- Essential safety checks on the stability of grave memorials
- By law, checks must be carried out every 5 years
- Any memorials found to be unsafe are laid down and families contacted
Tamworth Borough Council are preparing for their routine memorial safety testing, a legal requirement that must be conducted every five years.
The essential safety testing on the memorials will start at Glascote cemetery in February, followed by the other cemeteries in the borough. The assessment involves a simple manual test carried out by specialists.
Should any memorial be deemed unsafe during the testing, it will be laid down to ensure safety, and the deed holder of the grave will be notified.
In accordance with legal requirements, memorials situated in both open and closed churchyards and cemeteries must undergo testing. These assessments, conducted by trained professionals, are required every five years. Any unstable or hazardous memorials are identified, laid down and in some cases, if necessary, cordoned off.
By following these safety inspections, we’ll work to make sure that remedial work does not cause unnecessary distress to bereaved families and others who value the great historical and environmental heritage of our cemeteries.
Councillor David Foster, portfolio holder for environmental, sustainability, recycling and waste, said: “In carrying out this work, our cemetery officers sensitively and with care, conduct a risk-based and sensible approach to managing the health and safety risks arising from memorials.
“By following the simple procedures for inspecting, assessing and where necessary making safe, we do what we can to minimise the risks to health and safety in a proportionate and sensitive way.”