Funeral Home Safety Manual

Funeral Home Workplace Hazards

Funeral homes combine occupational hazards commonly associated with healthcare, chemical handling, material handling, transportation, and public-facing service businesses.

Potential hazards include:

• Blood and other potentially infectious materials
• Infectious diseases
• Embalming chemicals
• Formaldehyde
• Disinfectants and cleaning chemicals
• Needles and other sharps
• Handling human remains
• Heavy and awkward lifting
• Stretchers, cots, and transfer equipment
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Vehicle operation
• Preparation-room equipment
• Electrical equipment
• Crematory equipment when applicable
• Heat exposure
• Workplace violence and security concerns
• Emotional and physical stress

Employees should receive training appropriate to their assigned duties and potential exposures.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Employees who may reasonably anticipate occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials should be protected through the company’s Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Control procedures.

Protective measures may include:

• Universal Precautions
• Appropriate gloves
• Eye and face protection
• Protective clothing
• Safe sharps practices
• Handwashing
• Cleaning and decontamination
• Appropriate waste disposal
• Exposure reporting
• Post-exposure procedures

Employees should treat blood and other potentially infectious materials according to established exposure-control procedures regardless of whether an infectious condition is known.

Exposure Control Plan

Where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials exists, the company should maintain an Exposure Control Plan addressing applicable employee exposures and protective measures.

The plan should address:

• Exposure determination
• Engineering controls
• Work-practice controls
• PPE
• Housekeeping
• Sharps
• Regulated waste
• Hepatitis B vaccination
• Exposure incidents
• Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up
• Employee training
• Recordkeeping

The plan should be reviewed and updated as required.

Handling Human Remains

Employees should use appropriate precautions when receiving, moving, preparing, transporting, or otherwise handling human remains.

Employees should:

• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Cover cuts and damaged skin.
• Practice good hand hygiene.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with blood and body fluids.
• Use mechanical or team assistance for lifting when appropriate.
• Handle sharps carefully.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces and equipment.
• Report exposure incidents immediately.

Additional precautions may be necessary when information indicates the presence of particular infectious hazards.

Infectious Disease Exposure

Employees may encounter remains of individuals who had communicable diseases.

The funeral home should establish procedures for recognizing and controlling reasonably anticipated occupational exposures.

Depending on the hazard and activity, controls may include:

• Gloves
• Protective clothing
• Eye and face protection
• Respiratory protection
• Ventilation
• Hand hygiene
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Restricted access
• Specialized handling procedures

Employees should receive information necessary to perform their work safely without relying solely on assumptions regarding an individual’s medical history.

Respiratory Infectious Diseases

Some infectious diseases may be transmitted through the air or respiratory particles.

Where employee exposure is reasonably anticipated, the funeral home should evaluate appropriate controls such as:

• Ventilation
• Work practices
• Limiting unnecessary exposure
• Respiratory protection when required
• Employee training
• Cleaning and disinfection

Respirators should be used in accordance with the company’s Respiratory Protection Program when respiratory protection is required.

Embalming Room Safety

Preparation and embalming rooms may contain biological, chemical, sharps, electrical, and ergonomic hazards.

The preparation room should be maintained to support safe work practices, including:

• Appropriate ventilation
• Accessible handwashing
• Suitable work surfaces
• Appropriate chemical storage
• Adequate lighting
• Sharps disposal
• Waste containers
• Emergency equipment
• Clean and unobstructed walking surfaces
• Appropriate PPE

Access should be limited to authorized individuals when preparation activities are underway.

Formaldehyde Safety

Formaldehyde is a significant potential occupational exposure during embalming.

Exposure may occur through inhalation or skin and eye contact with formaldehyde-containing embalming fluids.

The funeral home should evaluate formaldehyde exposure and implement appropriate controls based on employee tasks and exposure conditions.

Controls may include:

• Local exhaust ventilation
• General ventilation
• Closed or controlled chemical handling
• Appropriate work practices
• Chemical-resistant gloves
• Eye and face protection
• Protective clothing
• Exposure monitoring when required
• Respiratory protection when required

Employees should receive appropriate information and training regarding formaldehyde hazards.

