Burial Grounds, Cemeteries and Churchyards - Gravestones and Memorial testing and the Guidance

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. Operators should do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure that people are not exposed to risks to their health and safety. 

LALC  would draw your attention to the following guidance 

• ICCM https://www.iccm-uk.com/iccm/newsletter_memorialmanagement/

• .Ministry of Justice https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/burial-grounds-guidance-on-managing-unstable-gravestones

ICCM provide practical training courses usually hosted by a local council's cemetery / churchyard so practical advice and practice can be undertaken.  LALC will highlight these to member councils when we become aware of them. 

Some councils have taken the way they apply the guidance about their statutory responsibilities too far (risk assessing and some hand testing may be necessary but toppling the memorial is rarely necessary and if councils do they end up with bad press and usually paying out to put right their error)

• Blackburn Council apologises over controversial 'topple-testing' of gravestones | Lancashire Telegraph
  

• Haxby Town Council agrees to pay to fix toppled gravestones | York Press 

• Families upset as council lays hundreds of gravestones flat over 'health and safety' (aol.co.uk)