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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Conduct grave excavation and shoring.
   • Determine gravedigging requirement according to work requirements, risk assessment and relevant legislation.
   • Locate appropriate gravesite according to cemetery map or plan and physical location.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Assess grave shoring requirements.
   • Dig grave using machinery and appropriate tools and equipment according to manufacturer guidelines and dimensions of coffin or casket.
   • 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.
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 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.
   • Assess and address damage caused to adjacent graves by machinery.
   • Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only.
4. Conduct grave excavation and shoring.
   • Determine gravedigging requirement according to work requirements, risk assessment and relevant legislation.
   • Locate appropriate gravesite according to cemetery map or plan and physical location.
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment.
   • Assess grave shoring requirements.
   • Dig grave using machinery and appropriate tools and equipment according to manufacturer guidelines and dimensions of coffin or casket.
   • 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.
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 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.
   • Assess and address damage caused to adjacent graves by machinery.
   • Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

select, prepare, use, and maintain the required tools, equipment and machinery according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer guidelines

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

monitor excavation constantly for grave collapse and take immediate corrective actions during gravedigging.

Evidence of performance of digging graves using machinery 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:

corrective or emergency actions in the event of a collapsing grave

workplace policies and procedures to maintain safety requirements

machinery used for gravedigging and associated uses

operating procedures for relevant machinery

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

grave shoring methods

grave shoring 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

corrective or emergency actions in relation to grave collapse

risk assessment procedures for gravedigging using machinery

safe storage of displaced earth

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

use of protective barriers.

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