Lesson 1Safety checks before family come: collapse danger, utility checks, access roadsDis part cover safety checks before family arrive, including soil steadiness, collapse dangers, buried pipes and wires, vehicle and people access, and emergency plans, ensuring di site safe and respectful before family reach di graveside.
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, equipment, and PPE list: shovels, picks, boards, ropes, lowering devicesCheck essential tools, equipment, and PPE for grave preparation, including hand tools, boards, ropes, lowering devices, and inspection routines, ensuring everything fit for use, safely kept, and ready before di funeral service.
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 3Managing dug soil: placement, steadying, avoiding dirt spread, erosion controlDis part detail how to place, shape, and steady dug soil piles to avoid collapse, dirt spread, and erosion, including safe distance from grave edge, water flow 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 wet conditions: soil kinds, water level, drainage signsDis part focus on checking wet sites before digging, covering soil kinds, water level signs, surface drainage patterns, recent rain, and nearby buildings, so you fit choose safe digging methods and plan good water control.
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 protection of nearby graves and plants during diggingLearn how to shield nearby graves, stones, and plants from damage during digging by using barriers, padding, and access controls, while planning machine movement and soil placement to keep di cemetery look nice.
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 depth and standard grave size for adult coffin burialsUnderstand legal depth needs and standard grave size for adult coffin burials, including width, length, and space, plus local changes, double-depth graves, and how to check compliance with cemetery rules and maps.
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 methods: use of timber boards, trench boxes, and temporary supportsDis part explain when and how to use supporting and bracing systems, including timber boards, trench boxes, and hydraulic supports, to prevent wall collapse, protect workers, and follow digging safety rules in different soil kinds.
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 location, size, and before-burial condition (wetin to note)Learn how to record grave location, size, soil conditions, and before-burial site state, including photos and drawings, so future upkeep, digging up, or family questions fit rely on accurate, traceable, and rule-following documents.
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 techniques for steadiness in wet ground: benching, stepping, slopingLearn digging techniques wey keep steadiness in wet or water-soaked ground, including benching, stepping, and sloping, plus water removal options, watching for movement, and adapting methods 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 staking: horizontal and vertical controls, level checksDis part explain how to measure, mark, and stake graves using tapes, levels, and reference points, ensuring correct line, depth, and slope, while protecting existing markers and allowing safe machine and carriers 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
