This unit applies to cemetery and crematorium staff involved in burial works. It requires consistent application of safe work practices according to legislative and workplace requirements and communication and literacy skills under supervision as part of a team with some responsibility.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Assess site.

1.1

Identify appropriate gravesite according to cemetery map or plan and physical inspection.

1.2

Assess gravesite and surrounding area to determine safety hazards, access and egress, and other relevant issues according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

1.3

Identify and confirm availability and serviceability of tools, equipment and machinery as required.

1.4

Identify and confirm availability of appropriate personnel and brief them as required.

2

Carry out removal.

2.1

Select and prepare personal protective equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

2.2

Loosen ledger or concrete lid according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.3

Roll off, lift or break ledger or lid according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.4

Store intact covering or debris according to workplace policies and procedures.

3

Reinstate grave.

3.1

Replace covering and monumentation on completion of required work according to workplace policies and procedures.

3.2

Clean and make good gravesite according to workplace policies and procedures.

3.3

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

3.4

Clean and store tools, equipment and machinery according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer instructions.

3.5

Report defects or maintenance requirements of tools, equipment and machinery according to workplace policies and procedures and manufacturer instructions.

Required skills

safe operation of relevant tools and equipment

communication skills, including active listening and questioning techniques and clear and direct communication to determine, clarify and inform team members of work requirements

literacy and numeracy skills to interpret cemetery maps or plans and work requirements

manual handling skills and techniques to ensure safe performance of relevant tasks.

Required knowledge

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS and gravesites

workplace policies and procedures to protect personnel, gravesites and masonry

properties and construction of ledgers and lids.

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

ability to identify gravesite location and to assess safe removal methods for ledgers and concrete lids

the safe and efficient removal of ledgers and reinstatement and good presentation of burial sites at conclusion of works

removing ledgers and concrete lids 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 where assessment of monumentation and surrounding gravesites can occur

access to relevant documentation, such as cemetery plans or maps

access to relevant tools and equipment, including personal protective equipment.

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 identifying and assessing a range of gravesites with different coverings

observation of candidate safely removing a range of coverings and reinstating a range of graves

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.

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.

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.

Gravesite may include:

pebbletop

concrete

granite

tiles.

Safety hazards may relate to:

grave collapse

water

vibration

heat

slippery surfaces

overhead obstacles

ground pressure, such as:

machinery

people

soil

structures

previously dug graves

monument collapse

foreign objects.

Relevant issues may include:

sinkage

need for soil removal

effect on presentation of nearby graves.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures

manual handling

safe storage and handling of coverings

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:

OHS

cemetery Acts and by-laws

local government regulations

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Tools and equipment may include:

straps

wedges

suction clamps

block and tackle

concrete saw

sledgehammer

jackhammer

spreaders

boards

hydraulic braces

stabilisers

spades

shovels

picks

crowbars

auger

timber tom

sledgehammer

timber mallet

explosive power tool

power saw

handsaw.

Machinery may include:

backhoe

front-end loader

skidsteer loader

excavator

hoist and crane

motorised or manual trolleys

tractor

truck.

Appropriate personnel may include:

leading hand

supervisor

manager

external contractor.

Personal protective equipment may include:

overalls

steel-capped boots

jacket

long sleeves

gloves

safety glasses or goggles

hat or cap

gumboots

ear plugs or muffs

sun protection

two-way radio.

Sector

Funeral Services

Burials and Cremations

This unit contains employability skills.