Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:21 AM AWST
22/07/2026 8:21 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Dig a grave manually
Dig a grave manually
Unit of competency
National Code
SIFBCR020A
SIFBCR020A
State Code
S7036
S7036
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/06/2010
Field of Education
110399 - Personal Services, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
21/06/2010
Nominal Hours
25
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manually dig and re-open graves in a safe manner and assess gravesites to minimise the risk of grave collapse.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Conduct manual grave excavation and shoring.
- 1.1 Determine gravedigging requirement according to work requirements, risk assessment and relevant legislation and regulations.
- 1.2 Identify and locate gravesite according to cemetery map or plan and physical location.
- 1.3 Select and prepare personal protective equipment according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
- 1.4 Assess grave shoring requirements according to workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.
- 1.5 Manually dig grave according to dimensions of coffin or casket using appropriate tools and equipment in accordance with relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
- 1.6 Identify and apply workplace procedures for safe storage of displaced earth or removal from site.
- 1.7 Undertake progressive grave shoring requirements according to job requirement using safe and appropriate shoring method.
- 1.8 Maintain above and below ground communication with other team members.
2 Minimise risk of grave collapse.
- 2.1 Maintain safe surface loadings according to soil type and condition.
- 2.2 Constantly monitor excavation for grave collapse warning signs.
- 2.3 Take appropriate corrective or emergency action according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
3 Clean up and make safe open gravesite.
- 3.1 Cover surface area from edge of excavation to ensure soil integrity and stability and to provide safe work area for funeral.
- 3.2 Place grave supports and lowering devices in readiness for coffin or casket according to work requirements.
- 3.3 Clean area adjacent to grave and remove earth according to workplace policies and procedures to ensure safety of funeral work area.
- 3.4 Place protective restraints to ensure access by authorised personnel only, according to relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Gravedigging requirement may include:
re-opening existing site
new site
coffin or casket measurement
required depth of excavation.
Relevant legislation and regulations may include:
OHS
grave re-opening
workers' compensation, legislation and regulations
cemetery Acts and by-laws
local government regulations
Lands Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
Australian standards
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
Personal protective equipment may include:
overalls
steel-capped boots
jacket
long sleeves
gloves
safety glasses or goggles
hard hat
hat or cap
gumboots
ear plugs or muffs
sun protection
two-way radio.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
standard operating policies and procedures
standards and certification requirements
quality assurance procedures
OHS procedures
emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures.
Grave shoring requirements may include:
required depth of grave
required depth of excavation for re-opening
techniques to deal with soil types and conditions, such as:
sand
clay
rock
length of time soil exposed
breakdown of cohesive strength of soil
soil fretting
soil compaction
tension cracks.
Tools and equipment may include:
spreaders
boards
hydraulic braces
stabilisers
spades
shovels
picks
crowbars
auger
timber tom
sledgehammer
timber mallet
power saw
handsaw
timber of correct or recommended grade, size and type
ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard
explosive power tool.
Safe storage of displaced earth may include:
truck
vacant site.
Progressive grave shoring requirements may include:
top of grave shored to a minimum of 300 millimetres
sides of grave shored where depth exceeds 1.5 metres.
Shoring method may include:
box set
closed timbering for wet sand or refilled ground
soldier set or box sets for firm, hard clay
shields where suitable for rock.
Grave collapse warning signs may include:
fretting from top edge
slump in surface near excavation
tension cracks
support timbers bowing or creaking.
Corrective or emergency action may include:
alternative shoring methods
use of a sludge pump
reduced soil loadings
evacuation of gravesite.
Protective restraints may include:
sheeting
barricades
temporary fencing
reinforced covers.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Gravedigging requirement may include:
re-opening existing site
new site
coffin or casket measurement
required depth of excavation.
Relevant legislation and regulations may include:
OHS
grave re-opening
workers' compensation, legislation and regulations
cemetery Acts and by-laws
local government regulations
Lands Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
Australian standards
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.
Personal protective equipment may include:
overalls
steel-capped boots
jacket
long sleeves
gloves
safety glasses or goggles
hard hat
hat or cap
gumboots
ear plugs or muffs
sun protection
two-way radio.
Workplace policies and procedures may include:
standard operating policies and procedures
standards and certification requirements
quality assurance procedures
OHS procedures
emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures.
Grave shoring requirements may include:
required depth of grave
required depth of excavation for re-opening
techniques to deal with soil types and conditions, such as:
sand
clay
rock
length of time soil exposed
breakdown of cohesive strength of soil
soil fretting
soil compaction
tension cracks.
Tools and equipment may include:
spreaders
boards
hydraulic braces
stabilisers
spades
shovels
picks
crowbars
auger
timber tom
sledgehammer
timber mallet
power saw
handsaw
timber of correct or recommended grade, size and type
ladder that complies with requirements of current Australian standard
explosive power tool.
Safe storage of displaced earth may include:
truck
vacant site.
Progressive grave shoring requirements may include:
top of grave shored to a minimum of 300 millimetres
sides of grave shored where depth exceeds 1.5 metres.
Shoring method may include:
box set
closed timbering for wet sand or refilled ground
soldier set or box sets for firm, hard clay
shields where suitable for rock.
Grave collapse warning signs may include:
fretting from top edge
slump in surface near excavation
tension cracks
support timbers bowing or creaking.
Corrective or emergency action may include:
alternative shoring methods
use of a sludge pump
reduced soil loadings
evacuation of gravesite.
Protective restraints may include:
sheeting
barricades
temporary fencing
reinforced covers.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to select, prepare, use, maintain and clean the required tools and equipment according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer's instructions
ability to identify gravesite location and to assess safe excavation and shoring requirements for re-opening and manual gravedigging
constant monitoring of excavation for grave collapse and ability to take immediate corrective actions during manual gravedigging
digging graves manually on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of skills in a cemetery environment that allows for the digging of graves to accommodate required dimensions of coffins or caskets and application of appropriate shoring methods
access to relevant tools and equipment, including gravedigging tools and personal protective equipment
access to grave supports, lowering devices and protective restraints.
access to relevant documentation, including cemetery map or plan.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of candidate accessing, shoring and manually digging a new grave
observation of candidate accessing, shoring and re-opening a grave
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SIFBCR017A Prepare for gravedigging.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to select, prepare, use, maintain and clean the required tools and equipment according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and manufacturer's instructions
ability to identify gravesite location and to assess safe excavation and shoring requirements for re-opening and manual gravedigging
constant monitoring of excavation for grave collapse and ability to take immediate corrective actions during manual gravedigging
digging graves manually on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of skills in a cemetery environment that allows for the digging of graves to accommodate required dimensions of coffins or caskets and application of appropriate shoring methods
access to relevant tools and equipment, including gravedigging tools and personal protective equipment
access to grave supports, lowering devices and protective restraints.
access to relevant documentation, including cemetery map or plan.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of candidate accessing, shoring and manually digging a new grave
observation of candidate accessing, shoring and re-opening a grave
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SIFBCR017A Prepare for gravedigging.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WG568 | SIFCBCR003 | Dig graves manually | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D338 | SIF30208 | Certificate III in Gravedigging, Grounds and Maintenance | Qualification |