Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of preparing a gravesite and defines the standard required to: select and safely use machinery and equipment for grave site preparation including digging graves by hand and restore a site following a burial service.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the process of preparing a gravesite and involves working in association with a fellow worker or work team.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare site for excavation

1.1. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and reported to the supervisor.

1.2. Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected, used and maintained.

1.3. Tools, equipment and machinery are prepared and used according to supervisor's instructions.

1.4. Surrounding monuments, masonry or headstones that threaten the stability of the new gravesite are inspected and removed if necessary, according to supervisor's instructions.

1.5. Sludge pump is used to remove excess water if required.

1.6. Gravesite is marked out to suit coffin dimensions and according to supervisor's instructions and/or enterprise policy.

2. Assist with the excavation

2.1. Grave is excavated according to enterprise policy.

2.2. Sides of grave are shored where depth of grave exceeds 1.5 metres or as determined by enterprise policy.

2.3. Surface area for 400 mm from the edge of the excavation is covered with an approved material to ensure the integrity and stability of the soil.

2.4. Access to and egress from the excavation site is undertaken according to OHS requirements.

2.5. Gravesite is secured with protective restraints to limit access to the site while being established and when left unattended.

3. Backfill and enhance the gravesite following burial

3.1. Burial hole is back-filled with soil free from large lumps, plant debris or waste material.

3.2. Backfilling techniques are employed to consolidate the soil, to minimise cavities and to restore the ground to its original level.

3.3. Surrounding monuments, masonry or headstones are replaced as necessary.

3.4. Waste material and plant debris removed from the gravesite are disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise policy.

3.5. Gravesite is enhanced according to supervisor's instructions and/or enterprise policy.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• prepare site for excavation
• assist with the excavation
• shore up sides of grave as required
• backfill and enhance the gravesite following burial
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• OHS responsibilities of employees
• applied understanding of safe work practices when working in and around confined spaces
• the environmental impact of soil disturbance when excavating a grave
• the environmental implications of pumping sludge water from an excavation site and the effects it may have on surrounding gravesites.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• select and safely use machinery and equipment for grave site preparation including digging graves by hand
• restore a site following a burial service.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Grave preparation may include:

• all types of graves.

Enhancing a gravesite may include:

• placement of monuments, headstones or masonry
• planting of flowers or other vegetation
• erection of fencing
• laying of gravel/pebbles
• installation of other decorative features.

Unit sector 

Parks and gardens

Co-requisite units 

Competency field