1.6 CEMETERIES
Our business partners , stakeholders and customers
Community Grieving families Family history enthusiasts Funeral directors Monumentalists Internal - Town and surrounds Internal - Information and Communications Technology ( ICT )
How we are managing the key operational risks
Risk
• Multiple departments involved in the operation of the cemeteries
Clarity of roles , responsibilities and accountability is therefore important to ensure that service delivery is consistent and without error .
• Workplace health and safety risks associated with burials
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 , anyone who can affect the health and safety in the workplace has a legal responsibility to protect it . As an employer , Council must provide : 1 . A safe workplace and methods of working 2 . Equipment , tools and machinery in a safe condition 3 . Information , training and supervision to all workers 4 . A process of consultation with workers to keep them informed and involved in decisions that may affect their health and safety 5 . Processes for identifying hazards and assessing and controlling risks .
• Maintaining compliance with applicable legislation and standards
All activities undertaken within the cemetery grounds must comply with the following :
1 . AS 4204-1194 Headstones and Cemetery Monuments 2 . AS 4425-1996 Above Ground Burial Structures 3 . AS 1470-1986 Health & Safety at Work 4 . AS 2865-2009 Safe Work in Confined Spaces 5 . National Standards of Manual Handling also apply .
Actions
This risk is managed through the initial development and operation of a Service Level Agreement between the Communication , Information & Administration Services Department ( who takes the lead in the management of Cemeteries ) and the Town & Surrounds team who are involved in specific steps .
Council has developed several procedures for work within cemeteries . These include Toolbox talks , Risk Assessments , Job Safety Analysis ( JSA ), Codes of Practice , Trained staff , processes and procedures .
1 . JSA – Cemetery Operations 2 . JSA – Excavations 3 . JSA – Manual Handling 4 . JSA – Digging Graves 5 . JSA – Backhoe Operations 6 . JSA – Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) 7 . JSA – Incident Reporting
• When excavating a grave , two people must be in attendance ; Council staff will locate the required plot via row number and plot number as per the customer ’ s application .
• The Town & Surrounds team program the excavation of site to a maximum depth of 2.4 metres for a double interment laying shoring boards , bars and certified aluminium ground cover .
• Site preparation is completed by 8:30am on the day of the funeral .
• Council staff backfill the plot as soon as possible after the departure of the family and the removal of the funeral director ’ s equipment to ensure the safety of those on site .
( AS = Australian Standards )
• Consistency of service levels • Council has developed a policy as the overarching framework for cemetery operations ( Adopted as per Council Resolution GM / 05.2014 / 49 ).
• A Burial Procedure has also been prepared .
76 Our plans for 2021 / 22