Cemetery Safety Manual

OSHA and Cemetery Operations

Federal OSHA does not maintain a single comprehensive standard specifically for cemeteries.

Instead, applicable OSHA requirements depend on the work being performed.

Cemetery operations may involve both General Industry and Construction requirements.

Depending on operations, applicable requirements may address:

• Excavation.
• Powered Industrial Trucks.
• Mechanized equipment.
• Cranes and lifting equipment.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Hazard Communication.
• Pesticides and chemicals.
• Hand and power tools.
• Electrical safety.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Emergency Action Plans.
• Fire Prevention.
• Construction activities.

The employer should evaluate the individual task rather than assume that all cemetery work falls under one OSHA industry classification.

Grave Excavation and OSHA

Grave excavation is one of the most important regulatory distinctions for cemetery operations.

OSHA has interpreted the act of excavating a grave as construction activity subject to applicable excavation requirements.

This means cemetery employers performing grave excavation should evaluate applicable requirements for:

• Competent-person inspections.
• Underground installations.
• Soil conditions.
• Protective systems.
• Safe access and egress.
• Falling objects.
• Water accumulation.
• Hazardous atmospheres.
• Mobile equipment.
• Excavation stability.

The requirements that apply depend on the dimensions, configuration, conditions, and employee exposure associated with the excavation.

Burial Vault Placement

Burial-vault placement should be distinguished from grave excavation.

Although OSHA considers grave excavation construction work, OSHA has interpreted the placement of a completed concrete burial vault into a grave as not itself a construction activity.

Equipment used to move or place burial vaults may therefore be subject to applicable General Industry equipment requirements rather than automatically falling under OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard.

The employer should evaluate the particular lifting equipment and operation being performed.

Monument Installation

The OSHA classification of monument work can also depend on the activity.

Simply moving a completed headstone or monument from a truck to the ground or onto an already completed foundation generally is not considered construction.

Work involving construction of a monument foundation, physically securing a monument to a foundation, or assembling a monument as part of construction may be treated differently.

The employer should evaluate the actual work being performed.

What Should a Cemetery Safety Manual Include?

Depending on operations, a Cemetery Safety Manual may address:

• Cemetery safety responsibilities.
• Hazard assessments.
• Job Safety Analysis.
• Grave excavation.
• Excavation competent person.
• Underground utilities.
• Open-grave protection.
• Burial-vault handling.
• Casket-lowering operations.
• Monument and headstone handling.
• Rigging and lifting.
• Backhoe and excavator safety.
• Mobile equipment.
• Groundskeeping.
• Mowers.
• Trimmers and brush cutters.
• Chainsaws.
• Tree work.
• Pesticides and herbicides.
• Irrigation.
• Hand and power tools.
• Manual material handling.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Heat and cold stress.
• Public safety.
• Funeral-service setup.
• Emergency procedures.

Programs should be selected according to the cemetery’s actual work and employee exposures.

Cemetery Safety Program

An effective Cemetery Safety Program establishes responsibilities and procedures for burial operations, grave excavation, equipment, monument handling, grounds maintenance, chemicals, public safety, and other cemetery hazards.

Management should provide:

• Safe equipment.
• Appropriate employee training.
• Hazard assessments.
• Written procedures.
• Required PPE.
• Qualified equipment operators.
• Excavation controls.
• Appropriate lifting equipment.
• Emergency resources.
• Effective supervision.

Managers and supervisors should identify hazards, establish safe work practices, correct unsafe conditions, maintain equipment, coordinate contractors, investigate incidents, and provide required employee training.

Employees should follow established procedures, use required PPE, operate only equipment they are trained and authorized to use, and promptly report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, injuries, and near misses.

Cemetery Hazard Assessments

Hazard assessments should consider each major cemetery activity.

Potential work areas include:

• Grave sites.
• Excavation areas.
• Monument areas.
• Roads.
• Walkways.
• Maintenance shops.
• Equipment-storage areas.
• Chemical-storage areas.
• Landscaping areas.
• Irrigation systems.
• Public gathering areas.

Potential hazards may include:

• Excavations.
• Unstable monuments.
• Heavy equipment.
• Vehicle traffic.
• Falling objects.
• Uneven terrain.
• Trees and branches.
• Chemicals.
• Weather.
• Manual handling.

