The Greenkeepers
Training Committee (GTC) has launched a free-to-use web-based platform created
by the Xact Group that aims to ensure golf club employers understand their
roles and responsibilities towards health and safety with regard to golf course
maintenance.
In 2017, the GTC’s
Board of Directors commissioned a review of the highly-acclaimed Health and
Safety Guidance Notes and the committee is pleased to announce the release of
the updated guidelines.
The GTC first worked
together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 1994 to produce the
first edition of the Health and Safety in Golf Course Management and
Maintenance booklet. By 2000, the health and safety consultants to the GTC, Jon
Allbutt and John Davies, were commissioned to review the materials, in line
with the many changes in legislation that were happening at that time.
While much of the
guidance and best practice was still relevant, the GTC felt it appropriate to
review and update and refresh the look and accessibility of the guidance notes.
The GTC consulted
with Chris Hammond, health and safety director at The Xact Group, to build on
what has been produced before and help to design and implement a web-based
platform. The Xact Group work with BIGGA, England Golf, Scottish Golf and Wales
Golf in the build and support of their health and safety online systems and
provision of additional onsite health and safety and human resources services
to member clubs.
GTC Chairman
Alistair Booth said: “The aim of the newly-published guidance notes has been to
give anyone at a golf club, or associated with a golf club, an overview of
their roles and responsibilities towards health and safety and best practice.
They have been moved to a web-based platform, making them easier for everyone
to access.
“With
increasingly-complex machinery and other tools being used on golf courses,
these guidelines are hugely important in ensuring all involved in the
management of a golf club understand their specific responsibility in keeping
staff and golfers safe. As such, if these new guidelines are followed
correctly, they could save lives or at least reduce the risk of serious
incidents taking place around the golf course environment.”
The web-based
platform is packed full of information and guidance on all aspects of golf
course management and maintenance, covering areas such as: roles and
responsibilities; legislation; greenkeeping safety; events; clubhouse
management; establishing a health and safety management system.
The new website can
be accessed by visiting the GTC’s website
and clicking on the Health & Safety link. Visitors who require further
guidance, such as risk assessments and template documentation, can consult
their relevant full guidance Health & Safety website, such as BIGGA,
England Golf, Scottish Golf or Wales Golf.
The GTC Work
Equipment – Record of Training and Competencies wallchart has been a feature in
greenkeeping facilities for a number of years. The wallchart is used to aid
with the recording of staff training and competence and will continue to be a
useful tool. The wallchart can be purchased from the GTC shop online.
