21961 version 1
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Perform manual grave digging
Level / 3Credits / 10
PurposeThis unit standard is for people working in cemeteries. People credited with this unit standard are able to: conduct manual grave excavation and shoring; minimise risk of grave collapse; and clean up and make safe an open grave site.
Subfield / HorticultureDomain / Amenity Horticulture
Status / Registered
Status date / 20 June 2006
Date version published / 20 June 2006
Planned review date / 31 December 2009
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and teaching professional in the same field from another provider.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0032
This AMAP can be accessed at
Special notes
1The Primary Industry Training Organisation acknowledges the assistance provided by the Service Industry Skills Council of Australia in permitting their unit of competency to be used as the basis for this unit standard. This unit standard is based on the unit of competency WFSBCR312A, Perform manual grave digging.
2A grave site is a place of burial, above and below ground, immediately in front of, and including a headstone (or the immediate area), where a casket is buried. The grave site may or may not be formally identified or lined.
3Workplace policies and procedures may include but are not limited to – standard operating policies and procedures, standards and certification requirements, quality assurance procedures, health and safety procedures, emergency, fire and accident procedures.
4Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Burial and Cremation Act 1964, and bylaws.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Conduct manual grave excavation and shoring.
Performance criteria
1.1Appropriate grave site is identified and located.
1.2Personal protective equipment is prepared and used in accordance with health and safety procedures and workplace policies and procedures.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – protective clothing, head protection, foot protection, eye protection, ear protection, sun protection, two-way radio.
1.3Grave shoring requirements are assessed in relation to depth of grave and soil conditions in accordance with workplace policies and procedures and applicable legislation.
Rangesoil types and conditions may include but are not limited to – sand, clay, rock, length of time soil exposed, breakdown of cohesion strength of soil, soil fretting, soil compaction, tension cracks.
1.4Grave is manually dug to suit dimensions of coffin or casket using appropriate tools and equipment in accordance with health and safety procedures, workplace policies and procedures, and applicable legislation.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – spreaders; boards; hydraulic braces; stabilisers; spade; shovel; pick; crowbar; auger; timber tong; sledge hammer; timber mallet; explosive power tool; power saw; hand saw; timber of correct grade, size and type; ladder; grave sleeves; helmet; tape measure; level and plumb bob.
1.5Displaced earth is placed on vehicle, vacant site, or other appropriate location pending backfilling and/or removal.
1.6Soil at the top of the grave is shored in accordance with workplace policies and procedures to a minimum depth of 300mm from the surface.
1.7Sides of the grave are progressively shored during digging using an appropriate shoring method, where depth of grave exceeds 1.5m, or as instructed by supervisor.
Rangeshoring methods may include but are not limited to – box set; closed timbering for wet sand and/or refilled ground; solider set or box sets for firm, hard clay; shields where suitable for rock; grave sleeve.
1.8Access and egress to and from confined spaces are undertaken by means of an appropriate ladder.
1.9Effective communication is carried out with other team members in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.
Rangeabove ground, below ground.
Element 2
Minimise risk of grave collapse.
Performance criteria
2.1Surface loadings are maintained at levels appropriate for the soil type and condition.
2.2Excavation is monitored for grave collapse warning signs.
2.3Grave collapse warning signs are identified in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – fretting from top edge, slump in the surface near an excavation, tension cracks, support timbers bowing or creaking.
2.4Appropriate strategies to prevent the grave collapse are identified and agreed with team members.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – shoring, reducing soil loadings.
2.5Selected strategies are implemented in accordance with health and safety procedures.
Element 3
Clean up and make safe an open grave site.
Performance criteria
3.1Surface area from the edge of the excavation is covered appropriately to ensure the integrity and stability of the soil.
3.2Grave supports and lowering devices are placed in readiness for the coffin or casket.
3.3Area adjacent to grave is tidied and earth is removed or stockpiled in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.
3.4Protective restraints are placed to limit access to the site when grave is left unattended, in accordance with workplace policies and procedures and applicable legislation.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – sheeting, barricades, temporary fencing, reinforced covers.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the New Zealand Industry Training Organisation you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019