Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply risk control processes at a cemetery or crematorium as related to relevant legislation and AS/NZS4360 :1999 Risk Management or its authorised update or replacement. It includes identifying hazards; assessing risks; identifying unacceptable risks; identifying, analysing and implementing risk treatment; and completing records and reports associated with entry to confined spaces for maintenance and servicing of crematoria or other necessary reasons, such as preparing graves in green and brownfield sites, reopening and exhuming graves.
It applies to cemetery and crematorium staff and contractors who are competent in following confined space requirements and trained in incident response, including first aid or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
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. Assess risk and identify unacceptable risk in cemetery and crematorium. | 1.1 Conduct a risk assessment of potential hazards in the cemetery or crematorium. 1.2 Evaluate and determine consequence if a confined space is present. 1.3 Consider and determine likelihood of hazard exposure. 1.4 Identify and source criteria for acceptability or unacceptability of the risk. 1.5 Evaluate risk against criteria to identify if it warrants ‘unacceptable risk’ status and action or refer to appropriate party as required. |
2. Identify confined space hazards in cemetery and crematorium. | 2.1 Clearly identify actual and potential confined spaces through review of the nature of the space and its characteristics. 2.2 Analyse work area conditions to identify or recognise potential confined space hazards in the workplace. 2.3 Access and analyse information on existing risk control practices and use as appropriate. 2.4 Recognise type and scope of unresolved confined space hazards and their likely impact. |
3. Identify, analyse and implement risk treatments for an identified confined space. | 3.1 Identify and consider all possible risk treatment options. 3.2 Identify feasible options by preliminary analysis and consideration of possible options. 3.3 Analyse feasible risk treatment options and identify resource requirements. 3.4 Select most appropriate action for dealing with the risk. 3.5 Plan and prepare for risk control in detail and acquire or obtain required resources. |
4. Complete records and reports. | 4.1 Communicate information on risk control implementation to relevant people. 4.2 Complete records and reports for hazards and risk control actions from personal risk assessment as specified by legislative and site requirements. 4.3 Provide feedback and input to WHS practitioners on range of variables associated with confined space work to improve hazard and risk management. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
identify confined space workplace hazards, and assess and control safety risks for a cemetery or crematorium operation and in line with regulatory requirements
develop and implement risk assessment processes and procedures.
Evidence of performance of identifying hazards and assessing risks on five or more cemetery or crematorium operations is required to demonstrate consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge of:
state or territory work health and safety/occupational health and safety legislation, specifically requirements for:
when, where and how hazards must be identified
when, where and how risk assessments must be conducted
incorporating appropriate consultation into hazard identification and risk assessment process
cemetery and crematorium risk management procedures, including emergency planning
risk assessment areas in the cemetery or crematorium, including but not restricted to:
location of work
duration of work
soil type
shoring requirements
size of work crew
qualifications of contractor or employee work crew
size, depth, dimensions, age and type of grave
size, depth and dimensions of tomb, crypt, vault or furnace
access to the confined space
ground conditions, including adjacent graves, soil make-up and water table
terrain
weather
possible coffin weight and materials
machinery
presence of monuments and their stability
atmospheric test requirements
cemetery and crematorium health and safety system information
characteristics of confined spaces, including:
size and location of grave
availability to access grave, crypt, vault or crematorium
presence of hazardous substances, including hydrogen sulphide from decomposing matter or carbon monoxide from water bailing pumps
presence of flammable contaminants generated by methane of decomposing matter
presence of unsafe oxygen levels associated with sealed coffins, crypt and graves
presence of materials that may result in engulfment through cave in
mechanical hazards, including backhoes or conveyors
signs of falling objects, including monuments or soil and rocks
ignition hazards:
sources of heat
static or friction
plant and equipment that pose risks, including welding, cutting or electronic equipment
activities, including grinding, chipping and sandblasting
electrical hazards
poor ventilation
environmental hazards:
water levels
seepage from neighbouring gravesites
high water tables
non-compacted soil
biological hazards:
viruses and bacteria
microbes and pathogens carried in the water or decomposing tissue
insects, snakes and vermin
contains or has contained (or made of or lined or coated with) substances capable of reducing amount of oxygen present to a dangerous level
risk treatments for an identified confined space, including:
eliminating hazard, including not getting in the grave
substitution, including using another gravesite
engineering controls, including extraction fans on vaults
administrative controls or procedures, including permits and risk assessments for confined space entry
shoring requirements
atmospheric test requirements
mechanical and isolation requirements
stand-by personnel and rescue arrangements, including Tripod or other means of effective rescue
authorisation
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
analysis of decomposing matter and water in space
fire extinguisher
spill kit
first aid kit
eye wash kit
communications equipment
signage
fall and edge protection
cemetery and crematorium communication, reporting and recording procedures.
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:
a cemetery or crematorium operation for which hazard identification and risk assessment can be undertaken
housekeeping equipment and materials and personal protective equipment
organisational policies and procedures, and hazard identification and risk assessment template documents
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 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
Work Health and Safety