Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to operate, monitor and maintain a cremator. It applies to crematorium staff working with relative autonomy 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 cremate. | 1.1 Determine work requirements including client requests, time and location of cremation, transport and staffing needs. 1.2 Identify and use personal protective equipment. 1.3 Conduct pre-operational checks to identify defects or damage. 1.4 Report defects or damage to manager. 1.5 Start up and stabilise cremator according to manufacturer guidelines. |
2. Prepare to operate cremator. | 2.1 Transfer coffin or casket onto trolley. 2.2 Check relevant documentation for accuracy. 2.3 Remove, store or dispose of nameplate. 2.4 Transfer coffin or casket from trolley and place correctly onto charger. 2.5 Place coffin or casket into the cremation chamber. |
3. Operate cremator. | 3.1 Select cremation cycle and run according to manufacturer guidelines. 3.2 Maintain cremator at optimum operating condition according to manufacturer guidelines. 3.3 Identify critical equipment and processes and monitor cremator performance. 3.4 Tune cremator according to manufacturer guidelines or report faults to appropriate personnel. |
4. Complete cremations. | 4.1 Inspect deceased person’s remains at conclusion of cremation cycle and take corrective action. 4.2 Clean primary hearth after deceased person’s remains are fully cremated. 4.3 Place cremated remains in cooling tray. 4.4 Store cleaning equipment after use. 4.5 Process, package, label and shelve cremated remains. 4.6 Record and document shelving details. |
5. Shut down cremator. | 5.1 Identify and apply shutdown procedures according to manufacturer guidelines. 5.2 Reset trips and alarm after shutdown. |
6. Maintain cremator. | 6.1 Inspect cremator according to manufacturer guidelines. 6.2 Follow operational maintenance procedures for cremator according to manufacturer guidelines. 6.3 Report and document maintenance work. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
start up, stabilise, operate, monitor and shut down cremator correctly according to manufacturer guidelines, workplace policies and procedures
interpret, process and complete documentation to ensure accurate records are maintained for processing and storage of remains
apply accurate and sensitive processing of cremated remains according to regulatory requirements and workplace policies and procedures
use safe manual handling techniques.
Evidence of performance of cremating coffins and caskets 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:
crematorium procedures
personal protective clothing used in cremating coffins and caskets
operating and maintenance requirements of relevant tools and equipment, including corrective actions in case of faults
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety, conduct of cremations and completion of required documentation
workplace policies and procedures regarding cremation
professional funeral services industry parameters in dealing with the deceased and the bereaved
environmental impacts in relation to cremations 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 substances.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a crematoria workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
human remains requiring cremation
cremator
personal protective equipment
under industry operating 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 relevant personnel
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