Embalming Chemicals

In addition to formaldehyde, funeral homes may use embalming fluids, cavity chemicals, disinfectants, solvents, cleaners, cosmetics, and other chemical products.

Employees should:

• Review container labels.
• Have access to Safety Data Sheets.
• Follow manufacturer instructions.
• Wear required PPE.
• Avoid unnecessary skin contact.
• Use chemicals only in adequately controlled areas.
• Store chemicals appropriately.
• Keep incompatible materials separated when necessary.
• Report leaks and spills.

Chemicals should not be mixed unless the combination is part of an established procedure and employees have been trained in its safe use.

Hazard Communication

Hazardous chemicals used by the funeral home should be addressed through the company’s Hazard Communication Program as applicable.

Employees should receive information and training concerning:

• Chemical hazards
• Labels
• Safety Data Sheets
• Protective measures
• PPE
• Storage
• Spill procedures
• Emergency response

Secondary containers should be appropriately identified when required.

Ventilation

Effective ventilation is particularly important in preparation and embalming areas.

Ventilation systems should be operated and maintained to control employee exposure to airborne contaminants.

Employees should:

• Use ventilation systems as intended.
• Avoid obstructing exhaust openings.
• Report ventilation failures.
• Avoid performing chemical-intensive procedures when required ventilation is not operating properly.
• Report unusual or persistent chemical odors.

Ventilation deficiencies should be evaluated promptly.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the hazards associated with each task.

Depending on employee duties, PPE may include:

• Disposable examination gloves
• Chemical-resistant gloves
• Protective gowns or aprons
• Eye protection
• Chemical splash goggles
• Face shields
• Protective footwear
• Respiratory protection

Employees should understand how to properly put on, remove, inspect, maintain, and dispose of applicable PPE.

Contaminated PPE should be handled in a manner that minimizes employee exposure.

Eye & Face Protection

Eye and face protection may be necessary when employees perform tasks that could generate:

• Blood or body-fluid splashes
• Chemical splashes
• Sprays
• Aerosols
• Flying particles

The type of protection should correspond to the anticipated exposure.

Emergency Eyewash & Flushing

Where employees may be exposed to corrosive materials capable of causing serious eye or body injury, suitable emergency flushing equipment should be available based on the hazard.

Employees should know:

• Where emergency equipment is located
• How to activate it
• How to begin flushing immediately
• How to obtain medical assistance
• How to report the exposure

Access to emergency equipment should remain unobstructed.

Sharps Safety

Employees may encounter needles, scalpels, suture needles, trocar components, broken glass, and other sharp objects.

Employees should:

• Use appropriate sharps containers.
• Avoid unnecessary handling of contaminated sharps.
• Never reach blindly into containers or areas where sharps may be present.
• Use appropriate tools and work practices.
• Report sharps injuries immediately.

Sharps containers should be located where they are readily accessible for the activities being performed.

Needlestick Prevention

Needlestick injuries should be treated as occupational exposure incidents when blood or other potentially infectious materials are involved.

Employees should immediately:

• Wash the affected area.
• Report the incident.
• Obtain appropriate medical evaluation.
• Follow established post-exposure procedures.

Needlestick and sharps incidents should be evaluated to determine whether work practices or other controls can be improved.

Cleaning & Decontamination

Preparation tables, instruments, stretchers, equipment, floors, and other potentially contaminated surfaces should be cleaned and decontaminated according to established procedures.

Employees should:

• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Use suitable disinfectants.
• Follow required contact times and product instructions.
• Avoid creating unnecessary splashes or aerosols.
• Handle contaminated materials carefully.
• Perform hand hygiene after removing gloves.

Reusable equipment should be cleaned and disinfected before reuse as appropriate.

Laundry & Contaminated Textiles

Contaminated linens and other textiles should be handled as little as practical.

Employees should:

• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Avoid shaking contaminated laundry.
• Place contaminated textiles in designated containers.
• Follow established laundering procedures.
• Maintain separation from clean materials.

