An observational assessment of the health and safety of cemetery workers and the potential risk of the general public

Abstract

Over the centuries mankind has accepted that times continue to change but no matter how hard one looks at it, human life comes to an end and death remains inevitable. Different environments and their inherent risks, different cultures, religions and practice, a choice in lifestyle and different levels of scientific knowledge and technological advance contribute positively or negatively to human life, shortening or lengthening its span to a currently unavoidable end. This end is treated with reverence and deep respect and although burial methods have changed to some extent, nonetheless, those who work in close proximity to the dead and the general public are still potentially exposed to the risk of infectious disease, physical injury and other conditions. This observational assessment of one of Malta's larger cemeteries attempts to describe the few references found in the literature on occupational health and safety of workers in cemeteries and the many and various risks to which both cemetery workers and the general public are exposed. It explains the risk of transmission and infection to cemetery works, the day to day practices in cemetery employment, the risk of manual handling procedures including those of embalmed and non-embalmed cadavers, and the public health issues associated with the cleaning of graves and removal of coffins with zinc body containers. Various studies have been made by the Public Health Department of Malta but no articles could be identified that discuss the transmission of infectious diseases to cemetery workers or the general public. The potential risks identified as a result of this observational assessment offers practical preventive solutions and a recommendation to carry out a more in-depth study of conditions in cemeteries that would make these solemn areas of burial safer to those who spend a considerable part of their working life together with those who bury and continue to visit their dead in cemeteries from time to time. Longevity has increased from 45 in the late 19th century to 75 in the 20th century as a result of public health measures and the advent of antibiotics. However, prevention still remains of primary importance.