Golf cart safety
“Don’t Let A Golf Cart Accident ruin Your Game!”
Clip Art Courtesy of: GOLF CART SAFETY
Introduction
An injury to a golfer from a cart accident can damage your club financially and potentially affect the reputation of your club. The legal climate today necessitates that you take measures to avoid these accidents through effective risk control measures. This bulletin will outline practices to help reduce the risk of cart accidents. Golf carts provide a very useful function to golf clubs and its members. With the advancement of golf cart technology, golf cart risk management continues to evolve.
Golf Cart Safety Fundamentals
First , establish and post golf cart safety rules that must be followed by all operators. Cart manufacturers are the best source of this information.
Second , require a valid driver’s license for all golf cart operators. Possession of a driver’s license demonstrates at least basic vehicle operation skills and knowledge of driving safety rules.
Third , maintain the golf carts in proper working order. Failure to maintain golf carts will increase the likelihood of being found liable in a lawsuit and can increase the size of any awards.
Fourth , monitor golf cart operators and enforce the safety rules you have established. Do not permit cart operators to violate the safety rules you have established.
Fifth, Annually review and update (if necessary) your golf cart risk management procedures.
What History Tells Us
A recent poll of 180 orthopaedic surgeons throughout the country resulted in 120 responses. Of the 120 that responded, 111 indicated seeing patients with golf course injuries. The injuries seen by the surgeons were anything but minor. They included:
• 49 fractured shins • 10 broken thigh bones • 6 fractured spines • 8 pelvic fractures • 2 lacerated spleens • 1 lacerated liver • 1 subdural hematoma -- a potentially fatal bleeding into the head "There were four reported deaths from golf-cart accidents, with two more people ending up paraplegic and another quadriplegic, and two near-drownings -- requiring resuscitation -- from people who had fallen in water after golf-cart mishaps," Gruen says. "Golf is a relatively safe game, but the hazards can become fatal events." (Article from WebMD – May 18, 2001 http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1676.52962)
Examples of golf cart accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:
• A golf cart overturns, causing injury to the operator and / or passenger. • A golf cart crossing a public street is struck by a vehicle. • Mechanical failure causes the operator to lose control, striking an object. • A sudden turn ejects the passenger. • The operator loses control while on a cart path descending a steep hill. • A person comes into contact with battery acid while using the golf cart.
What You Can Do
The Checklists on the following pages will help you identify potential golf cart risks and help explain ways you can reduce the chance of an accident. If you have any questions, contact your Agent or Chubb Loss Control Department Representative.
GOLF CART SAFETY Checklist
Management Checklist Items
Valid driver’s license must be shown to the Pro Shop before a cart can be rented.
Written cart rental agreement must be signed by an operator of the cart, with original kept by the club and one copy to the golfer. The number of the cart is recorded on the agreement.
Rental agreement is reviewed by the club’s legal counsel at least annually.
Original of the cart rental agreement is kept on file for at least seven (7) years for the time period designated by the club’s legal counsel.
Pro Shop or Cart Worker reminds golf cart operators to follow safety rules displayed on the cart.
Score card reminds cart operators they are required to follow safety rules posted on cart. GOLF CART SAFETY Checklist (Cont)
Management Checklist Items (cont)
Golf carts periodically inspected to verify that cart safety rules, warning labels, and names of the controls are legible. If necessary, replacements are obtained from the cart manufacturer and installed.
Golf carts are inspected monthly by a mechanic, with written records of the cart number and any repairs made. Carts needing repair should be taken out of service until repairs can be made.
Golf carts are maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
Cart brakes and hill brake are functionally tested daily before rental.
When being returned, golf cart users are asked about any mechanical problems they encountered.
The Course Marshal enforces the cart safety rules.
Cart paths should be inspected regularly and should be kept smooth and level.
Course design and hazard areas have been reviewed with qualified professionals.
For steep banks that line a cart path, guide rails are installed.
GPS systems (if provided) should be checked frequently to insure they are functioning properly.
“Steep Incline - Full Stop Required” sign posted at the top of steeply inclined cart paths. Speed bumps and signs help to control cart speed on steep inclines.
Cart paths that cross active vehicle roads have a “Stop – Vehicle Traffic – Look Both Ways Before Crossing Carefully” sign on the cart path.
