Posted By Steve Sanders I don't know of any standard, although I suspect there is one, but digging a grave should be treated in the same way as digging any excavation. Control should be in place to prevent collapse and to ensure the excavation doesn't pose a risk to people or vehicles that may fall into it. Steve

Posted By Ken Taylor Strangely enough, it will come under the Work at Height Regs and require risk assessment taking into account the nature of the ground and ground-water conditions as well as access. In your example, I wouldn't want to be standing in the grave without adequately supported soil and a good ladder of sufficient length. Potential hazards from any other occupants of the grave and soil-borne and animal-related diseases (such as Leptospirosis) should also be considered. It's a long time since I was with a local authority but still remember the grave-digger who ate his sandwiches on site and contracted Weil's Disease. Perhaps a current LA H&S person will have some literature for you on this work?

Posted By Chris G It's not always possible to mechanically dig graves. Access in many rural churchyards - especially to re open a family plot makes physical access for a mechanised digger difficult or impossible. In busy areas, family plots designed to take 3 or 4 interments can be 3m deep. Here in the peak district graves sometimes need cutting through the local limestone. My brother in law occasionally has to resort to pneumatic drilling equipment because of this - adding HAVs & PUWER onto the remit of risks to be assessed for grave digging. He also gets an average of 2 visits per year from the LA's. Not surprising that He's Nebosh Diploma'd and each member of staff receives and average 4 days per annum HS&E training ranging from bio-hazards, COSHH & manual handling through to DSE, environmental assessment & Asbestos awareness. with a fair few more topics as well . A major project for a family vault has recently even got caught up with CDM.

Posted By Philby' Worlds greatest gravdiggers.... Joe Strummer unfortuantely and all too soon using personally one now! and Dave Vanian, aledgedly sleeps in a coffin, well you explain why hes hardly aged! both manual ex gravediggers... I have picturers of both, dirty great holes in the ground, one with scaffold board shuttering, one without Philby'

Posted By M Kirby Thanks to all responders, I have enough information now. Now to spend a day watching a grave being dug..... Can't wait! Best regards Mick

Posted By John Holden The Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration (IBCA) used to produce a Code of Practice for Grave Digging which the HSE used as the definitive standard. They are located c/o The City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London, E12 5DQ, Telephone 0207 7332 3450.