Assessments should be reviewed when operations, equipment, or conditions change.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)

A JSA/JHA may be used to evaluate higher-risk cemetery activities.

Potential JSAs/JHAs may address:

• Grave excavation.
• Grave setup.
• Burial-vault placement.
• Casket-lowering setup.
• Monument handling.
• Headstone installation.
• Backhoe operation.
• Mowing.
• Chainsaw operation.
• Tree trimming.
• Pesticide application.
• Snow removal.

The analysis should identify job steps, hazards, controls, PPE, and employee responsibilities.

Grave Excavation

Grave digging may be performed using:

• Backhoes.
• Excavators.
• Specialized grave-digging equipment.
• Hand tools.

Before excavation begins, the work should be planned and potential hazards evaluated.

Employees should not enter an excavation until applicable safety requirements have been addressed.

Excavation Competent Person

Where OSHA excavation requirements apply, inspections and evaluations should be performed by a competent person as required.

The competent person should be capable of identifying existing and predictable excavation hazards and have authority to take prompt corrective measures.

Responsibilities may include evaluating:

• Soil conditions.
• Excavation stability.
• Protective systems.
• Adjacent structures.
• Water accumulation.
• Underground utilities.
• Equipment hazards.
• Changing weather conditions.

Underground Utilities

Before excavation begins, potential underground installations should be identified.

These may include:

• Electrical lines.
• Gas.
• Water.
• Sewer.
• Irrigation.
• Communications.
• Other buried systems.

Cemetery personnel should not assume an area is free of underground utilities simply because it has historically been used for burials.

Existing Graves and Cemetery Infrastructure

Cemetery excavation requires consideration of existing:

• Graves.
• Burial vaults.
• Crypts.
• Monuments.
• Foundations.
• Irrigation systems.
• Drainage systems.
• Roads and walkways.

Work should be planned to avoid destabilizing adjacent structures or creating hazards.

Soil Conditions

Soil conditions can vary significantly throughout a cemetery.

Conditions may be affected by:

• Previous excavation.
• Backfill.
• Rain.
• Irrigation.
• Groundwater.
• Soil composition.
• Adjacent graves.
• Heavy equipment.

Soil and excavation conditions should be evaluated as required before employees enter.

Protective Systems

Where required, employees exposed to cave-in hazards should be protected by an appropriate protective system.

Depending on conditions, protective methods may include:

• Sloping.
• Benching.
• Shoring.
• Shielding.

The protective system should be appropriate to the excavation and soil conditions.

Excavation Inspections

Excavations should be inspected by a competent person as required.

Inspections may be necessary:

• Before employees enter.
• Before each shift.
• After rain.
• After other hazard-increasing events.
• When conditions change.

Employees should leave the excavation when hazardous conditions are identified.

Safe Access and Egress

Where employees enter graves or other excavations, safe access and egress should be provided as required.

Employees should not climb on:

• Shoring.
• Excavation walls.
• Equipment.
• Improvised structures

to enter or exit an excavation.

Open Grave Protection

Open graves present significant fall hazards to employees, funeral attendees, contractors, and members of the public.

Open graves should be clearly identified and protected.

Controls may include:

• Barricades.
• Guarding.
• Appropriate covers.
• Restricted access.
• Warning devices.

Protection should remain in place when graves are unattended.

Public Protection Around Open Graves

Cemeteries differ from many excavation sites because members of the public may be present near active work areas.

Controls should consider:

• Funeral attendees.
• Children.
• Elderly visitors.
• Maintenance contractors.
• Vehicles.
• Pedestrians.

Open excavations should not be left accessible to visitors.

Spoil Piles

Excavated soil and other materials should be positioned so they do not fall or roll into the excavation.

Spoil placement should also consider:

• Excavation stability.
• Employee access.
• Equipment movement.
• Public access.

Materials should not create additional collapse or struck-by hazards.

Falling Objects

Employees in graves or excavations should be protected from objects that could fall into the excavation.

Potential falling objects include:

• Soil.
• Tools.
• Equipment.
• Rocks.
• Monument components.
• Materials.

Employees should not work beneath suspended loads.

Water Accumulation

Water can reduce excavation stability and create additional hazards.

Sources may include:

• Rain.
• Irrigation.
• Groundwater.
• Broken water lines.
• Drainage.

