Memorial Inspection THE PROCEDURE IN CEMETERIES
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Contents
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Memorial Safety Inspection
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Ownership of memorials remains with the family of the deceased
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Memorial Registration Scheme Memorial Masons Inspection Procedure
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Process for assessing monument safety at our cemeteries
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The Memorial Safety Team
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Temporary Measures
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Frequency of Inspections
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Memorial Safety Inspection
The Procedures The new guidance issued from the Ministry of Justice 2009 sets out a risk-based approach to help authorities and other operators develop a proportionate approach to managing the risk associated with memorials. This guidance has been developed by a Sub-Group of the Burial and Cemeteries Advisory Group, which advises the Ministry of Justice on all aspects of burial law. The Sub-Group represented burial ground operators, Memorial Masons and Cemetery Managers as well as the Health and Safety Executive. The insurance industry and the Local Government Employers were also consulted. 4
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Burial ground operators should have systems in place to control the risks from memorials to their employees, contractors, friends’ groups, volunteers and members of the public. They owe a general duty of care to visitors and other members of the public. Responsibilities are also set out in various legislation covering burial grounds, e.g. the Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977. Where the operator is an employer or self-employed person they also have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and associated regulations such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. They owe a general duty of care to visitors and other members of the public. Responsibilities are also set out in various legislation covering burial grounds, e.g. the Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977. Where the operator is an employer or self-employed person they also have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and associated regulations such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
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Ownership of Memorials
Ownership of memorials remains with the family of the deceased Only when the memorial poses a significant risk, such as imminent collapse in a way that could lead to serious injury, does immediate action need to be taken to control the risk. If a memorial poses a serious risk then, in the interests of public safety, attempts will be made to contact the grave owner as soon as possible. Memorial risk assessments will be reviewed and updated if necessary.
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Memorial Registration Scheme Memorial Masons Only those persons who are on the Council’s list of approved Monumental Masons, and who provide annually evidence of Public Liability Insurance cover in the sum of not less that FIVE MILLION POUNDS, to indemnify Bassetlaw District Council against any claims arising from any acts or omissions, will be allowed to carry out any form of monumental work in the Council’s Cemeteries. Before erection of any monumental or other work, a drawing thereof, on the appropriate form provided for the purpose will be submitted to the Cemeteries Officer, together with the fees, no monument may be erected or inscription made unless approved by the Cemeteries Officer. The whole of the materials used in the construction of any memorial shall be of the best natural stone or other quarried material and must be approved by the Council’s Cemeteries Officer. No artificial, synthetic, wooden or metal structures will be permitted. All memorials fitted after April 2004 must comply with NAMM fixings/Code of Practice
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Inspection Procedure Memorial safety inspections will be carried out by two operatives working as a team. Only staff trained to the NAMM Inspection & Safety Assessment of Memorials in Burial Ground with Guidance of The Ministry of Justice 2009 will carry out safety inspections on Headstones or Memorials. Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) must be worn at all times. All memorial inspections will be recorded on the inspection form firstly receive a visual check to identify if there is obvious danger and shall also indicate the safest approach to carry out the physical hand test. The hand test. If the memorial moves with a constant hand pressure and will continue to fall, which could lead to an injury, then the memorial will be recorded as un-safe Operatives must always be aware of Headstones/Memorials that are made-up of more than one section or blocks. Operatives must always examine the top section first and work down the memorial, this will avoid such elements of the memorial falling and potentially causing injury during any inspection
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Contents Process for assessing monument at our cemeteries safety 4 | Kerbside Recycling
Start 5 Does | the Home Composting monument have obvious signs of defect e.g., sloping
MOTs Action
Record findings -
| Tree Works Assessment complete Cemeteries
Yes
Carry out a stability check Is the monument considered to present a significant health and safety risk? * See Guidance Notes
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Textile Recycling
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Dog Fouling *Guidance Notes
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No further action
No
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No
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Bulky Item Collections
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significantly, undermined/subsided, structural damage
Yes
Action If they can be done without personal risk - lay the monument down 11 | Community Litter Picks Record findings Make arrangements for the most appropriate remedial measures to 12 | Commercial Waste Collections be carried out in line with guidance IS THERE AN INCREASED RISK TO THE MONUMENT’S STABILITY DUE TO ITS LOCATION:
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Fly Tipping
Near roadways or paths including “known shortcuts” Near monuments with historical or local interest 15 In| an area Did you know showing evidence of anti-social behaviour / activities. On significantly sloping or uneven ground. Near to others showing obvious signs of frequent visits / activity by members of the public. DOES MONUMENT HAVE: Height/ Base Ratio > 3:1 Or Height > 18” (450mm) Or Unusual Structural Features Or Multi-Part Components Or Particularly Low Resistance To Erosion 01909533 533533 11 533 11 01909
The Memorial Safety Team will • Carry out a visual check on all memorials • Is there an increased risk to the monument’s stability due to its location: See flow chart. • The hand test will be used in accordance with the assessed level of risk. • Record of all visual and hand tests undertaken with detailed information on individual memorials tested. • Record of any significant risks to be dealt with, taking account of the numbers of people who may be exposed and the likelihood of the risk. • Record of any reasonable precautions taken to ensure the remaining risk is acceptable.
Some memorials in high risk areas may need specialist inspection and advice so appropriate procedures are in place to call on the Council’s Engineers in the first instance. Where a memorial is found to pose a significant risk then a means of making safe will be considered which is proportionate to the level of risk. In the majority of subsequent inspections a visual test will be sufficient, unless an individual memorial is considered to pose a more significant risk following the visual test. In such cases a full visual and hand test will be undertaken.
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Temporary Measures Warning Signs will be placed on or near any memorial found to be unstable The memorial could be cordoned off with hazard warning tape and / or barrier mesh The memorial could be set into the ground The memorial may be laid down, only if absolutely necessary Mechanical support to the memorial (metal or wooden support) would only be considered in rare circumstances where there is no reasonable alternative and is not undertaken on a routine basis. We also ensure that press releases to advise the public and the press of all inspection work and why it is necessary to undertake it in accordance with the Ministry of Justice 2009 Guidance. We will ensure Notices are displayed within the Cemetery grounds. These are to warn the public of the potential dangers of memorials, advise the public who to contact with any queries or concerns, We will need additional signs to advise of inspections taking place and where necessary fulfil any other obligations under existing health and safety legislation If a grave owner is unhappy about the authority’s decision to identify their memorial as being unstable a meeting can be arranged at the burial ground where they can witness a further inspection of the memorial.
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Frequency of Inspections Inspections of all levels of risk will be carried out on a minimum frequency of once every five years. Any memorials showing early signs of instability will, in the interests of public safety, be monitored every 12 months. Any memorials considered to be in such a condition where there is an immediate risk of them toppling and causing serious injury to members of the public will be immediately assessed and a decision taken on how the memorial will be made safe Due to the diverse nature and complexity of these memorials, a visual check of all joints and any other area of weakness will be carried out. The Memorial Safety Team will inspect the memorial to see if it is safe enough or warrant any further testing.
Should you require further information please contact The Cemeteries Office. Tel: 01909 533 487 Email: cemeteries@bassetlaw.gov.uk
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Contact us
01909 533 487
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cemeteries@bassetlaw.gov.uk
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The Cemeteries Office, Hundred Acre Lane, Worksop S81 0TS All offices are open: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
Updated Updated January 2015 January 2015
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