SIFBCR018A
Backfill and make good graves

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to backfill graves and make good gravesites following burials or grave re-openings. The unit requires working under supervision as part of a team with some responsibility.

Application

This unit applies to cemetery staff involved in burial works. It requires the application of manual, communication and problem-solving skills to carry out safe backfilling, and clean and make good gravesites.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare to backfill and make good a grave.

1.1

Determine job requirements according to workplace policies and procedures.

1.2

Identify and locate appropriate gravesite.

1.3

Assemble work team and required tools, equipment and machinery according to job requirements and workplace policies and procedures.

1.4

Prepare and use personal protective equipment according to workplace policies and procedures.

1.5

Liaise with appropriate personnel for indication to proceed with work.

1.6

Place protective restraints to allow access by authorised persons while work is in progress according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

1.7

Identify safety hazards and implement corrective action according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

1.8

Remove mats, floral tributes, lowering devices and planks.

2

Backfill a grave following a burial or grave re-opening.

2.1

Backfill burial hole according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.2

Consolidate soil as backfilling progresses.

2.3

Remove shoring devices where applicable as each level is reached.

2.4

Complete grave fill according to job requirements and workplace policies and procedures.

3

Make good a grave following a burial or grave re-opening.

3.1

Replace turf on lawn or grave according to workplace policies and procedures.

3.2

Arrange placement of monumentation as required.

3.3

Clean and make good gravesite and replace tributes according to workplace policies and procedures and job requirements.

3.4

Clean and make good adjacent gravesites and surrounds according to workplace policies and procedures.

3.5

Remove, clean and store tools, equipment and machinery according to workplace policies and procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with work team and appropriate personnel to perform job requirements and maintain safety

literacy and numeracy skills to interpret job requirements; report faulty tools, equipment and machinery; and locate appropriate gravesites

problem-solving skills to recognise actual and potential safety hazards and take corrective action

appropriate and safe use of tools, machinery and equipment.

Required knowledge

appropriate backfilling techniques

workplace policies and procedures

safe operating procedures for tools, equipment and machinery operations

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS, working in confined spaces and gravedigging

operating procedures for relevant tools, equipment and machinery

shoring techniques and devices.

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 and equipment according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer's instructions

hazard identification, risk assessment and control to ensure safety of self and others

safe use of shoring devices during backfill operations and ensuring that the site is marked and well presented on conclusion of the work

backfilling and making good graves 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 with a range of backfilling requirements

access to relevant documentation, including cemetery map or plan and range of job requirements

access to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures

access to relevant tools, equipment and machinery.

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 preparing, backfilling and making good gravesites according to workplace and legislative requirements

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

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

SIFBCR017A Prepare for gravedigging

SIFBCR020A Dig a grave manually

SIFBCR023A Dig a grave using machinery

SIFOHS001A Follow OHS procedures.

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.

Job requirements may include:

social, cultural and religious requirements, such as:

burial procedures

time between death and burial

time between burial and closure of graves

placing of tributes and special personal effects

work team

tools, equipment and machinery

personal protective equipment

protective restraints.

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

reporting tool, machinery and equipment faults.

Gravesite may include:

lined

unlined.

Tools and equipment may include:

spade

shovel

pick

crowbar

auger

timber tong

sledgehammer

timber mallet

ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard.

Machinery may include:

backhoe

front-end loader

skidsteer loader

excavator

tractor

truck.

Personal protective equipment may include:

overalls

steel-capped boots

jacket

long sleeves

gloves

safety glasses or goggles

hard hat

hat or cap

gumboots

ear plugs or muffs

sun protection

two-way radio.

Appropriate personnel may include:

funeral director

supervisor

leading hand.

Protective restraints may include:

sheeting

barricades

temporary fencing

reinforced covers.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

workers' compensation legislation and regulations

cemetery Acts and by-laws

general cemetery regulations

local government regulations

Lands Act

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Australian standards

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Safety hazards may relate to:

air

water

vibration

heat

slippery surfaces

overhead obstacles

ground pressure, such as:

machinery

people

soil

structures

previously dug graves

monument collapse

foreign objects

drains

cables

sprinklers

pipes

trees and roots.

Shoring devices may include:

spreaders

boards

hydraulic braces

stabilisers.


Sectors

Sector

Funeral Services


Competency Field

Burials and Cremations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.