WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

Sustainable Safety in
Cemeteries

Andre van den Berg –

Drakenstein Municipality
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

1. Laws
2. Risks
3. Cemetery Safety
Program
4. Safety Tips
5. Risk Matrix Example
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• GRAVESAFE Training Programme

• GRAVESAFE is a two-day practical training
programme firmly based on the responsibility and
obligations of both employers and employees as
specified in S.21 and S.25 of the Occupational Health
and Safety (OH&S) Act.
• Facilitated by Ian and Ann Aitken, Directors of TABS,
GRAVESAFE is designed for trust members,
managers and secretaries, gravediggers and
operations staff, supervisors, contractors, booking staff
and funeral directors.
• Objectives
• Identify and discuss risks in the cemetery workplace
• Provide required action to eliminate, or at least
minimise, workplace risks
• Provide examples of action to achieve a safe cemetery
workplace
• Inform participants how to assess the risks and
minimise risks in their cemetery workplace.
LAWS

• Occupational
Health and Safety
Act, 1993 (Act 85
of 1993)
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• Occupational Health and Safety Act,

1993 (Act 85 of 1993)
Section 8. Duties of the employer:
• 8 (1) every employer shall provide and
maintain, as far as is reasonably
practicable, a working environment that
is safe and without risk to the health of
his employees
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• 8 (2) ….. Duties include in particular

• (d) establishing, as far as is reasonably
practicable, what hazards to the health or safety of
persons are attached to any work which is performed,
any article or substance which is produced, processed,
used, handled, stores or transported and any plant or
machinery which is used in his business, and he shall,
as far as is reasonably practicable, further establish
what precautionary measures should be taken with
respect to such work, article, substance, plant or
machinery in order to protect the health and safety of
persons, and he shall provide the necessary means to
apply such precautionary measures
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• Section 13. Duty to inform

• 13. Without derogating from any specific duty imposed
on an employer by this Act, every employer shall –
• as far as is reasonably practicable, cause every
employee to be made conversant with the hazards to
his health and safety attached to any work which he has
to perform, any article or substance which he has to
produce, process, use, handle, store or transport and
any plant or machinery which he is required or permitted
to use, as well as with the precautionary measures
which should be taken and observed with respect to
those hazards;
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• The National Environmental

Management Act (107 of 1998)
– Section 28 … that every person who causes
or may cause significant pollution or
degradation of the environment must take
reasonable measures to prevent such
pollution…
• The National Water act (36 of 1998)
– Part 4 deals with pollution
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

ACTIVITY HAZARD IMPACT PPC ACTIONS

sides collapse death /injury

Underground water disease

Manual
dust respiratory

heat exhaustion
Overall; Safety shoes; Work in Pairs; Use ladder to get
Gum boots; into or out of grave; Must
Grave sides collapse death /injury Leather gloves; have communication to
Digging Hard hat; Dust senior personnel; pump
mask; eye ground water to sewer
Underground water disease protection system

Mechanical dust respiratory

heat exhaustion

equipment failure death /injury

• Cemetery Safety Program
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• What to Include in a Cemetery Safety

Program
• Evaluation of Workplace Safety
• Injury Reports and Accident Investigation
• Safety Policy Violations – Discipline
• Preventive Maintenance
• Employee Training
• Workers’ Compensation Reporting
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

SOP Handbook (Job Safety Handbook)

• meeting the communications and
training requirements of an effective
Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• The following is a partial list of the