Employees should perform hand hygiene after handling potentially contaminated materials.

Regulated & Medical Waste

Waste contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials should be handled and disposed of according to applicable procedures.

Waste-management practices may address:

• Sharps
• Blood-contaminated materials
• Disposable PPE
• Pathological waste
• Chemical waste
• Pharmaceutical waste
• General refuse

Employees should understand which materials require specialized handling and which may enter the general waste stream.

Chemical Waste

Unused embalming chemicals, chemical residues, contaminated absorbents, and other chemical waste should be evaluated for appropriate handling and disposal.

Employees should not dispose of chemicals into drains, ordinary trash, or other waste systems unless such disposal is permitted and consistent with established procedures.

Spill Response

Funeral homes should establish procedures for foreseeable spills involving:

• Blood
• Body fluids
• Embalming chemicals
• Formaldehyde-containing products
• Disinfectants
• Cleaning products
• Fuels or vehicle fluids

Employees should determine whether they have the training, PPE, and equipment necessary to safely address a spill.

Employees should not attempt to clean up a release beyond their training or available protection.

Manual Lifting & Material Handling

Handling human remains can involve substantial weight, awkward body positions, stairs, narrow hallways, uneven surfaces, and limited working space.

Employees should evaluate a lift before beginning.

Whenever practical:

• Use mechanical assistance.
• Use transfer devices.
• Use adjustable-height equipment.
• Obtain assistance from another employee.
• Coordinate team lifts.
• Clear the travel path.
• Avoid unnecessary twisting.
• Maintain control throughout the movement.

Employees should not attempt a lift that exceeds their ability to perform safely.

Stretchers, Cots & Transfer Equipment

Stretchers, cots, church trucks, transfer boards, lifts, and other handling equipment should be maintained in safe condition.

Before use, employees should inspect applicable equipment for:

• Wheels and casters
• Brakes
• Handles
• Frames
• Fasteners
• Locking mechanisms
• Straps
• Lifting mechanisms

Defective equipment should be removed from service or otherwise controlled until repaired.

Removal Operations

Removing remains from residences, healthcare facilities, accident scenes, or other locations can expose employees to unfamiliar and uncontrolled conditions.

Before beginning a removal, employees should consider:

• Access
• Stairs
• Narrow hallways
• Uneven surfaces
• Lighting
• Weather
• Weight and lifting requirements
• Pets
• Traffic
• Biological hazards
• Security concerns
• Need for additional personnel or equipment

Employees should not rush a removal when conditions make the planned method unsafe.

Stairs & Difficult Access

Moving remains on stairs presents significant manual-handling and fall hazards.

Employees should:

• Evaluate the route before moving the remains.
• Remove obstacles when practical.
• Use appropriate equipment.
• Coordinate movements.
• Maintain communication.
• Use sufficient personnel.
• Avoid sudden movements.

Alternative methods should be considered when the planned route cannot be used safely.

Slips, Trips & Falls

Funeral home employees may encounter wet preparation-room floors, cords, hoses, rugs, stairs, ramps, parking lots, snow, ice, and unfamiliar surfaces during removals.

Employees should:

• Keep walkways clear.
• Clean spills promptly.
• Maintain orderly work areas.
• Use handrails.
• Wear appropriate footwear.
• Report damaged walking surfaces.
• Use caution when carrying or moving equipment.

Vehicle Safety

Funeral homes may operate hearses, removal vehicles, vans, passenger vehicles, limousines, and other company vehicles.

Drivers should:

• Be appropriately authorized.
• Inspect vehicles as required.
• Wear seat belts.
• Follow traffic laws.
• Avoid distracted driving.
• Maintain safe following distances.
• Adjust driving for weather and traffic.
• Use additional caution while backing.

Vehicles should be maintained in safe operating condition.

Backing & Parking

Employees should minimize unnecessary backing whenever practical.

Before backing:

• Check the area.
• Use mirrors and cameras as available.
• Account for pedestrians and fixed objects.
• Back slowly.
• Use a spotter when conditions warrant.