“Slow – Cart Crossing” signs are posted on active vehicular roads where cart paths cross the road. Striping paint is used to identify the cart path crossing point.
Bridges for golf carts are designed by licensed professional engineers and constructed in accordance with the engineer’s plans and specifications.
Bridges include tire curbs and guide rails.
The flood threat to the cart storage area has been examined. If necessary, an emergency contingency plan has been developed to quickly relocate the golf carts if flooding is possible. GOLF CART SAFETY Checklist (cont)
Gasoline Powered Carts
Gasoline for use in Gasoline powered carts should be stored in U.L. or F.M. approved safety containers. Containers should be checked periodically to insure they are in good operating condition. Plastic containers will burn and should not be used in lieu of metal safety containers.
Safety containers should be stored in U.L. or F.M. listed storage cabinets when not being used. Refer to OSHA Std. 1910.106 for other requirements. Generally a maximum of 3 cabinets can be located within a single fire division.
The filling of gasoline powered carts should be at least 25 feet from any building. Filling operations should not be attempted when the engine is hot. (i.e. cart gives out of gas).
Battery (Electric) Powered Carts
Electric Carts should be inspected regularly for corrosion on battery cables and terminals. A container of baking soda should be readily available for use in the event of contact with battery acid or corrosion. When connecting or disconnecting the battery and during charging operations, a full face shield should be worn.
Golf Cart Storage Buildings
Golf Carts should be stored in secured buildings with adequate ventilation systems. The building should preferably be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system or at least an early warning fire detection system connected to a central station alarm.
Many Golf Cart Storage Buildings may contain flammable vapors from fuels or hydrogen gas which is produced during battery charging operations. Wiring, switches, lights, fans, etc. that could be exposed to flammable vapors (heavier than air) from fuels or hydrogen gas (lighter than air) should be explosive proof per NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and NEC GOLF CART SAFETY Checklist (cont)
Golf Cart Storage Buildings (cont)
(National Electric Code) requirements. Ventilation systems should be designed to provide the required number of air changes per hour required by the NEC and NFPA (National Electric Code & National Fire Protection Association) for Hazardous Locations.
Battery Chargers should be grounded and connected to an electrical circuit that incorporates use of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters). Electrical circuit should be connected to a power panel equipped with circuit breakers that will trip if an overload (short, etc.) occurs.
Battery chargers should be secured so that they will not fall from overhead locations. Cords and connectors should be checked frequently to insure that there are no cracks in the connectors or damage to the cords (broken or worn insulation).
Golf Cart Storage Building should be a designated a “No Smoking Area” with signs posted and No Smoking Rule enforced.
Good housekeeping is essential to good fire prevention. Dirty rags or other combustible materials should not be allowed to collect on the floor around work areas or in storage areas. Dirty rags contaminated with solvents, grease, etc. should be stored in U.L. or F.M. approved self-closing metal containers until removed.
Cart Operator Guidelines
Operator should inspect cart before using it. Walk around cart before getting into it. Brakes and other controls should be tested before taking it out on the course.
Number of passengers should be limited to cart capacity as specified by manufacturer
Passenger safety is the responsibility of the cart operator.
Only operate cart from the driver’s side
Set brake when after coming to a complete stop
Watch out for overhead obstructions when entering/leaving Cart Storage Building
Reduce speed and use caution when operating cart in reverse, on hills, wet turf or rough terrain
Golf carts do not provide lightning protection – seek shelter GOLF CART SAFETY Checklist (cont)
Cart Operator Guidelines (cont)
Arms and legs should be kept inside the cart at all times
Do not make sharp turns on uneven or steep surfaces
Passengers must be properly seated before putting cart into motion
Cart should come to a complete stop before passengers get in or out of the cart
Pedestrians have the right of way
Obey all signs that are posted in following areas:
“Steep Incline - Full Stop Required” sign posted at the top of steeply inclined cart paths. Speed bumps and signs help to control cart speed on steep inclines.
Cart paths that cross active vehicle roads have a “Stop – Vehicle Traffic – Look Both Ways Before Crossing Carefully” sign on the cart path.
“Slow – Cart Crossing” signs are posted on active vehicular roads where cart paths cross the road. Striping paint is used to identify the cart path crossing point.