Proactive care

There are few dangers working behind a keyboard. Sure, people should be aware of being overly sedentary or developing poor posture but let’s be serious, “physically dangerous” is not the leading descriptor for a desk job. It wouldn’t be for golf course maintenance, either, but there are risks in a job requiring such physicality. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risks so that individuals, the team and the workplace are as safe as possible.

Safety starts with a culture that values and promotes it. “In this whole chain of responsibility from insurance companies to legislators to management to superintendent to employee, of everyone involved, no one cares personally about the employee as much as the superintendent does,” says Mickey McCord, owner of McCord Golf Services and Safety.

Even though individuals need to be personally responsible and should care for teammates, the superintendent must set the tone.

“That’s where the message comes from most strongly,” McCord says. “No matter what you are obligated to do, you have your family and your work family. You spend a lot of time with the crew members. No one wants to see employees seriously hurt or killed but it happens.

“Superintendents want to run a safe operation. It’s just learning how to do it and understanding that it can be accomplished.”

Brent Palich, superintendent at Brookside Country Club in Canton, Ohio, believes “the most important step in maintaining a safe work environment is communication.” This belief is demonstrated at Brookside as a priority every day, early in the day.

“Each morning we meet with the entire staff. We address golf events and special projects that can impact our maintenance processes,” Palich says. “We also cover preventative safety measures including using sun block, staying hydrated or wearing the correct personal protective equipment. Managers can overlook the importance of thoroughly communicating the day’s work and goals. When the staff is fully prepared, there is a reduction in mistakes and accidents.”

At Credit Valley Golf and Country Club, Rachel Sullivan is the health and safety coordinator and an assistant superintendent. At this 18-hole track in Mississauga, Ontario, health and safety is paramount. “At the end of the day, the most important thing is that everyone makes it home the same way they came to work,” Sullivan says. “Everything between clocking in and clocking out pales in comparison to the value of your life.”

The timing of safety discussions is as important as the content. “By bringing attention to health and safety on a regular basis, worker comprehension is improved and accidents, injuries and near misses are minimized,” Sullivan says. “Addressing health and safety proactively is a great way to promote a culture reflecting their importance.”

Technology and training

Culture and communication are the most important aspects of workplace health and safety, but technological advancements help. For instance, ride-on mowers have rollover protection systems. Sunblock lasts longer. Lighting for rooms and vehicles is improved, usually with superbright LEDs. Equipment designs include better guards and shields. Ear buds are another great development, with levels of customization for ambient noise and conversation-enhancing modes.

“The biggest changes in safety training haven’t come from equipment in the past 10 years but from addressing workplace violence and harassment,” Sullivan says. “Training in these areas is more in-depth and more frequent, two pivotal components of successful training programs.”

Safety training is all inclusive. “All employees, onboarding or returning after a seasonal layoff, must be trained on our violence and harassment protocols, first aid, emergency notification system, PPE, heat stress/sun safety, accident/incident reporting and working alone policies before they even step foot on the job,” Sullivan says. “Then, according to duties required, each employee completes on-the-job safety training on each piece of equipment they will use. This is repeated every year.”

That may seem like a lot of training and a lot of time — because it is. But rookies need to learn and veterans should avoid complacency. It feels like an additional responsibility. That’s also true, but try this for perspective: EpiPens, used to counter anaphylaxis, are commonly carried by people with severe allergies. No one wants to use one. The decision to use an EpiPen and its administration is intense.

Now shift the perspective. What a device! Appreciate what a great resource an EpiPen is — there when you need it and ready to save a life. EpiPens and defibrillators should be onsite and everyone should know where they are. Safety training saves lives and livelihoods by preventing accidents and injuries. It strengthens operations and reduces your responsibility because through your caring thoughtfulness, a safe workplace culture is established. Workers who feel and are safe are more productive.

“Training can be individualized when people log on and take the training and a quiz,” McCord says. “Management gets notification that it was accomplished but not everyone has online access. That can be mitigated by doing the training on a device at work. It is nice to have a digital record already available but digital records can be created for any training.”

Safety training at its best is a form of team building. “Training together is the best way,” McCord says. “There is a group dynamic in asking and answering questions and in customizing general information.”

People pay more attention in person and personal experiences can be shared to increase the relevance of the content. Equipment training can also be done as part of a group or with individuals.

“We have a rule that no new employee can operate a piece of equipment until they have been fully trained on the machine and the task,” Palich says. “Our equipment manager will go over the equipment with the new employee. The employee develops a proficient understanding of how it operates, learns the safety features, learns how to wash and fuel the equipment and where it is parked.”

That’s not all.

“Each new employee will then work with an experienced staff member to learn how to safely perform the task and the associated expectations,” Palich adds. “Working with an experienced team member will continue for as long as necessary until new employees can safely and effectively perform the tasks on their own.” Cooperating in this way engages experienced employees in the safety process and empowers them to maintain a culture of safety. Their experience helps minimize accidents.

“Other safety measures include having properly maintained equipment that meets OSHA safety standards and having the right resources for the job,” he says. “Accidents occur more frequently when employees are using antiquated equipment or don’t have the correct tools for their tasks.”

Golf course maintenance requires mental and physical exertion and employees need to professionally care for themselves and one another. For everyone — and especially for you — recognize, communicate and mitigate risks through promoting a culture of health and safety.

Lee Carr is a northeast Ohio-based writer and senior Golf Course Industry contributor.