Excavations affected by water should be evaluated before employees enter or remain inside.

Hazardous Atmospheres

Certain excavation conditions may require evaluation for hazardous atmospheres.

Potential hazards may include:

• Oxygen deficiency.
• Toxic gases.
• Fuel vapors.
• Exhaust from gasoline-powered equipment.

Atmospheric hazards should be evaluated where conditions indicate they may reasonably exist.

Adjacent Monuments

Excavation near monuments can affect their stability.

Before digging, employees should evaluate nearby:

• Headstones.
• Monuments.
• Masonry.
• Foundations.
• Vaults.
• Structures.

Unstable monuments should be controlled before employees work in areas where collapse could cause injury.

Backhoes and Excavators

Backhoes and excavators are commonly used for grave digging and cemetery maintenance.

Only trained and authorized employees should operate equipment.

Operators should inspect equipment and maintain awareness of:

• Employees.
• Visitors.
• Monuments.
• Underground utilities.
• Overhead utilities.
• Excavation edges.
• Other vehicles.

Equipment Inspections

Mobile equipment should be inspected before use according to applicable requirements and manufacturer recommendations.

Potential inspection items include:

• Brakes.
• Steering.
• Tires or tracks.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Controls.
• Lights.
• Alarms.
• Attachments.
• Safety devices.

Unsafe equipment should be removed from service until corrected.

Swing Radius

Employees should remain outside the swing radius of excavators and backhoes.

Where employees could enter the swing area, appropriate controls should be established.

Operators should maintain awareness of personnel near the equipment.

Equipment Near Excavation Edges

Heavy equipment can affect excavation stability.

Equipment should be positioned to prevent:

• Collapse.
• Equipment rollover.
• Material falling into the grave.
• Employees being trapped.

The competent person should consider equipment loads when evaluating excavation conditions.

Backing

Backing incidents can occur in cemeteries because equipment may operate in confined areas with limited visibility.

Controls may include:

• Mirrors.
• Cameras.
• Alarms.
• Spotters.
• Restricted pedestrian areas.

Employees should never stand between backing equipment and a monument, building, vehicle, or other fixed object.

Burial Vault Safety

Concrete burial vaults can be extremely heavy.

Vault handling should be performed using equipment designed and rated for the load.

Procedures should address:

• Equipment inspection.
• Load capacity.
• Rigging.
• Employee positioning.
• Excavation edges.
• Suspended loads.
• Communication.

Employees should remain clear of loads being lowered.

Burial Vault Placement

Before placement begins, employees should confirm:

• Equipment is properly positioned.
• The grave is ready.
• Rigging is secure.
• Employees are clear.
• The travel path is controlled.

No employee should position themselves beneath a suspended burial vault.

Casket-Lowering Equipment

Lowering devices should be:

• Appropriate for the intended load.
• Inspected.
• Properly set up.
• Maintained.

Employees should understand how to safely install, operate, and remove the equipment.

Graveside Setup

Employees may set up:

• Chairs.
• Tents.
• Canopies.
• Artificial turf.
• Lowering devices.
• Platforms.
• Flowers.
• Other service equipment.

Setup procedures should consider:

• Open graves.
• Uneven terrain.
• Manual lifting.
• Wind.
• Public access.
• Equipment stability.

Tents and Canopies

Tents and canopies should be properly installed and secured.

Wind conditions should be monitored.

Employees should not remain beneath temporary structures that have become unstable.

Funeral-Service Safety

Before funeral attendees arrive, employees should inspect the service area for:

• Open-grave hazards.
• Uneven surfaces.
• Trip hazards.
• Unstable chairs.
• Equipment.
• Vehicle hazards.
• Weather-related conditions.

Public access should be directed away from active equipment and other hazardous areas.

Monument and Headstone Safety

Monuments and headstones can weigh hundreds or thousands of pounds.

Hazards include:

• Tipping.
• Crushing.
• Pinch points.
• Rigging failure.
• Manual handling.
• Unstable foundations.

Employees should not attempt to manually control monuments beyond safe handling capability.

Unstable Monuments

Cemeteries should periodically identify monuments that are:

• Leaning.
• Loose.
• Cracked.
• Broken.
• Poorly supported.
• Otherwise unstable.

Hazardous monuments should be isolated or stabilized until appropriate corrective work can be performed.

