Golf Course Maintenance Safety

Golf Course Maintenance Safety

Using lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and gardening tools.

Course maintenance is essential to our club’s success and is the crucial factor in maintaining the image of a quality course. We want you to remain safe as you beautify the course with the proper equipment. Follow these safety tips:

Hedge Trimmers

Before-Use Precautions:

  • Read the instruction manual before operating machinery.
  • Inspect the equipment before use.
  • Ensure that the safety guards are in working order and are not damaged.
  • Check for loose screws or bolts.
  • Replace any broken or damaged parts.
  • Sharpen the blades if needed.
  • Clear the area of stones, debris and garbage, and do not work when others are nearby.
  • Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, eye protection (goggles or safety glasses), ear protection (earplugs or ear muffs), non-slip gloves and steel-toed boots with non-slip soles.
  • Pull back long hair, and remove hanging jewellery that could become caught on the equipment.

During-Use Precautions:

  • Carry the tool to the desired location by the front handle with the cutting blades behind you.
  • Position your body a safe distance from the blades.
  • Keep the tool below chest height.
  • Do not remove any of the safety equipment on the tool while it is in use.
  • Grasp the tool tightly by the handles with both hands.
  • Position your body away from the engine fumes to avoid inhalation.
  • When using electric models, keep the cord away from the blades to avoid cutting it.

Lawn Mowers

General Safety Practices:

  • Be cautious when filling the gas tank. Wipe up any spills, and never fill a tank on a mower that is still hot from recent use.
  • Do not wear loose-fitting clothes that could catch on controls or fast-moving parts. Instead, wear long pants, sturdy boots and a form-fitting shirt.
  • Wear appropriate hearing protection.
  • Make sure objects and other workers are out of the area before mowing.
  • Drive riding mowers directly up and down slopes – never diagonally – to avoid rollovers.
  • Never leave a running mower unattended.
  • Disconnect spark plugs when servicing a mower to prevent the engine from starting.
  • Never disconnect the safety features installed by the manufacturer.

Specific Mower Hazards:

  • The cutting edge of the blade can travel up to 322 kilometres per hour (km/h), cutting anything that gets in its path.
  • Objects such as stones and sticks can fly out when struck by the blade. These items can travel at 322 km/h and can cause serious injury to you or others nearby.
  • The muffler and cylinder head are extremely hot and remain that way for a long period of time after the engine is turned off.
  • Avoid these areas to prevent burns.
  • Gasoline from the engine is extremely flammable.

General Gardening

Safety Recommendations

  • Check your equipment on a regular basis to ensure it is in good working order. If you notice something is broken, alert your supervisor so it can be fixed immediately.
  • Always use the correct tool for the task.
  • Rotate the tasks that you are doing to avoid performing the same movements over and over for extended periods of time. This can lead to repetitive motion injuries and stress on your body.
  • During warmer weather, drink plenty of water even when you do not feel thirsty.
  • Always wear light-coloured and lightweight clothing, sunglasses and a hat to protect your face and body from the sun.
  • Wear sunblock with at least 30 SPF to protect against UVA and UVB rays.
  • Always wear thick gardening gloves to protect your hands from cuts, bites, skin irritants, etc.
  • Keep your hands and wrists in a straight line when using hand tools. Excess bending at the wrist weakens your grip, requiring you to use more force.
  • Always wear rubber gloves when handling lawn care chemicals.

Safety First

For more information on golf course risk management and golf course insurance, or to find out how to reduce your insurance costs call CMB at 780.424.2727 or click here to get a quote