Lesson 1Safety checks before family arrives: collapse danger, underground lines, access pathsThis part looks at safety checks before the family arrives, including ground firmness, collapse dangers, buried lines, vehicle and foot access, and emergency plans, making sure the site is safe and respectful before the family gets to the grave.
Visual inspection for cracks and slumpsLocating and marking buried utilitiesAssessing vehicle and hearse access routesPedestrian paths and trip hazard controlWeather, lighting, and visibility checksEmergency response and rescue planningLesson 2Tools, gear, and safety wear list: spades, picks, planks, ropes, lowering toolsGo over key tools, gear, and safety wear for grave preparation, including hand tools, planks, ropes, lowering tools, and check routines, ensuring all is suitable, safely kept, and ready before the funeral service in Namibian conditions.
Core hand tools and their upkeepBoards, ladders, and access aidsRopes, slings, and lowering gearPPE for excavation and handlingPre-use inspection and defect logsStorage, transport, and securityLesson 3Handling dug soil: placement, firming up, avoiding dirt spread, erosion preventionThis part explains how to place, shape, and firm up dug soil piles to stop collapse, dirt spread, and erosion, including safe distances from the grave side, water runoff control, separating soil layers, and protecting nearby graves and paths.
Safe setback distances for spoil heapsLayering and separating soil horizonsCovering spoil to limit dust and mudRunoff channels and silt barriersPreventing contamination of pathwaysBackfill preparation and compactionLesson 4Site check in rainy conditions: soil kinds, water level, drainage signsThis part focuses on checking wet sites before digging, covering soil kinds, water level signs, surface drainage patterns, recent rain, and nearby buildings, so you can pick safe digging methods and plan good water control for Namibian weather.
Reading soil texture and structureRecognizing high water table signsSurface drainage and ponding patternsImpact of recent and forecast rainInfluence of trees, walls, and pathsSelecting safe methods from findingsLesson 5Temporary shielding of nearby graves and plants during diggingLearn how to protect nearby graves, stones, and plants from harm during digging by using barriers, padding, and access controls, while planning machine movement and soil placement to keep the cemetery looking good.
Surveying nearby headstones and markersInstalling boards, mats, and barriersRoot zones and tree protection methodsMachinery routes to avoid monumentsDust, mud, and debris containmentPost-excavation site restoration stepsLesson 6Rule-based depth and standard grave sizes for adult coffin burialsKnow the legal depth needs and standard grave sizes for adult coffin burials, including width, length, and space, plus local changes, double-depth graves, and how to check against cemetery rules and maps in Namibia.
Typical adult coffin grave dimensionsMinimum cover and depth regulationsDouble-depth and family plot layoutsClearances from paths and structuresChecking local and faith-based rulesDocumenting approved dimensionsLesson 7Supporting and bracing ways: use of wooden planks, trench boxes, and short-term propsThis part explains when and how to use supporting and bracing systems, including wooden planks, trench boxes, and hydraulic props, to stop wall collapse, protect workers, and follow digging safety rules in different soil types.
Soil classification and support needsTimber sheeting and waler systemsUse and limits of trench boxesHydraulic and mechanical shoringInspection and maintenance routinesRemoval sequence to avoid collapseLesson 8Recordkeeping for grave spot, sizes, and pre-burial state (what to write down)Learn how to record grave spot, sizes, soil state, and pre-burial site condition, including photos and drawings, so future upkeep, digging up, or family questions can use accurate, trackable, and rule-following records.
Grave numbering and map referencesRecording dimensions and depth dataNoting soil type and water presencePhotographic and sketch recordsDocumenting protections and shoringSecure storage of records and updatesLesson 9Digging methods for firmness in wet ground: stepping, terracing, slopingLearn digging methods that keep firmness in wet or soaked ground, including stepping, terracing, and sloping, plus water removal options, watching for shifts, and adjusting to changing weather and underground water levels.
Identifying saturated and weak soilsBenching and stepping grave wallsSafe sloping angles by soil typeUse of pumps and simple drainageMonitoring wall movement and heaveBackfilling in wet conditions safelyLesson 10Measuring, marking and pegging: side and height controls, level checksThis part explains how to measure, mark, and peg graves using tapes, levels, and reference points, ensuring right alignment, depth, and slope, while protecting existing markers and allowing safe machine and carrier access.
Setting reference lines and benchmarksMarking grave corners with stakesChecking length, width, and squarenessUsing levels for depth and fallAllowing space for access and gearProtecting nearby markers while marking
