St Clements Golf and Sports Centre (SCGSC) Golf Course Risk Assessment

Transcription

1 St Clements Golf and Sports Centre (SCGSC) Health & Safety Document: Golf Course Risk Assessment Course Risk Assessment Statement for St Clements Golf Course (SCGC) The Directors, management and staff at SCGSC sincerely hope that all members and visitors fully enjoy their experience playing the Most Southerly Golf Course in the British Isles, in conditions which are as safe as reasonably possible. This guide is intended to assist players to enjoy their golf safely by making them aware of the hazards that may be present on the golf course or may arise through playing the game of golf. This guide also accompanies the General Risk Assessment for golf at SCGSC. It is essential that all members and their guests follow these guidelines. The golf course maintenance is being carried out in line with best practices as stated in Health and Safety in Golf Course Management and Maintenance by the Health and Safety Executive. The Golf Course: The course is compact and much care needs to be taken. The Risk Assessments noted below are intended to provide a brief resume of possible risks encountered on a hole by hole basis and SCGSC hope the information provided will assist players when making their safety decisions on the course. Individual players remain responsible for their own negligent actions and SCGSC recommends that adequate insurance is arranged by them to provide financial protection in the event of accident or injury. This Risk Assessment has been undertaken with the average golfer in mind; Consideration should be given to the following holes: Risk Assessment Identified Risk Action taken to reduce, minimise risk. Hole No: yard (Par 4) 1. Access to the tee box is via steps constructed from railway sleepers. 1. Always walk carefully up the matted astro turf areas provided. Extra caution must be taken when wet. Golfers to ensure they have appropriate footwear with well maintained cleats where applicable. 2. The tee shot is played over a mound to a blind landing area. 3. The 2 nd fairway runs parallel to the hole. 2. Players should not drive off until the group in front is clear of the brook and can be seen. 3. Trees have been planted to the right hand side of the fairway to help protect players on the 2nd fairway. Players should be aware of other players on the 2nd fairway.

2 Hole No: yard (Par 4) continued: 4. A water hazard runs across this hole. 5. The 2nd tee box is close to the 1 st green. 4. Players must not attempt to retrieve balls if they cannot get a safe firm foothold from the gently sloping side. Players should use a special ball retrieval tool in order to remove balls safely from the water. 5. Players must shout Fore immediately if their ball is heading in the direction of this area. Hole No: yard (Par 5) 1. The 1 st fairway runs parallel to the 2 nd hole. 2. The 1 st tee box is close to the 2 nd green. 3. A water hazard runs across this hole. 4. Players walking to the 3 rd tee box from the 2 nd green. 1. Trees have been planted on the right hand side of the fairway to help protect players on the 1st fairway. 2. Players must shout Fore immediately if their ball is heading in the direction of this area. 3. Players must not attempt to retrieve balls if they cannot get a safe firm foothold from the gently sloping side. Players should use a special ball retrieval tool in order to remove balls safely from the water. 4. Players leaving the 2 nd green must pass to the left hand side of the green and follow the path to the rear of that green, the rear of both the 1 st tee box and 9 th green. Hole No 3: 196 yard (Par 3) 1. The 9 th fairway runs parallel to the 3 rd hole. 2. The road, known as La Blinerie Lane, runs parallel to the left hand side of the 3 rd tee box. 3. A lateral water hazard runs parallel to the left hand side of the tee box. 1. Trees have been planted to the right hand side of the fairway to help protect players on the 9 th fairway. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in the direction of the 9 th fairway. 2. Trees have been planted to the left hand side of the fairway to help protect pedestrians and vehicles using this lane. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in that direction. If the golf ball lies in this lane, it is OOB. If the ball is being retrieved, extreme caution must be taken with regard to passing traffic. 3. Players must not attempt to retrieve balls if they cannot get a safe firm foothold from the gently sloping side. Players should use a

3 Hole No 3: 196 yard (Par 3) continued Hole No 4: 278 yard (Par 4) 1. Access to the tee box is via steps constructed from railway sleepers. 2. This is a short par 4 and is drivable from the tee box. 3. The 8 th fairway runs parallel to the 4 th hole. 4. The road, known as La Blinerie Lane, runs parallel to the left hand side of the 4 th tee box and fairway. 5. Water hazard and brook on approach to the 4 th green. 6. Players passing in front of the 4 th tee box, en route to the 8 th tee. 7. Golfers leave the 4 th green to access to the 5 th tee box by crossing La Blinerie Lane. special ball retrieval tool in order to remove balls safely from the water. 1. Always walk carefully up the matted astro turf areas provided. Extra caution must be taken when wet. Golfers to ensure they have appropriate footwear with well maintained cleats where applicable. 2. Players should not drive off until the green is clear. 3. Trees have been planted to the right hand side of the fairway to help protect players on the 8 th fairway. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in the direction of the 8 th fairway / green. 4. Trees have been planted to the left hand side of the fairway to help protect pedestrians and vehicles using this lane. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in that direction. If the golf ball lies in this lane, it is OOB. If the ball is being retrieved, extreme caution must be taken with regard to passing traffic. 5. Players must not attempt to retrieve balls from the pond or the brook if they cannot get a safe firm foothold from the gently sloping side. Players should use a special ball retrieval tool in order to remove balls safely from the water. 6. Ask those players to stand to one side and allow you to tee off OR ask them to proceed to the 8 th tee. Do not tee off until they have got there. 7. A sign has been erected at the exit from the 4 th green warning players to take caution when crossing this lane. Further signs have been placed in the lane, either side of this exit to warn pedestrians and motorists that golfers may be crossing the lane and to take caution.

