Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Conduct grave excavation and shoring.
  2. Minimise risk of grave collapse.
  3. Clean up and make safe open gravesite.

Required Skills

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 reopening 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

Evidence Required

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 manufacturers instructions

ability to identify gravesite location and to assess safe excavation and shoring requirements for reopening 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 reopening 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 thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

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

SIFBCRA Prepare for gravedigging

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


Range Statement

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.