MEMORIAL safety tests are to be undertaken by in the town cemetery and the closed churchyard of St Mary’s Church by Ross-on-Wye Town Council.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Ross Town Council has a responsibility to ensure that risks within their cemeteries are properly managed.

Over the period of three days between August 21 and 23, each headstone will be tested to make sure it is not at risk of falling over and injuring someone.

A specially trained member of staff will start by doing a visual inspection of the memorial, followed by a hand test.

This will involve pressure being applied to the memorial to check for movement. In most cases there will be no movement and a record will be kept that the memorial has passed. If the memorial moves it will fail the test.

If the memorial fails the hand test it will be highlighted with caution tape. A member of staff will contact the registered owner of the grave as a matter of urgency to inform them that it needs repairing.

If there is no registered owner the town council will take measures to make the memorial safe.