topics covered by a job safety
handbook:
– General Safety and Health Program
– Reporting Unsafe Work Conditions and
Injuries or Illnesses
– General Safety Rules
– Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and
Respirators
• The following is a partial list of the topics
covered by a job safety handbook:
– General Safety and Health Program
– Reporting Unsafe Work Conditions and Injuries or
Illnesses
– First Aid and Medical Attention
– General Safety Rules
– General Work Environment
– Lifting / Ergonomics
– Workplace Security
– Hazard Communication (Right-to-Know)
– Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and
Respirators
– Exposure Control - Blood borne Pathogens
Infection Control
– Protective Equipment
– Housekeeping / Laundry
– Hand Tools /Portable Power Tools
– Portable Ladders
– Entering Confined Spaces / Cranes
– Horticultural Operations - Equipment and
Machinery
– Hand-Held Horticultural Tools
– Horticultural Chemical Applicator
– Rigs / Tanks
– Housekeeping Assignments
– Machinery Operation
 STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
Grave Digging
• Manual – Re-opens / Reserved Graves
– The grave diggers must wear PPE (safety
boots, gum boots, dust/respiratory musk &
gloves)
– Collect tools (spade & pick) from storeroom.
– The supervisor allocates each team to a
grave after confirming the grave number.
– Supervisor transports the equipment to the
grave.
 STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
– The staff is then transported to the allocated
site.
– 2 Grave diggers begin digging (1 inside & 1
outside), alternating duties.
– Supervisor checks on staff at all times during
re-opening. Supervisor must use the checklist
and sign to declare the grave safe.
– The checklist should contain/indicate (cracked
wall, collapsing soil, the grave depth)
 STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
– Once they dig to a depth of between 1.2 and
1.8M, they must use a stepladder to climb out.
– When the staff completes the re-open they
are transported / walk to another grave.
– Supervisor checks that all graves are dug and
employees are taken back to change/shower
room.
 STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
– Machine Operator digs on instruction of the
supervisor.
– The supervisor checks that all holes are correctly dug
according to requirements.
– Supervisor to always wear PPE .
– Change the grave when there are cracks.
– The distance between the new graves should be
50cm.
– The grave should be 1.8M deep.
– Place “Beware of Open Grave” signage next to open
graves.
 STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
• Machine Operator (Outsourced) Fresh graves
– Wear PPE (ear protection, safety boots, overall,
Kidney belt for operator, reflective vest)
– Ensure that the operator has Certificate of Fitness
– Ensure the driver has a relevant operator’s license
– Supervisors identify the section to be dug.
– 1 Person marks off the graves to be dug and 1
Person operates the machine.
 Safety Compliance
• PPE & PPC Compliance.
• Report each incident fully and recommendations to avoid
recurrence.
• Operate equipment in a safe manner
• Ensure grave complies to coffin size
• Keep working area clean and hygienic
• Observe Safe working Procedure.
• Wear safety apparel
• Use safety boards in unstable ground
• Place safety netting/ chevron tape at open grave site
• Place open grave advisory notice within area of operation
• Do not eat or drink without first washing.
• Clean equipment after use.
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• Inspection Checklist
– General Work Environment
– Hazard Communication
– Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing, Eyes / Face, Head,
Hand, Foot, Respirators
– Exposure Control – Blood borne Pathogens
– Infection Control - Protective Equipment, Housekeeping,
Laundry
– Hand Tools and Equipment / Portable Ladders
– Portable Power Tools and Equipment
– Horticultural Operations
• Equipment / Machinery
• Hand-Held Horticultural Tools
• Horticultural Chemical Applicator Rigs / Tanks
• Machine Operation and Guarding
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• Forms
– Training Checklist
– Report of Injury Accident
– Accident Investigation Report
– Employee Report of Safety / Health Hazards
– Hazard Correction Action Plan
– General Hazard Evaluation Worksheet
– Specific Hazard Evaluation Worksheet
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

Safety and Health Training Events

• When the Program is first established;
– To all new employees;
– To all employees given new job assignments for which training
has not previously been received
• Whenever new substances, processes, procedures or
equipment are introduced to the workplace and
represent a new hazard;
• Whenever the employer is made aware of a new or
previously unrecognized hazard; and,
• For supervisors to familiarize themselves with the
safety and health hazards to which employees under
their immediate direction and control may be exposed.
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

Cemetery Worker Safety (Training)

• Cemetery workers should use good work
practices and get training on job hazards
such as :
– Field safety,
– Ergonomics and
– Excavation.
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

Tips on grave digging by hand or with

excavating equipment
• If you use manual digging tools, ensure
they are the proper size and weight for you
to use them properly;
• Always use a functional and proper tool for
the job.
• Follow trenching safety rules when digging
graves, as required by the OSH Act.
 Grave digging tops cont.

• Use ladder for climbing down or out

• Never work alone have a observer -
• Communications -Must have means of
communication to office / snr personnel
• After the grave is excavated, mark the
area clearly to prevent falls.
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• Practice field safety including:

– sun protection and
– taking precautions for cold and heat stress.
• Learn about hazardous pests such as
– wasps, bees and snakes and the appropriate response and first
aid for stings and bites.
• Avoid slips, trips and falls by moving cautiously through
the landscape and being aware of uneven ground.
• Avoid walking over grave sites and concrete slabs
– older graves may cave in while slabs may be covered with
slippery moss or lichen
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

Tips on grounds keeping:

include lawn maintenance, trimming trees and shrubs, and
attending to grave sites.
• Inspect and maintain lawn equipment according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
such as steel-toed boots and sturdy work gloves.
• When mixing and applying chemical fertilizers and
pesticides, use chemical safety precautions such as:
– safety goggles,
– impermeable coveralls,
– chemical-resistant gloves and
– Respiratory protection.
 I believe we all see the top of the ice berg in regard to safety in the
cemeteries.

I believe we can do a lot to improve the safety of our workers as well

as the public by starting to implement safety measures.

I want to plead with us all to contribute by making available your

Standing Operational Procedures to INCA so that we all can share in
the knowledge.
• Practice safe cemetery operations and
stay on top of your work
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

Sustainable Safety in
Cemeteries

Andre van den Berg –

Drakenstein Municipality
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY
Storing of tools Marking of health care
 WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY

• Safe work conditions

– Exhumations
• PPC
– Overall; Safety shoes; Gum boots; Leather gloves; Hard hat;
chemical-resistant gloves and impermeable coveralls
• PPE
– Disinfect tools, Wash yourself with disinfectants; treat disposals
as medical waste
• Risks
– Disease
– Handling of remains
– Polluted ground
– polluted water
– Bacteria
– Fungi
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY
Health Hazards
Mason works
Safety of the visitors i.e. mugging, rape
or murder
Environmental safety.