You can’t risk not talking about it

The safety of guests, members and staff at golf courses, country clubs and resorts must be a priority to owners and operators. Primarily, place utmost value on human life and enjoyment.  Secondly, identify and address potentially perilous conditions. Lastly, take other, concerted measures to properly protect your business against real liability and financial risks.

By virtue of curating thousands of acres, golf course superintendents hold countless responsibilities for the welfare of people and property. They are also increasingly charged with maintaining insides and outsides of all buildings. Anything can happen at any time, but with proper planning and training, the odds of deleterious effects greatly diminish.

Landscapes Golf Management has spent years honing its safety protocols.  The combination of director of safety Rodney Strange, vice president of human resources Cesar Martinez, vice president of operations Mike Williams, and a team of self-aware golf course superintendents and golf professionals proactively guide a comprehensive, “sound security” program. Also critical to success is Tim Huber, vice president at Lockton Companies, an extension of the team and advocate on all things insurance and risk mitigation. The Landscapes Golf Management team shared with Golf Course Industry key focuses and offered tips you can use when developing insurance and risk mitigation programs:

Insurance

• “Tee to green” coverage protects tee boxes, fairways, bunkers, greens, trees and underground sprinklers from storm damage, including lightning, wind, hail, vandalism and water damage.
• Property coverage for the clubhouse, maintenance buildings, golf carts, maintenance equipment and other contents within buildings fall under a special coverage property form that includes the perils of fire, wind, hail, vandalism and electrical arcing.
• Other coverages include liquor liability, workers compensation, automobile liability, automobile physical damage, pollution liability and crime, including employee dishonesty computer fraud and funds transfer coverages.
• Cyber liability coverage includes ransomware, third-party liability and business interruption.

Risk Mitigation

• Reduce a well-written safety plan to writing, following OSHA guidelines, and quiz employees about its contents.
• Develop, train and conduct drills in accordance with an emergency action plan, so everyone knows what to when various challenging circumstances arise.
• Implement a formal, holistic inspection program to identify hazards before the hazards cause injuries or property damage.
• Establish a formal reporting and investigation process to identify causes of an accident and implement controls to prevent reoccurrence. This includes immediately reporting all dangerous conditions to supervisors.
• Check staff backgrounds, especially those working with youth.
• Maintain good housekeeping – keep floors, aisles and exits clean, dry and clean of clutter and water – to prevent slips and falls. 
• Install and maintain a proper fire extinguishing system alongside rated electrical and cooking systems with inspections annually at a minimum. While you’re at it, check fire detection and alarm systems regularly.
• Fill in holes, level depressions, keep trees well-trimmed and pick up fallen branches property-wide.
• Keep cart paths and parking lots clear of debris. Repair uneven concrete, asphalt and steps. Mark walkways correctly.
• Well ventilate electric cart charging areas to remove flammable hydrogen gases generated during battery charging. The same goes – fire extinguisher included – for gas cart areas.
• Post no-smoking signs indoors and outdoors.
• Comply with all local, state and federal pesticide and herbicide laws and regulations, including satisfactory training; licenses; manufacturers’ instructions for proper application, storage and disposal; use of well-conditioned personal protective equipment; and visible notifications of chemical applications which could represent potential hazards.
• Always maintain fully supplied first-aid kits and a defibrillator(s).
• Recognize impaired and inexperienced or underage drivers and passengers to guard against golf carts tipping over or crashing into pedestrians.
• Stay alert to the weather. During heat waves, provide more water and suggest regular breaks. Realize common symptoms and supply sunscreen for skin protection.
• Employ not just a lightning and tornado detection system, but one that can predict these dangerous storms before the strike.
  

Businesses incur huge reputation and monetary losses – and even cease operation – due to shortfalls in attention to safety measures before and after adverse situations occur.  Don’t fall into this category.