Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Visible signs of grave collapse may include:
fretting from top edge
slump in surface near excavation
tension cracks
support timbers bowing or creaking.


Relevant staff may include:
manager
supervisor
leading hand.


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
care, maintenance and use of tools, equipment and machinery.


Causes of grave collapse may include:
air
vibration
water
ground pressure, such as:
machinery
people
soil
soil types or conditions.


Work requirements may include:
method of grave collapse consolidation
authorisation to enter confined space
required personnel
personal protective equipment
tools and equipment
machinery
safety hazards
protective restraints, such as:
sheeting
barricades
temporary fencing and reinforced covers
appropriate shoring system, such as:
box set
closed timbering for wet sand or refilled ground
soldier set or box sets for firm, hard clay
shields where suitable for rock.


Personal protective equipment may include:
overalls
steel-capped boots
jacket
long sleeves
gloves
safety glasses or goggles
hat or cap
hard hat
gumboots
ear plugs or muffs
sun protection
two-way radio.


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
emergency equipment
sludge pump.


Machinery may include:
backhoe
front-end loader
skidsteer loader
excavator
tractor
truck.


Safety hazards may relate to:
air
water
vibration
heat
slippery surfaces
overhead obstacles
ground pressure, such as:
machinery
people
soil
structures
previously dug graves
monument collapse
foreign objects
drains
cables
sprinklers
pipes
trees and roots.


Corrective action may include:
alternative shoring methods
use of a sludge pump.


Relevant legislation and regulations may include:
OHS
cemetery Acts and by-laws
local government regulations
Lands Act
Public Health Act
Environment Protection Act
Australian standards
Worksafe Australia certification and standards.


Corrective or emergency action may include:
alternative shoring methods
use of a sludge pump
reduced soil loadings
evacuation of gravesite.

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 and assess the causes and methods for treating grave collapses, to make safe the ground surrounding the grave and to consolidate a collapsed grave safely
performs grave collapse consolidation according to work requirements, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.


Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of skills within a cemetery environment where a grave collapse has occurred, which allows for application of shoring skills
access to relevant tools, equipment and machinery
access to personal protective equipment
consolidating collapsed graves on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.


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 identifying, assessing and developing work requirements for a range of grave collapses in a cemetery or other burial environment
observation of candidate applying appropriate shoring methods
observation of candidate performing a range of grave collapse consolidations according to safety requirements
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.

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.