4 Hole No 5: 134 yard (Par 3) Hole No 6: 162 yard (Par 3) Hole No 7: 350 yard (Par 4) Hole No 8: 178 yard (Par 3) 1. Access to the tee box is via steps constructed from railway sleepers. 2. The 6 th fairway and La Blinerie Lane run parallel to this hole. 1. The 5 th fairway runs parallel to this hole. 2. Errant golf balls from the nearby Longueville Golf Range. 3. Leaving the 6 th green to the 7 th tee box, players must pass through a carpark. 1. A pond and waterway run the length of the left hand side of this hole and also in front of the green. 2. Golfers leave the 7 th green to access to the 8 th tee box by crossing La Blinerie Lane. 3. Golfers have to pass in front of the 4 th tee box en route to the 8 th tee. 1. Access to the tee box is via steps constructed from railway sleepers. 1. Always walk carefully up the matted astro turf areas provided. Extra caution must be taken when wet. Golfers to ensure they have appropriate footwear with well maintained cleats where applicable. 2.Trees have been planted on both sides of the fairway to help protect players on the 6 th fairway and pedestrians and motorists using the lane. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in either direction. 1. Trees have been planted to help protect players on the 5 th fairway. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in that direction. 2. Fencing and trees have been installed to protect the golfer as they walk down this fairway. 3. Golfers are advised to take caution when making their way to the 7 th tee box. On entering the car park, please pass to the left hand side using the area between the car park and outbuildings. 1. Players must not attempt to retrieve balls from the pond or the waterway if they cannot get a safe firm foothold from the gently sloping side. Players should use a special ball retrieval tool in order to remove balls safely from the water. 2. Golfers to take caution when crossing this lane. At the crossing point, the road in both directions is clearly visible. Please be aware of pedestrians and motorists. 3. If asked by those players on the 4 th tee box, please stand to one side to allow them to tee off OR they may ask you to proceed to the 8 th tee. They are not to tee off until you have arrived there. 1. Always walk carefully up the matted astro turf areas provided. Extra caution must be taken when wet. Golfers to ensure they have appropriate footwear with well maintained

5 Hole No 8: 178 yard (Par 3) continued Hole No 9: 422 yard (Par 4) 2. The 4 th and 9 th fairways run parallel to the 8 th hole. 3. Players teeing from the 8 th tee box. 4. The water hazard in front of the green and the pond located to the right hand side of the fairway between the 8 th green and the 9 th tee box. 1. Players teeing from the 9 th tee box. 2. The 1 st, 8 th and 3rd fairways run parallel to the 9 th hole. 3. The tee shot is played to the top and over a mound to a blind landing area. 4. The 1 st and 3 rd tee boxes are close to the 9 th green. cleats where applicable. 2. Trees have been planted on both sides of the fairway to help protect players on the 8 th tee and fairway. 3. The 9 th tee box is clearly visible from the 8 th tee. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in that direction. 4. Players must not attempt to retrieve balls from the brook or the pond if they cannot get a safe firm foothold from the gently sloping side. Players should use a special ball retrieval tool in order to remove balls safely from the water. 1. The 8 th tee box is clearly visible from the 9 th tee. Players should immediately shout Fore if their drive is heading in that direction. 2. Trees have been planted on both sides of the fairway to help protect players on the 9 th fairway. 3. Players should not drive off until the group in front is clear (You will see this group as you play the 8 th hole) 4. Players must shout Fore immediately if their ball is heading in the direction of these areas. The Practice Area and Academy Course: Practice play is strictly limited to the designated practice ground located near the Academy Course and to the small practice putting green on the left of the path leading to the third tee. Practice is strictly forbidden on the course. When using the Academy course you must follow the instructions that are located on the Academy board. Do not chip at the chipping green if another player is within range of being hit.

