Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare and supervise the exhumation of burial sites. It applies to cemetery and crematorium supervisory staff and funeral directors who are responsible for exhumations and overseeing the work of others. It involves ensuring that all 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 for exhumations. | 1.1 Confirm legality of reason for exhuming grave. 1.2 Identify correct burial site from cemetery map or plan. 1.3 Liaise with appropriate personnel to identify work requirements and confirm areas of responsibility in performing exhumation. 1.4 Confirm tools, equipment and machinery required and confirm assembly and checks. 1.5 Communicate identified hazards and assist staff to take corrective action. 1.6 Supervise staff in placing protective restraints to restrict access to site to authorised personnel. |
2. Supervise exhumation of deceased persons. | 2.1 Supervise exhumation to ensure it is performed according to relevant legislation, workplace policies and procedures, and universal precautions. 2.2 Ensure the use of screens or other means to protect privacy of the remains. 2.3 Supervise and assist staff in enclosing remains of the deceased person and coffin or casket in appropriate casing as required. 2.4 Supervise staff and assist in transferring remains as required. 2.5 Evaluate exhumations to inform continuous improvement processes. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
identify burial location and to assess safe exhumation methods
communicate exhumation requirements and confirm areas of responsibility to appropriate personnel
coordinate required personnel, tools, equipment and machinery and monitor operations to ensure all exhumations are conducted safely and efficiently and in accordance with work requirements
supervise the safe and efficient exhumation of remains using infection control procedures and reinstate good presentation of burial sites at conclusion of exhumation.
Evidence of performance of supervising five or more exhumations is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
types of burial sites
federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to work health and safety/occupational health and safety and conduct of exhumations, including universal precautions
workplace policies and procedures in relation to exhumations
gravedigging procedures
shoring methods and procedures in relation to the conduct of exhumations
tools and equipment and their associated uses in relation to the conduct of exhumations
machinery operations in relation to the conduct of exhumation
hazards associated with exhumations
purpose and use of protective restraints.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a cemetery workplace:
using suitable equipment and resources, including:
human remains to be exhumed
protective restraints, appropriate privacy screens and tools and equipment required to exhume a burial site
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
Cemetery and Crematoria Administration and Coordination