This unit applies to the process of preparing a gravesite and involves working in association with a fellow worker or work team.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare site for excavation

1.1. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and reported to the supervisor.

1.2. Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected, used and maintained.

1.3. Tools, equipment and machinery are prepared and used according to supervisor's instructions.

1.4. Surrounding monuments, masonry or headstones that threaten the stability of the new gravesite are inspected and removed if necessary, according to supervisor's instructions.

1.5. Sludge pump is used to remove excess water if required.

1.6. Gravesite is marked out to suit coffin dimensions and according to supervisor's instructions and/or enterprise policy.

2. Assist with the excavation

2.1. Grave is excavated according to enterprise policy.

2.2. Sides of grave are shored where depth of grave exceeds 1.5 metres or as determined by enterprise policy.

2.3. Surface area for 400 mm from the edge of the excavation is covered with an approved material to ensure the integrity and stability of the soil.

2.4. Access to and egress from the excavation site is undertaken according to OHS requirements.

2.5. Gravesite is secured with protective restraints to limit access to the site while being established and when left unattended.

3. Backfill and enhance the gravesite following burial

3.1. Burial hole is back-filled with soil free from large lumps, plant debris or waste material.

3.2. Backfilling techniques are employed to consolidate the soil, to minimise cavities and to restore the ground to its original level.

3.3. Surrounding monuments, masonry or headstones are replaced as necessary.

3.4. Waste material and plant debris removed from the gravesite are disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise policy.

3.5. Gravesite is enhanced according to supervisor's instructions and/or enterprise policy.

Required skills

prepare site for excavation

assist with the excavation

shore up sides of grave as required

backfill and enhance the gravesite following burial

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

OHS responsibilities of employees

applied understanding of safe work practices when working in and around confined spaces

the environmental impact of soil disturbance when excavating a grave

the environmental implications of pumping sludge water from an excavation site and the effects it may have on surrounding gravesites.

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.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

select and safely use machinery and equipment for grave site preparation including digging graves by hand

restore a site following a burial service.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Grave preparation may include:

all types of graves.

Enhancing a gravesite may include:

placement of monuments, headstones or masonry

planting of flowers or other vegetation

erection of fencing

laying of gravel/pebbles

installation of other decorative features.

Unit sector

Parks and gardens

This unit contains employability skills.