6 Summary: Before playing any shot, ensure that others, including members of the public, are a safe distance from you as not to be hit by your shot. You are advised to adopt caution, and be aware of your surroundings, when close to any trees on the course, particularly during windy or other adverse weather conditions. While branches considered to be dangerous are removed whenever possible, SCGSC cannot be held responsible for natural conditions prevailing at any particular time. Special attention must be paid when a tee lies behind a green or is close to a fairway that could be hit by a wayward drive. In all cases let players, and greenkeepers pass a safe distance, out of range before driving. Exposure to: Remember: To shout Fore loudly if there is any chance of anyone being hit. Toxins, bacteria and viruses: With any outdoor sport it is essential that hands are washed as soon as possible after play and that care is taken to avoid undue hand to mouth contact to limit the possibility of infection. Animal faeces, urine, bacteria all occur naturally in the environment and may pose a health risk. All waterways carry the potential risk of Leptospirosis, (Weil s disease) and all cuts or grazed skin must be covered if it is to come into contact with water. Direct contact with irrigation water should be avoided whenever possible and must not be drunk. Pesticides and Fertilisers: Fertilisers and Pesticides are used and possible traces may exist on the turf even days after application. Avoid hand to mouth contact with unwashed hands and clean the ball using a ball washer provided on the course regularly. Signs will be displayed when the spraying of such chemicals is being applied to the course. These signs must be observed. Particular care should be taken to abide by all notices and wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking. Should any ill health effects be noticed contact the Head Greenkeeper for advice on the substances used. Wildlife: In the event that you come across any dead wildlife on the course, you are expressly prohibited from any contact with it and requested to advise a member of SCGSC staff, who will deal with it accordingly. Summary: You are advised to avoid oral contact with anything that comes into contact with the golf course (including trees, sand, soil and grass); particularly when caution signs indicate that chemicals have recently been sprayed on the course.

7 It is essential that hands are washed as soon as possible after play Waterways, Streams and Ponds: The ponds and waterways do pose a potential drowning risk and therefore players must not attempt to retrieve balls from the above where they cannot get a safe firm foothold from the gently sloping side. Players should use a special ball retrieval tool in order to remove balls safely from deep water. In all cases when venturing into wet areas another player should be close by in order to assist in case of an accident. Fog, Thunder and Lightning: If SCGSC decide that weather conditions are such that it is unsafe to play, the course will be closed and a player may not override this decision. A siren will be sounded to warn those players on the course as follows:- 1. One prolonged note of the siren: Discontinue play immediately! Players must leave the course and find safe shelter immediately. If you are near Longueville Golf Range, this may be used. 2. Two short notes of siren: Players can resume play. Note: In the event of thunder and or lightning, players must not return to play until at least half an hour after the last lightning or thunder has taken place and the above siren sounded. Shelter under trees is very dangerous and must never be attempted. If thunder and lightning is close, clubs should be left and not carried to reduce chances of being hit. Stones and objects on the course: From time to time stones may appear on the surface of the turf, especially on the 1 st and 2 nd fairways. These stones are identified by white paint. Please check, particularly, in the roughs before playing a shot to ensure that injury from stones does not occur. Maintenance and Machinery on the course. Work during play is essential to maintain the course. Therefore there are times when staff will be at risk from flying golf balls. It is essential that players wait for staff to complete a task and remove themselves from the playing area before playing a shot. Greenkeepers will move as soon as they can to allow play to continue. Note: Players do not have right of way over greenkeeping staff. Golfers must keep away from on course machinery and shots should not be played when there is a chance of hitting machines and their operatives.

8 Access to the Golf course for Mowers and Emergency vehicles. Access to the golf course is possible at the following locations: 1. The wooden gate between 1 st tee box and 2 nd green. 2. Gate leading from the North Car Park near the 3 rd tee box 3. Access in front of the 4 th tee box from La Blinerie Lane. 4. Access to the 7 th fairway from La Blinerie Lane Please Park in designated areas, and do not obstruct other cars or any gates, as this will hamper any emergency access to the course and surrounding properties. Opening Hours: The Reception Kiosk is manned from 07:30 until sunset, and during this time the golf course is considered to be OPEN. There will be players who play outside these times and therefore they should consider whether the course is safe to play. Players have a duty of care to ensure that they do not injure themselves. All players play at their own risk and should do nothing to jeopardise the safety of themselves or others. ACCIDENT & EMERGENCIES: All employees of SCGSC are trained in First Aid, Basic Life Support and the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). First Aid is available at the Sports Centre Reception Kiosk In the event of an accident, a First Aid box is located in the Reception Kiosk. The AED is located in the main lobby of the Club house. Accident Reporting: All accidents must be reported to the Manager, in the first instance or in his absence the Reception staff and a detailed entry made into the Accident Book located in Reception Emergency Contact: Contact Telephone Numbers:- Sports Centre Reception: Manager: or This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness.