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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Conduct manual grave excavation and shoring.
   • Determine gravedigging requirement according to work requirements and risk assessment.
   • Locate gravesite according to cemetery map or plan and physical location.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Assess grave shoring requirements.
   • Manually dig grave according to dimensions of coffin or casket using appropriate tools and equipment.
   • Identify and apply workplace procedures for safe storage of displaced earth or removal from site.
   • Undertake progressive grave shoring requirements according to work requirement using safe and appropriate shoring method.
   • Maintain above and below ground communication with other team members.
2. Minimise risk of grave collapse.
   • Maintain safe surface loadings according to soil type and condition.
   • Constantly monitor excavation for grave collapse warning signs.
   • Take appropriate corrective or emergency action.
3. Clean up and make safe open gravesite.
   • Cover surface area from edge of excavation to ensure soil integrity and stability and to 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 to ensure safety of funeral work area.
   • Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only.
4. Conduct manual grave excavation and shoring.
   • Determine gravedigging requirement according to work requirements and risk assessment.
   • Locate gravesite according to cemetery map or plan and physical location.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Assess grave shoring requirements.
   • Manually dig grave according to dimensions of coffin or casket using appropriate tools and equipment.
   • Identify and apply workplace procedures for safe storage of displaced earth or removal from site.
   • Undertake progressive grave shoring requirements according to work requirement using safe and appropriate shoring method.
   • Maintain above and below ground communication with other team members.
5. Minimise risk of grave collapse.
   • Maintain safe surface loadings according to soil type and condition.
   • Constantly monitor excavation for grave collapse warning signs.
   • Take appropriate corrective or emergency action.
6. Clean up and make safe open gravesite.
   • Cover surface area from edge of excavation to ensure soil integrity and stability and to 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 to ensure safety of funeral work area.
   • Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

select, prepare, use, maintain and clean the required tools and equipment

identify gravesite locations and assess safe excavation and shoring requirements for re-opening and manual gravedigging

apply shoring method according to work requirements

apply constant monitoring of excavation for grave collapse and take immediate corrective actions during manual gravedigging.

Evidence of performance of digging graves manually on two or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

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Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge of:

federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety and gravedigging

workplace policies and procedures to maintain safety requirements

personal protective clothing and equipment used for gravedigging

use and safe operation of tools and equipment used for gravedigging

graver shoring methods and requirements, including:

required depth of grave

required depth of excavation for re-opening

techniques to deal with soil types and conditions:

sand

clay

rock

length of time soil exposed

breakdown of cohesive strength of soil

soil fretting

soil compaction

tension cracks

soil types and conditions relevant to shoring requirements

use of protective barriers

grave collapse warning signs, including:

fretting from top edge

slump in surface near excavation

tension cracks

support timbers bowing or creaking.

corrective or emergency actions in relation to grave collapse

risk assessment procedures

environmental impacts in relation to gravedigging and minimal impact practices to reduce these, especially those that relate to resource, water and energy use

environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substance.

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