Employees acting as spotters should remain visible to the driver and avoid standing directly behind the vehicle.

Funeral Processions

Employees participating in funeral processions should follow applicable traffic laws and company procedures.

Drivers should:

• Maintain safe spacing.
• Avoid excessive speed.
• Remain alert to surrounding traffic.
• Avoid assuming other motorists will recognize or yield to the procession.
• Follow established communication procedures.

Safety should take priority over maintaining procession continuity.

Parking Lots & Pedestrian Safety

Funeral services can create periods of increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

The funeral home should consider:

• Clearly defined parking areas
• Adequate lighting
• Safe pedestrian routes
• Accessible entrances
• Traffic flow
• Snow and ice removal
• Special events or large services

Employees directing traffic should remain visible and avoid standing in vehicle travel paths.

Crematory Safety

Funeral homes operating crematories should establish procedures specific to cremation equipment and related hazards.

Potential hazards may include:

• Extreme heat
• Hot surfaces
• Combustion equipment
• Fuel systems
• Electrical equipment
• Moving equipment
• Ash and dust
• Manual handling
• Maintenance activities

Only appropriately trained employees should operate cremation equipment.

Manufacturer instructions and established operating procedures should be followed.

Heat & Hot Surfaces

Cremation equipment and other heat-producing equipment may create burn and heat-stress hazards.

Employees should:

• Avoid contact with hot surfaces.
• Use appropriate tools and PPE.
• Observe required cooling periods.
• Maintain guards and barriers.
• Report damaged insulation or controls.

Hot materials should be handled only using established procedures.

Cremated Remains Processing

Processing cremated remains may expose employees to dust, noise, moving equipment, and sharp or metallic fragments.

Employees should:

• Follow equipment operating instructions.
• Keep guards installed.
• Avoid contact with moving equipment.
• Use appropriate PPE.
• Control dust where practical.
• Follow shutdown procedures before servicing equipment.

Machine Guarding

Powered equipment with moving components should be appropriately guarded.

Employees should not remove or bypass guards except as necessary under established maintenance procedures with applicable energy controls in place.

Damaged or missing guards should be reported promptly.

Lockout/Tagout

Employees servicing or maintaining equipment may be exposed to electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, or other hazardous energy.

Applicable energy-control procedures should be followed when unexpected startup or release of stored energy could cause injury.

Only appropriately trained and authorized employees should perform lockout/tagout.

Electrical Safety

Electrical equipment may be used in preparation rooms, offices, chapels, garages, crematories, and other work areas.

Employees should:

• Inspect equipment before use.
• Report damaged cords and plugs.
• Avoid unauthorized electrical repairs.
• Keep electrical panels accessible.
• Keep liquids away from unsuitable electrical equipment.
• Remove defective equipment from service as appropriate.

Hand & Power Tools

Employees performing maintenance, preparation, or facility work may use hand and power tools.

Tools should:

• Be appropriate for the task.
• Be inspected before use.
• Have required guards installed.
• Be maintained in safe condition.
• Be removed from service when defective.

Employees should wear appropriate PPE.

Housekeeping

Funeral home work areas should be maintained in a clean and orderly condition.

Employees should:

• Keep exits and walkways clear.
• Store equipment properly.
• Clean spills promptly.
• Control cords and hoses.
• Maintain preparation rooms.
• Keep chemical-storage areas orderly.
• Maintain access to emergency equipment.

Fire Prevention

Potential fire hazards may include:

• Crematory equipment
• Fuel-fired equipment
• Electrical systems
• Flammable products
• Chemical storage
• Vehicles
• Combustible decorations and furnishings

Employees should know emergency reporting and evacuation procedures.

Fire protection equipment should remain accessible.

Emergency Action Plan

Employees should know how to respond to foreseeable emergencies including:

• Fire
• Medical emergencies
• Chemical exposures
• Chemical spills
• Blood or body-fluid exposures
• Needlestick injuries
• Equipment emergencies
• Severe weather
• Workplace violence
• Utility failures

Emergency procedures should account for employees, visitors, families, and other occupants.

