Digging trenches in graveyards

[ringer]

Doing a risk assessment for a church job. I need to run SWA in a trench alongside a path that runs through a graveyard. All graves on the route are at least 100 years old. Should I take precautions against disease etc? I was wondering whether to use disposable gloves whilst handling the soil and chuck them after the job. And what about tetanus jabs - or is this taking the risk assessment too far?

 

[telectrix]

the bare bones of the job are that it's a one off, take it on merit and don't get buried in paperwork

 

[Lucas]

Don't you need permission from the Church of England too dig in graveyards?

Builder we know had too dig up a graveyard once for an extension too a church and it sounded horrendus. He was saying they had too rebury the bodies and one of the bodies wouldn't fit in the casket so they hit him with the digger and his head fell off! He also said about this bloke who got blown up in the war and lost his feet and they we're just stuck on top of him. scary stuff.

 

[ringer]

Don't you need permission from the Church of England too (sic) dig in graveyards?

The Church is commissioning me to do the work. I think they have the authority.

 

[Paul.M]

Don't spend too much time doing your dead test, their already dead. If you get all the skeletons to hold hands, you will get a better a much lower resistance to earth and the best readings you'll ever get.... The night before you do the work watch day of the living dead. Has this circuit got a dead man's switch? (sorry couldn't resist)

 

[telectrix]

Don't spend too much time doing your dead test, their already dead. If you get all the skeletons to hold hands, you will get a better a much lower resistance to earth and the best readings you'll ever get.... The night before you do the work watch day of the living dead. Has this circuit got a dead man's switch? (sorry couldn't resist)

PMSL. Spilt my beer!!!

 

[Paul.M]

PMSL. Spilt my beer!!!

Long as it was beer and not spirits

 

[nickblake]

Be carefull doing the insulation tests to you may well revive them ....stand clear

 

[Phil]

i have decided because of you lot that i want cremating don`t want no builder messing with my remains or any sparks giving me 1000v to see if i will revive

 

[SMB]

Ha! This seems a really good place to introduce myself.

Hello, my names Simon, I live in Lowestoft in Suffolk and have been reading the forum for a month or so now. I left school in 1985 and trained and worked as an electrician for 13 years, mostly house bashing (did a couple of years of marine and industrial stuff whilst training). Then I felt like a change, I went to university and studied......archaeology. I worked in archaeology for 10 years, and have worked in many graveyards due to church extensions etc.

It is probable you will come across bones in the first foot or two of soil dug, every time a new grave is excavated ancient bones are displaced. I expect you will have to liase with the vicar and give him your 'finds'. I wouldn't worry too much about disease, just wash your hands before picking your nose / eating your sarnies. Your biggest hassle will be the local observers.

Ive had enough of archaeology for the time being. Over the last 3 months ive done my 17th edition, Part P, a PAT course, me 2391 (awaiting results), and tommorow I start a Photovoltaic course. Then after xmas its out into the big blue yonder to try and get some employment.

Its great to see some humour on here, there seems to be a good bunch of people. Look forward to getting to 'know' some of you better in the future.

All the best and happy christmas,
Simon.

 

[rocker]

Welcome to the forum Simon. So have you ever tried meggering some Romans back to life? Did it work?

 

[Des 56]

Ha! This seems a really good place to introduce myself.

Hello, my names Simon, trained and worked as an electrician for 13 years,
I went to university and studied......archaeology. I worked in archaeology for 10 years,have worked in many graveyards
Ive had enough of archaeology for the time being. after xmas its out into the big blue yonder to try and get some employment
Simon.

We could say "You are back from the dead then"

 

[SMB]

Giggle....

I was told at recently college never to use the term 'meggering' ever again, which made me smile. Its actually 'insulation resistance testing' . I know you know this. Ive quite enjoyed me last few courses, might have just got through the 2391, find out in January. Im sure ill be coming up with some questions for you guys in the very near future.

Thanks for the welcome Rocker.

edit....Boom Boom Des, nice one. Good to 'meet' you.

 

[nickblake]

Always wanted to go digging for artifax cool just imagin all day up to your neck in mud freezing cold and find a piece of pottery ,but knowing my luck id find a Word war 2 bomb and it'll start ticking

 

[thekingiam]

I hate working the graveyard shift!

 

[Paul.M]

Just take Tony Robinson from time team incase you find something.