Monument Inspections

Monument condition should be considered when employees perform:

• Excavation.
• Mowing.
• Landscaping.
• Maintenance.
• Restoration.

Work should not proceed adjacent to a monument that could fall onto an employee unless the hazard has been controlled.

Monument Handling

Mechanical assistance should be used where appropriate to move heavy monuments.

Potential equipment may include:

• Hoists.
• Cranes.
• Specialized monument equipment.
• Dollies.
• Lifting devices.

Equipment should be rated for the load.

Rigging

Rigging used for monuments, vaults, or other cemetery loads should be:

• Appropriate for the load.
• Inspected.
• Properly configured.
• Protected from damage.

Damaged slings, chains, hooks, or other rigging should be removed from service.

Suspended Loads

Employees should not stand or work beneath suspended:

• Monuments.
• Vaults.
• Equipment.
• Other materials.

Work areas should be controlled during lifting operations.

Monument Foundations

Work involving construction or modification of monument foundations may constitute construction activity.

Employees performing this work should follow applicable requirements for:

• Concrete.
• Excavation.
• Tools.
• Equipment.
• Material handling.

Mausoleum Operations — When Applicable

Cemeteries with mausoleums may require additional procedures for:

• Elevated work.
• Crypt access.
• Ladders.
• Lifts.
• Casket handling.
• Material handling.
• Building maintenance.

Equipment should be appropriate for the height and load involved.

Crypt Handling — When Applicable

Crypt operations may require specialized lifting and access equipment.

Employees should remain clear of:

• Suspended loads.
• Crush points.
• Elevated openings.
• Moving equipment.

Crematory Operations — When Applicable

Some cemetery organizations also operate crematories.

Where cremation is performed, the safety manual may require additional procedures for:

• Cremation equipment.
• Heat.
• Fuel systems.
• Mechanical equipment.
• Hazardous energy.
• Loading and handling.
• Maintenance.

Crematory programs should be included only when applicable.

Groundskeeping

Cemetery groundskeeping may involve:

• Mowing.
• Trimming.
• Edging.
• Irrigation.
• Fertilizing.
• Pesticide application.
• Tree maintenance.
• Leaf and debris removal.

Employees should receive training appropriate to the equipment and materials they use.

Mower Safety

Employees operating mowers should inspect equipment before use.

Potential hazards include:

• Blades.
• Thrown objects.
• Rollovers.
• Slopes.
• Visitors.
• Monuments.
• Uneven terrain.

Employees should follow manufacturer operating procedures.

Riding Mowers

Riding mowers should be operated at safe speeds appropriate to:

• Terrain.
• Slopes.
• Visibility.
• Pedestrians.
• Monuments.

Employees should avoid slopes beyond equipment capabilities.

Push Mowers

Before mowing, employees should inspect the area for:

• Stones.
• Metal.
• Decorations.
• Branches.
• Other objects

that could be thrown by mower blades.

String Trimmers

String trimmers and brush cutters can throw debris at high velocity.

Operators should use appropriate:

• Eye protection.
• Face protection where necessary.
• Hearing protection.
• Footwear.
• Leg protection as appropriate.

Bystanders should remain clear.

Chainsaws

Employees using chainsaws should receive appropriate training.

Procedures should address:

• Inspection.
• Starting.
• Cutting.
• Kickback.
• PPE.
• Fueling.
• Tree conditions.

Damaged chainsaws should not be used.

Tree Trimming

Tree work may expose employees to:

• Falling limbs.
• Chainsaws.
• Heights.
• Aerial lifts.
• Power lines.
• Rigging.

Specialized tree work should be performed only by employees or contractors qualified for the work.

Hazardous Trees

Dead, damaged, diseased, or storm-affected trees may present hazards to:

• Employees.
• Visitors.
• Vehicles.
• Monuments.

Cemeteries should identify and address hazardous trees and limbs.

Overhead Power Lines

Tree work, equipment operation, and maintenance may occur near overhead electrical lines.

Employees should maintain required clearances.

Only appropriately qualified personnel should perform work that creates electrical exposure.

Irrigation Systems

Irrigation maintenance may involve:

• Excavation.
• Electrical controls.
• Pumps.
• Chemicals.
• Uneven terrain.

Damaged irrigation components should be repaired so they do not create trip or flooding hazards.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Cemetery grounds may require pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or other landscaping chemicals.

Employees should:

• Follow product labels.
• Use required PPE.
• Understand chemical hazards.
• Follow application requirements.
• Store products safely.

Only appropriately trained or licensed personnel should perform applications where required.

Hazard Communication

The cemetery’s Hazard Communication Program should address hazardous workplace chemicals.

Potential chemicals may include:

• Pesticides.
• Herbicides.
• Fertilizers.
• Fuel.
• Lubricants.
• Cleaning products.
• Paint.
• Solvents.

Safety Data Sheets should be accessible to affected employees.

Fueling Equipment

Mowers, backhoes, utility vehicles, and other equipment may require gasoline or diesel fuel.

Fueling should be performed:

• With ignition sources controlled.
• Using appropriate containers and equipment.
• In areas suitable for fueling.
• With spill response materials available as appropriate.

Flammable Liquids

Gasoline and other flammable liquids should be stored and handled according to applicable requirements.

Containers should be:

• Appropriate.
• Properly labeled.
• Protected from ignition sources.

Hand & Power Tools

Cemetery maintenance may require:

• Shovels.
• Picks.
• Drills.
• Grinders.
• Saws.
• Impact tools.
• Other equipment.

Tools should be inspected and maintained.

Employees should use the correct tool for the task.

Manual Material Handling

Cemetery employees may manually handle:

• Chairs.
• Tents.
• Flowers.
• Sod.
• Tools.
• Casket-lowering equipment.
• Monument materials.
• Landscaping supplies.

Mechanical assistance or team lifting should be used when appropriate.

Ergonomics

Repeated lifting, bending, digging, pushing, pulling, and equipment handling can contribute to musculoskeletal injuries.

Controls may include:

• Mechanical lifting.
• Team lifting.
• Appropriate tools.
• Work positioning.
• Task rotation.

Utility Vehicles

Cemeteries may use carts, utility vehicles, tractors, or similar equipment.

Operators should:

• Be trained.
• Follow designated routes.
• Control speed.
• Account for pedestrians.
• Secure loads.

Passengers should ride only in designated seating positions.

Cemetery Vehicle Traffic

Cemetery roads may be shared by:

• Employees.
• Funeral processions.
• Visitors.
• Contractors.
• Delivery vehicles.
• Maintenance equipment.

Traffic procedures should account for the unusual mixture of pedestrians and vehicles.

Funeral Processions

Employees should avoid unnecessary equipment movement through active funeral processions.

Where equipment must operate nearby, communication and traffic controls should be established.

Pedestrian Safety

Visitors may be distracted, elderly, unfamiliar with the property, or focused on a funeral service.

Employees operating vehicles or equipment should anticipate unpredictable pedestrian movement.

Parking Areas

Parking areas should be maintained to reduce:

• Trip hazards.
• Vehicle conflicts.
• Blocked emergency access.
• Unsafe pedestrian routes.

Walking-Working Surfaces

Cemetery terrain can be inherently uneven.

Potential hazards include:

• Sunken graves.
• Holes.
• Irrigation components.
• Roots.
• Broken pavement.
• Mud.
• Ice.
• Decorations.
• Uneven headstones.

Hazards should be corrected or marked where practical.

Sunken Graves

Ground settlement can create depressions and unstable surfaces.

Affected areas should be:

• Identified.
• Marked where necessary.
• Repaired.

Employees should remain alert for settlement around recent and older graves.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Cemetery employees and visitors may encounter:

• Wet grass.
• Mud.
• Ice.
• Uneven ground.
• Decorations.
• Tools.
• Hoses.
• Open graves.

Housekeeping and grounds inspections should address these hazards.

Snow and Ice

Where applicable, winter maintenance should address:

• Roads.
• Walkways.
• Steps.
• Service areas.
• Employee work areas.

Snow-removal equipment should be safely operated around monuments and pedestrians.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the hazards of assigned work.

Depending on the task, PPE may include:

• Safety glasses.
• Goggles.
• Face shields.
• Hard hats.
• Gloves.
• Protective footwear.
• Hearing protection.
• High-visibility clothing.
• Chainsaw PPE.
• Respiratory protection.

PPE should not substitute for feasible engineering or work-practice controls.

Head Protection

Hard hats may be required where employees are exposed to falling-object or overhead hazards.