Workplace Violence Prevention

Funeral home employees routinely interact with members of the public during emotionally difficult circumstances.

Although most interactions are peaceful, employees should know how to respond to threatening, aggressive, or disruptive behavior.

Employees should:

• Remain calm.
• Avoid escalating confrontations.
• Maintain access to exits.
• Summon assistance when necessary.
• Report threats.
• Contact law enforcement when appropriate.
• Withdraw from situations presenting an immediate danger.

Funeral Home Security

Security procedures may address:

• Building access
• After-hours operations
• Cash handling
• Parking areas
• Exterior lighting
• Restricted preparation areas
• Employee access
• Visitor access
• Valuable property
• Controlled substances when present

Employees working alone or after normal business hours should follow established security procedures.

Working Alone

Employees may perform removals, facility work, or other duties alone or during late-night hours.

The funeral home should evaluate risks associated with lone work and establish communication or check-in procedures when appropriate.

Employees should have a reliable means of requesting assistance.

Working Around the Public

Funeral homes serve families, visitors, clergy, vendors, contractors, and other members of the public.

Employees should maintain work areas so occupational hazards do not unnecessarily expose visitors.

Preparation rooms, chemical-storage areas, equipment rooms, crematories, and other restricted areas should be secured from unauthorized access.

Ergonomics

Funeral home work can involve lifting, standing, reaching, bending, transferring remains, arranging equipment, and prolonged computer or administrative work.

Ergonomic improvements may include:

• Mechanical lifting equipment
• Adjustable work surfaces
• Improved transfer techniques
• Team lifting
• Appropriate carts
• Task rotation
• Proper workstation arrangement

Employees should report tasks that create recurring discomfort or excessive physical strain.

Heat & Cold Stress

Employees may perform removals, graveside services, processions, loading, and other work outdoors.

Appropriate precautions should be taken during temperature extremes.

Depending on conditions, measures may include:

• Water
• Rest opportunities
• Shade
• Warming areas
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Acclimatization
• Recognition of heat- or cold-related illness

Severe Weather

Funeral operations may continue during rain, snow, ice, high winds, extreme temperatures, or other adverse weather.

Employees should evaluate conditions before outdoor activities and vehicle travel.

Graveside services, removals, processions, and other activities should be modified when weather creates unacceptable hazards.

Incident Reporting

Employees should promptly report:

• Injuries
• Blood or body-fluid exposures
• Needlesticks
• Chemical exposures
• Formaldehyde incidents
• Vehicle accidents
• Lifting injuries
• Slips and falls
• Equipment incidents
• Threats or violence
• Near misses

Incidents should be evaluated to identify contributing factors and appropriate corrective actions.

Funeral Home Safety Training

Employee training should correspond to assigned responsibilities and exposures.

Training may include:

• Bloodborne pathogens
• Exposure-control procedures
• Infectious disease precautions
• Formaldehyde safety
• Hazard Communication
• Embalming chemical safety
• PPE
• Respiratory protection
• Sharps safety
• Cleaning and decontamination
• Medical and chemical waste
• Manual lifting
• Remains handling
• Stretcher and transfer equipment
• Vehicle safety
• Crematory safety
• Lockout/Tagout
• Electrical safety
• Fire prevention
• Emergency procedures
• Workplace violence prevention
• Security
• Incident reporting

Additional training should be provided when new equipment, chemicals, procedures, or hazards are introduced.

Customized Funeral Home Safety Manuals

Funeral homes vary in services, facilities, preparation-room operations, equipment, staffing, vehicles, and employee exposures. Some facilities perform embalming and cremation on-site, while others use outside facilities for certain services. Operations may also include removals, transportation, visitations, funeral services, graveside services, and other activities.

A customized Funeral Home Safety Manual can be developed around your embalming and preparation procedures, chemicals, formaldehyde exposure, biological hazards, removal operations, lifting equipment, vehicles, crematory operations when applicable, facility hazards, and employee exposures.