Identify storage requirements according to work requirements and workplace policies and procedures. 
Remove adjacent monuments as required and reassess further digging with appropriate personnel. 
Dig to required or anticipated depth according to workplace policies and procedures and safety requirements. 
Remove coffin or casket and transfer or store remains according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation. 
Liaise with appropriate personnel to determine clean up requirements. 
Store and maintain tools, equipment and machinery according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer instructions. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIFBCR025A - Exhume a burial site
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

SIFBCR025A - Exhume a burial site

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: