Health and Safety Policy for Wellington College Golf Course.

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 course or may arise through playing the game of golf.

This guide also accompanies the General Risk Assessment for Golf at Wellington.

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 stated in ‘Golf Course Management and Maintenance’ by The Health and Safety Executive.

· Striking the Ball

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.

The course is compact and much care needs to be taken.

Special attention must be paid when where 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, public and greens staff pass a safe distance, out of range before driving and shout ‘fore’ loudly if there is any chance of anyone being hit.

In particular the following holes need special consideration: -

1^stHole. Beware of Players on chipping and putting green and on 2^nd tee.

2^nd Hole. Beware of players on 3^rd tee and on the public footpath beyond.

3^rd Hole. Beware of players on the 1^st and 8^th greens when teeing off or playing approach shots to the green.

5^th Hole. Beware of players on the fairway over the hill from the tee. Wait until the bell is sounded before teeing off.

6^th Hole. Beware of players around the 5^th green area, particularly as they walk towards the 6^th tee. Large groups of people using the adjacent lane should be allowed to pass before teeing off or playing a shot likely to stray onto the road. Also beware of players on the 7^th green

7^th Hole. Beware of players on the 8^th tee and 6^th fairway/rough.

8^th Hole. Beware of players on 7^th green and on 5^th fairway. Both groups may be reached by a miss hit shot from the tee. Beware of players on the 3^rd green when playing an approach shot to the 8^th green.

9^th Hole. Beware of players coming across the bridge on the 8^th hole when teeing off. Beware of players on the 7^th tee when playing an approach shot to the green.

Driving range: When the driving range is in use, all players are responsible not to hit the ball more than 210 yards so that balls do not reach the footpath at the end of the range

Ensure that practice facilities are used correctly, particularly driving nets ,driving only from the mats supplied close to the stop nets to prevent the ball missing and causing injury. Do not chip at the chipping green if another player is within range of being hit.

· Exposure to 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 cut 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 spread 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 Greenkeepers for advice on substances used.

· Waterways ,Steams and Ponds

The lakes and ponds do pose a potential drowning risk and there fore players must not attempt to retrieve balls from ponds where they can not get a safe firm foothold from a 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.

· Wildlife

Players should be aware that there is a potential threat from wildlife such as wasps, bees and snakes on the course, particularly adders which do have a venomous bite requiring urgent medical attention.

When venturing into the long roughs and woodland before a hand or foot is used, the ground should be searched with a club first to scare away adders and to safely alert oneself to the presence of bees, wasps and hornets.

· 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 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 . Players do not have right of way over staff.

On- course machinery must be kept away from and shots should not be played when there is a chance of hitting machines and their operatives.

· Thunder and Lightning

Deaths occur regularly on golf courses from players being struck and therefore it is essential to observe the following instructions:-

In the event of thunder and or lightning players must leave the course and find safe shelter immediately.

Safe shelter includes

the two specific wooden shelters, by the 1^st and 5^th tees – for use if thunder and lightning arrives very quickly with little notice to enable evacuation to no. 3 below
car or minibus with doors and windows shut
a significant building, such as college buildings, boarding houses, or the sports centre.

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.

IF SHELTER IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH SAFELY, LEAVE CLUBS AND GET AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, eg. IN A NEARBY DITCH, HOLLOW OR BUNKER

Players must not return to play until at least half an hour after the last lightning or thunder has taken place.

· Stones and objects on the course

From time to time stones may appear on the surface of the turf and in the bunker sand. Please check, particularly, in the roughs before playing a shot to ensure that injury from stones does not occur. Remove and dispose in a safe place.

· Accessing the course by car

Drivers must observe the college speed limit of twenty miles per hour at all times.

Use the sign posted stone track from the Anglesey, rather than via Connaught Close to access the course when approaching from the north.

Park in designated areas, not obstructing other cars or any gates, as this will hamper any emergency access to the course and surrounding properties.

· Emergency Contact

The nearest Public Telephones are located at the Porter’s Lodge and Sports Centre.

First Aid should be available at Sports Centre, Porter’s Lodge and Medical Centre.

Contact Telephone Numbers:-

Sports Centre Reception 01344 44 4244

Medical Centre 01344 44 4111

Porters Lodge 01344 44 4001.

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness

I M Henderson

i/c Golf

5/9/09

Revised:

1/9/10

2/9/11

29/1/12