Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to backfill graves and make good gravesites following burials or grave re-openings. It applies to cemetery and crematorium staff involved in burial works under supervision as part of a team. Work is carried out according to work health and safety, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to backfill and make good a grave. | 1.1 Determine work requirements for burial work. 1.2 Locate appropriate lined or unlined gravesite. 1.3 Assemble work team and required tools, equipment and machinery according to work requirements. 1.4 Prepare and use personal protective equipment. 1.5 Liaise with manager, or funeral director as required, for indication to proceed with work. 1.6 Place protective restraints to allow access by authorised personnel while work is in progress. 1.7 Identify safety hazards and implement corrective action. 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, consolidating soil as backfilling progresses. 2.2 Remove shoring devices where applicable as each level is reached. 2.3 Complete grave fill according to work requirements. |
3. Make good a grave following a burial or grave re-opening. | 3.1 Replace turf on lawn or graves. 3.2 Arrange placement of monumentation as required. 3.3 Clean and make good gravesite and replace tributes. 3.4 Clean and make good adjacent gravesites and surrounds. 3.5 Remove, clean and store tools, equipment and machinery. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
select, prepare, use, maintain and clean the required tools and equipment according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer guidelines
apply hazard identifications, risk assessments and controls to ensure safety of self and others
apply safe use of shoring devices during backfill operations and ensure that the site is marked and well presented on conclusion of the work.
Evidence of performance of backfilling and making good graves on two or more occasions is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
considerations when determining burial work requirements, including:
social, cultural and religious requirements:
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
tools and equipment used for backfilling to ensure good graves, and their associated uses
machinery in relation to backfilling to ensure good graves, including:
backhoe
front-end loader
skid steer loader
excavator
tractor
truck
backfilling techniques to ensure good graves
safe operating procedures for relevant tools, equipment and machinery
protective restraints, including:
sheeting
barricades
temporary fencing
reinforced covers
safety hazards associated with backfilling to ensure good graves
concepts and techniques for shoring, including devices used:
spreaders
boards
hydraulic braces
stabilisers
workplace policies and procedures in relation to gravedigging
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety, working in confined spaces and gravedigging
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.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that is as industry realistic as possible. In a simulated environment, it is essential that assessment is conducted:
using suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
an environment with a range of backfilling requirements
tools, equipment and machinery
documentation, including cemetery map or plan and range of job requirements and relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures
under industry conditions where there is:
integration of tasks with possible interruptions to work typical of the job role
speed and timing requirements that reflect commercial operating conditions
interaction with team members
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Sectors
Cemetery and Crematoria
Competency Field
Burial and Cremation Operations