Potential activities include:

• Excavation.
• Tree work.
• Lifting operations.
• Monument handling.

Protective Footwear

Protective footwear may be appropriate for employees exposed to:

• Heavy equipment.
• Monuments.
• Vaults.
• Tools.
• Uneven terrain.
• Puncture hazards.

Footwear should also provide suitable traction for outdoor conditions.

Eye and Face Protection

Eye protection may be required during:

• Mowing.
• Trimming.
• Grinding.
• Drilling.
• Chemical application.
• Monument work.

Face protection should be added where the hazard requires it.

Hearing Conservation

Noise may result from:

• Mowers.
• Trimmers.
• Chainsaws.
• Backhoes.
• Excavators.
• Grinders.
• Other powered equipment.

Employee noise exposure should be evaluated.

Where applicable exposure levels are reached, a Hearing Conservation Program should be implemented.

Respiratory Protection — When Applicable

Respiratory hazards may result from:

• Dust.
• Chemicals.
• Pesticides.
• Mold.
• Monument work.
• Maintenance activities.

Where respirator use is required, an appropriate Respiratory Protection Program should be maintained.

Heat Stress Prevention

Cemetery employees often work outdoors during hot weather.

Heat-illness prevention should consider:

• Acclimatization.
• Drinking water.
• Shade.
• Rest.
• Workload.
• Weather.
• Employee monitoring.

Employees should understand symptoms of heat illness.

Cold Stress

Year-round cemetery operations may expose employees to:

• Cold.
• Wind.
• Rain.
• Snow.
• Ice.

Employees should use appropriate clothing and have opportunities to warm when necessary.

Severe Weather

Cemetery operations may be affected by:

• Lightning.
• High winds.
• Heavy rain.
• Flooding.
• Snow.
• Extreme temperatures.

Outdoor work should be modified or suspended when weather creates unacceptable risk.

Lightning

Employees should seek appropriate shelter when lightning threatens outdoor operations.

Employees should not shelter beneath isolated trees.

High Winds

High winds can affect:

• Tents.
• Canopies.
• Trees.
• Branches.
• Lifting operations.
• Monument work.

Funeral-service equipment should be secured or removed when conditions become unsafe.

Wildlife, Insects and Plants

Cemetery employees may encounter:

• Snakes.
• Wasps.
• Bees.
• Ticks.
• Spiders.
• Rodents.
• Poisonous plants.

Employees should receive information appropriate to local hazards.

Lone Work

Cemetery employees may perform work in isolated areas of large properties.

Lone-work procedures may address:

• Communication.
• Check-in procedures.
• Emergency contacts.
• High-risk tasks.

Employees should not work alone where the task requires additional personnel for safe performance or emergency response.

Working Around the Public

Cemetery employees frequently perform occupational work in areas accessible to visitors.

Work areas should be controlled when activities involve:

• Excavations.
• Heavy equipment.
• Tree work.
• Lifting.
• Chemical application.
• Mowing.
• Power tools.

Visitors should be kept outside hazardous work zones.

Barricades and Signage

Barricades, signs, cones, fencing, or other controls may be appropriate around:

• Open graves.
• Equipment operations.
• Tree work.
• Chemical applications.
• Damaged monuments.
• Maintenance activities.

Controls should be maintained until the hazard has been removed.

Workplace Security

Cemetery employees may work:

• Alone.
• Early in the morning.
• After normal business hours.
• In remote areas.
• Around members of the public.

Security procedures should address reporting suspicious activity and obtaining assistance.

Vandalism and Damaged Monuments

Vandalism can create unstable monuments, broken glass, sharp materials, and other hazards.

Employees should assess damaged areas before beginning cleanup or restoration.

Unstable monuments should be controlled before employees work nearby.

Contractors

Cemeteries may use contractors for:

• Tree work.
• Monument installation.
• Excavation.
• Vault services.
• Irrigation.
• Electrical work.
• Construction.
• Paving.

Relevant hazards and responsibilities should be coordinated between employers.

Monument Contractors

Cemetery personnel and monument contractors should coordinate:

• Vehicle access.
• Lifting.
• Excavation.
• Foundation work.
• Public protection.
• Existing monument hazards.

Contractor work should not expose cemetery employees or visitors to uncontrolled hazards.

