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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine gravedigging requirements.
   • Identify appropriate lined or unlined gravesite and physical location according to cemetery map or plan.
   • Assess site and surrounding area to determine soil type, safety hazards, access and egress, requirement to conduct grave probe, removal of soil and effect on presentation of nearby graves.
   • Determine viability of gravesite according to safety requirements and refer to manager or leading hand for further instruction.
   • Select manual or machinery gravedigging method.
2. Conduct grave probe as required.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Select and prepare tools and equipment and machinery according to work requirements, and manufacturer guidelines.
   • Undertake slab removal as required.
   • Measure plot to determine correct location of initial probe position.
   • Probe gravesite according to measurements.
   • Record measurements from probe to determine vacancy status.
   • Report viability of gravesite to appropriate personnel.
3. Prepare for digging.
   • Assemble and brief gravedigging work team as required.
   • Advise gravedigging work team of above and below ground lines of communication to be used in case of emergency.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Select and prepare tools and equipment according to work requirements.
   • Mark site according to grave dimensions and supervisor instructions.
   • Inspect and remove monuments, masonry or headstones that impact stability or access.
   • Apply protective strategies to preserve adjacent graves.
   • Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only.
4. Determine gravedigging requirements.
   • Identify appropriate lined or unlined gravesite and physical location according to cemetery map or plan.
   • Assess site and surrounding area to determine soil type, safety hazards, access and egress, requirement to conduct grave probe, removal of soil and effect on presentation of nearby graves.
   • Determine viability of gravesite according to safety requirements and refer to manager or leading hand for further instruction.
   • Select manual or machinery gravedigging method.
5. Conduct grave probe as required.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Select and prepare tools and equipment and machinery according to work requirements, and manufacturer guidelines.
   • Undertake slab removal as required.
   • Measure plot to determine correct location of initial probe position.
   • Probe gravesite according to measurements.
   • Record measurements from probe to determine vacancy status.
   • Report viability of gravesite to appropriate personnel.
6. Prepare for digging.
   • Assemble and brief gravedigging work team as required.
   • Advise gravedigging work team of above and below ground lines of communication to be used in case of emergency.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Select and prepare tools and equipment according to work requirements.
   • Mark site according to grave dimensions and supervisor instructions.
   • Inspect and remove monuments, masonry or headstones that impact stability or access.
   • Apply protective strategies to preserve adjacent graves.
   • Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

identify and assess gravesites to select appropriate gravedigging or re-opening method, tools, equipment and safety requirements according to work requirements

take accurate measurements, make accurate calculations and conduct accurate probes.

Evidence of performance of preparing for grave digging 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:

soil types and their impact on gravedigging

tools equipment and machinery used in relation to gravedigging, and their associated uses

use and maintenance of personal protective equipment

safe operation of relevant tools and equipment

safe shoring structures and procedures

safety hazards in relation to gravedigging, including:

air

water

vibration

heat

slippery surfaces

overhead obstacles

ground pressure:

machinery

people

soil

structures

previously dug graves

monument collapse

foreign objects

drains

cables

sprinklers

pipes

trees and roots

risk assessment procedures

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 protect personnel and gravesites

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 substances.

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