Golfdom, September 2012

Costa was only 42 years old married with two children An investigation of the accident by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry cited the golf course for improper use of the sprayer and inadequate training finding Costa had dismounted the unit without engaging the parking brake or blocking the wheels The department also proposed close to 17000 in fines against the course I was crushed after reading about Costas accident I wanted to learn more about how the golf course maintenance industry was dealing with workplace safety and where it fell in the hierarchy of course conditioning and tight budgets I wanted to talk to the professionals in this industry the superintendents the manufacturers the Man The right thing to do Every superintendent I spoke with was committed to safety on and off the record I heard about monthly safety meetings and equipment training sessions paper trails and workmans comp rebates I heard about making safety the No 1 priority Not because of fines or insurance or corporate policy but because its the right thing to do Mike Williams superintendent at Whittier Narrows Golf Course Los Angeles says preparedness is key when it comes to workplace safety Accidents dont happen every day but you still have to react and be prepared for them You always have to be on your toes for when something does happen out of the ordinary Williams runs safety meetings once a month and discusses topics pertaining to the time of year or current projects In the summer we talk about heat stress and exhaustion and taking care to not get overheated says Williams If were cutting trees we talk about safety with chainsaws Everyone signs off on it so they understand if something does happen I have their signature I also ask them questions so when they leave the meeting there is no uncertainty about what is right and what is wrong Williams also notes the importance of properly maintained equipment I have a very good mechanic who makes sure all guards are in place and that safety switches are not bypassed Im not going to sacrifice someones safety just because its Friday at two oclock and Ive got two more fairways to cut and somethings wrong with the machine I will definitely have that machine repaired before they jump on it again Theres no hurry to get the golf course ready when it involves someones safety Good business Proper safety training and documentation can also save money Shane Wright CGCS at the Vero Beach Fla Country Club has earned workmans comp rebates at his club for the past five years Play It Safe Continued from page 26 ANOTHER CLOSE CALL Casey Crittenden CGCS at Bella Vista CC knows three things that can save your life on the course A seatbelt a roll bar and cell phone In 2010 a maintenance employee at Crittendens course in Bella Vista Ark was mowing near a creek bank when the back tire of the mower dropped into a hole The mower flipped and the employee Bonnie Vines was trapped underneath Vines had followed all of the proper safety procedures most importantly securing her seat belt which along with the roll bar prevented 28 Golfdom September 2012 her from being crushed by the mower Keeping calm Vines used her cell phone to call the assistant superintendent and report the accident The assistant in turn immediately contacted 911 Members of the local fire department along with three of Vines coworkers eventually freed her from underneath the mower She was then airlifted to a hospital in Springfield Mo where she was treated and released It was just one of those freak accidents says Crittenden I think most employees want to do a good job and sometimes we all fail to recognize some potential issues when were out there so we have to all remind ourselves and be cognizant of those things Fortunately she had followed all of the safety procedures we discuss in our meetings and that probably saved her life The accident served as a learning experience for Crittenden and his staff It also reminded everyone of the importance of following Bella Vistas safety procedures which require hard hats seat belts and equipment inspection As Crittenden says You really have to be prepared for anything I think most employees want to do a good job and sometimes we all fail to recognize some potential issues when were out there so we have to all remind ourselves and be cognizant of those things Casey Crittenden CGCs Bella Vista CC phoToS CoURTESY CASEY CRITTEndEn LEFT MIKE wILLIAMS