Vault Companies

Where an outside company delivers and installs burial vaults, the cemetery and vault company should coordinate:

• Grave access.
• Equipment positioning.
• Lifting areas.
• Employee locations.
• Public access.
• Timing.

Employees should understand which employer controls each portion of the operation.

Emergency Action Plan

Emergency procedures should address foreseeable cemetery emergencies.

Potential scenarios include:

• Excavation collapse.
• Equipment injury.
• Monument collapse.
• Severe weather.
• Fire.
• Medical emergency.
• Vehicle incident.
• Chemical exposure.

Employees should understand how to summon emergency assistance.

Excavation Rescue

An employee should not enter a collapsed or unstable excavation to attempt an uncontrolled rescue.

Emergency services should be summoned immediately.

Rescue actions should not expose additional employees to cave-in hazards.

First Aid

First-aid resources should reflect cemetery operations and emergency-response time.

Potential injuries include:

• Crushing.
• Lacerations.
• Falls.
• Heat illness.
• Chemical exposure.
• Equipment injuries.
• Insect stings.

Employees should know how to obtain emergency medical assistance.

Emergency Access

Cemetery roads and work areas should be maintained so emergency vehicles can reach employees and visitors where practical.

Equipment, funeral processions, and parked vehicles should not unnecessarily obstruct emergency access.

Fire Prevention

Fire hazards may involve:

• Fuel.
• Equipment.
• Maintenance shops.
• Hot Work.
• Dry vegetation.
• Electrical systems.

Appropriate fire-prevention procedures and equipment should be maintained.

Hot Work — When Applicable

Welding, cutting, brazing, or grinding may occur during equipment or facility maintenance.

Hot Work procedures should address:

• Combustible vegetation.
• Fuel.
• Buildings.
• Equipment.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Fire watch where required.

Equipment Maintenance

Maintenance should be performed according to manufacturer recommendations and established procedures.

Equipment may include:

• Backhoes.
• Excavators.
• Mowers.
• Tractors.
• Utility vehicles.
• Lowering devices.
• Lifting equipment.
• Power tools.

Defects affecting safe operation should be corrected.

Lockout/Tagout — When Applicable

Where servicing or maintenance exposes employees to unexpected startup or hazardous-energy release, applicable Lockout/Tagout procedures should be followed.

Potential equipment may include:

• Mowers.
• Shop machinery.
• Pumps.
• Powered equipment.
• Maintenance equipment.

Employees should control stored energy before beginning covered work.

Housekeeping

Maintenance shops, storage areas, and work locations should be kept orderly.

Employees should control:

• Tools.
• Fuel.
• Chemicals.
• Hoses.
• Cords.
• Scrap.
• Waste.

Emergency equipment and exits should remain accessible.

Incident Reporting

Employees should promptly report:

• Injuries.
• Near misses.
• Excavation incidents.
• Equipment incidents.
• Monument movement.
• Vehicle incidents.
• Chemical exposures.
• Unsafe conditions.

Prompt reporting helps identify hazards before another employee or visitor is injured.

Incident Investigation

Significant incidents should be investigated to identify:

• Immediate causes.
• Contributing factors.
• Root causes.
• Corrective actions.

Investigations may consider:

• Work planning.
• Excavation controls.
• Equipment.
• Monument stability.
• Training.
• Procedures.
• Public protection.
• Supervision.

Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis may identify underlying factors involving:

• Procedures.
• Training.
• Equipment selection.
• Maintenance.
• Work planning.
• Supervision.
• Hazard assessment.
• Contractor coordination.
• Corrective-action systems.

Corrective actions should address identified causes rather than simply assigning blame.

Cemetery Safety Inspections

Periodic cemetery safety inspections should evaluate applicable:

• Open graves.
• Excavation areas.
• Monuments.
• Roads.
• Walkways.
• Trees.
• Equipment.
• Maintenance shops.
• Chemical storage.
• PPE.
• Public areas.

Hazards presenting immediate danger should be controlled promptly.

Cemetery Safety Training

Employee training should reflect assigned duties.

Depending on responsibilities, training may address:

• Grave excavation.
• Excavation competent-person duties.
• Backhoes and excavators.
• Monument handling.
• Rigging.
• Grounds equipment.
• Chainsaws.
• Pesticides.
• PPE.
• Hazard Communication.
• Emergency procedures.

Employees should not operate specialized equipment until they have received appropriate training.

New Employee Orientation

New cemetery employees should receive safety orientation before independently performing assigned work.

Orientation may address:

• Cemetery hazards.
• Open graves.
• Equipment.
• Public safety.
• PPE.
• Emergency procedures.
• Hazard reporting.

Equipment-Specific Training

Employees should receive appropriate instruction for equipment they are authorized to operate.

Training may address:

• Controls.
• Inspection.
• Operating limitations.
• Pedestrians.
• Stability.
• Maintenance.
• Emergency procedures.

Refresher Training

Additional training may be appropriate following:

• Equipment incidents.
• Unsafe operation.
• Procedure changes.
• New equipment.
• New hazards.
• Near misses.
• Identified knowledge gaps.

Safety Meetings

Periodic safety meetings may reinforce topics such as:

• Grave excavation.
• Open-grave protection.
• Backhoe safety.
• Monument handling.
• Mowing.
• Heat stress.
• Public safety.
• Recent incidents.

Recordkeeping

Cemetery employers should maintain applicable safety and health records.

Records may include:

• Employee training.
• Injury and illness records.
• Equipment inspections.
• Excavation inspections.
• PPE assessments.
• Chemical records.
• Incident investigations.
• Corrective actions.

Records should be retained according to applicable requirements.

Additional Safety Programs

Depending on cemetery operations and employee exposures, additional programs may be necessary for:

• Cemetery Safety.
• Grave Excavation Safety.
• Excavation & Trenching.
• Excavation Competent Person.
• Underground Utilities.
• Open-Grave Safety.
• Burial Vault Safety.
• Casket-Lowering Equipment.
• Monument & Headstone Safety.
• Rigging & Material Handling.
• Backhoe Safety.
• Excavator Safety.
• Mobile Equipment.
• Groundskeeping Safety.
• Mower Safety.
• Chainsaw Safety.
• Tree Work.
• Pesticide Safety.
• Hazard Communication.
• Hand & Power Tools.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Manual Lifting.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Slips, Trips & Falls.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• Cold Stress.
• Severe Weather.
• Working Around the Public.
• Barriers & Signage.
• Workplace Security.
• Contractor Safety.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• First Aid.
• Fire Prevention.
• Hot Work.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Incident Reporting & Investigation.
• Root Cause Analysis.

Programs should be included when the cemetery’s work and employee exposures make them applicable.

Building a Cemetery Safety Manual

A useful Cemetery Safety Manual should reflect the services and work actually performed by the cemetery.

A full-service cemetery performing its own grave excavation may require extensive procedures for excavation, competent-person inspections, underground utilities, backhoes, open-grave protection, burial-vault handling, lowering devices, equipment maintenance, and public protection.

A cemetery that contracts out grave excavation and vault placement may have less direct excavation exposure but still require procedures for contractor coordination, graveside setup, open-grave protection, monument hazards, grounds maintenance, equipment, and visitor safety.

A large memorial park may require extensive programs for mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, irrigation systems, tree work, pesticides, traffic, heat exposure, maintenance shops, and interaction with the public.

A historic cemetery may require greater emphasis on unstable monuments, uneven terrain, tree hazards, monument preservation, manual material handling, wildlife, and work around fragile structures.

A cemetery with mausoleums or other above-ground interment facilities may require additional procedures for elevated work, lifts, crypt handling, material handling, and building maintenance.

The safety manual should therefore be based on actual cemetery operations rather than automatically assigning every cemetery-related program to every employer.

Customized Cemetery Safety Manuals

A Cemetery Safety Manual can be developed around the cemetery’s grave excavation, burial operations, vault placement, monument handling, groundskeeping, equipment, landscaping, maintenance, employees, contractors, and public-service activities.

The finished manual may incorporate applicable programs for Excavation & Trenching, Open-Grave Safety, Backhoe and Excavator Safety, Monument Handling, Rigging & Material Handling, Groundskeeping, Pesticides, Hand & Power Tools, PPE, Heat Stress, Emergency Planning, Contractor Safety, Incident Investigation, and other hazards associated with cemetery operations.

This provides municipal cemeteries, private cemeteries, memorial parks, religious cemeteries, historic cemeteries, and other burial grounds with a practical safety manual organized around the work their employees actually perform.