Golf hazards and risks

What is a hazard?

A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm.

A hazard could be

• a substance

• a machine or item of work equipment

• an activity

• a workplace condition

• a method of work or

• a process.

The harm could include injury, ill health, death, damage or other loss.

Hazards exist in almost every workplace and environment.

Golf courses and driving ranges have a number of hazards that are specific to the way the facilities are designed, used and maintained.

A hazard does not necessarily mean that the risk is high. A hazard may have the potential to cause serious harm while the risk is relatively low because effective control measures are in place.

What is reasonable safety?

It is a legal responsibility for an employer to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare at work of all employees is ensured.

This does not mean removing risks entirely or eliminating all hazards. It is a question of balance. Are you doing enough to reduce the risk based on the risk level and the cost to control it. It is a decision weighted in favour of health and safety.

There are publicly guidelines on golf design in the publication Golf Course Design - Safety Guidelines originally published on behalf of the PGA and the EIGCA (whose guidance is restricted to members). These have become industry standards and are often used as the basis of an assessment of reasonably safe conditions. However, much depends on the particular issue.

Golf course hazards

The word "hazard" has different uses in golf and health and safety, and the two should not be confused.

Golf courses present a wide variety of hazards affecting employees, golfers, contractors, visitors and members of the public.

In golfing terminology, hazards have historically referred to features such as bunkers and water. In health and safety, however, a hazard means anything with the potential to cause harm.

A bunker or pond may therefore be described as a golfing hazard, but its presence does not automatically mean that the health-and-safety risk is high.

For example, a well-designed water feature with suitable banks, barriers and controls may present a relatively low risk, while a poorly designed or inaccessible water feature could present a significant drowning risk.

Another example involve maintenance. When trees are planted either for effect of as “protection”, they grow. If the underside of a canopy is not maintained they can create a risk by reducing visibility which is key for golfers checking whether or not it is safe to take a shot.

The hazards and associated risks thus vary from one course to another, which is why risk assessments should be specific to the activities and conditions at each facility rather than simply copied from another organisation.

It may not be necessary to treat golfing hazards in the same way as, for instance, the use of toxic substances. It is for this reason that understanding golfing risks is important. 

What is a risk?

Risk is the likelihood that harm will occur from a hazard and the severity of the potential consequences.

When assessing risk, it is important to consider both

Likelihood: How likely is the harmful event or exposure to occur?

Severity: If it does occur, how serious could the resulting injury or ill health be?

A risk assessment therefore considers not only whether something could cause harm, but also how likely that harm is to occur and how serious the consequences could be. HSE guidance describes risk in terms of the chance of someone being harmed and how seriously they might be harmed.

Risk should be assessed in the context of the people who may be exposed, including employees, golfers, contractors, visitors and members of the public.

Flying golf balls

One of the most obvious hazards on a golf course is the possibility of a person being struck by a golf ball.

Golf balls can travel at high speed and can cause serious injuries, including head and eye injuries. The risk will depend on factors such as course layout, visibility, player positioning, tee and landing areas, the direction of play and the controls used to protect people.

Risk-control measures may include

clear safety and instructional signs

appropriate course design

protective screening and netting where necessary

suitable separation between areas of play and other activities

clear communication between golfers

appropriate supervision of inexperienced players and

encouraging players to give an immediate and audible warning where a ball could strike another person.

When should golfers shout "Fore!"?

Where there is a reasonable possibility that a golf ball could strike another person, an immediate warning should be given.

The warning can be particularly important where the person at risk may not be able to see the ball approaching. Where there is uncertainty about whether a warning is necessary, giving a clear warning is generally preferable to remaining silent.

Golf clubs should consider the risks created by their particular course layout and player activities rather than relying solely on assumptions about player behaviour.

Machinery should be selected, used and maintained safely, with appropriate safeguards and safe systems of work.

Only people who are suitably trained, competent and authorised should operate machinery. Pre-use checks, maintenance and inspections should be carried out as appropriate for the equipment and the manufacturer's requirements.

Employers should also ensure that suitable records are maintained for training, competence, authorisation, maintenance and relevant inspections.

Risk assessment should consider both normal operation and foreseeable misuse, as well as maintenance, cleaning, adjustment and other non-routine activities. HSE guidance emphasises identifying machinery hazards, considering how equipment may be used or misused, assessing potential harm and selecting suitable safety measures.

Slips, trips and falls

Golf courses can contain numerous slip and trip hazards, including

• uneven ground

• wet grass

• mud

• loose gravel

• exposed tree roots

• changes in ground level

• damaged or uneven paths

• leaves and other vegetation

• ice and poorly maintained access routes.

Employers and those responsible for the premises should consider measures such as

• maintaining paths and access routes

• repairing damaged surfaces

• removing or controlling foreseeable trip hazards

• providing adequate drainage

• managing vegetation and tree roots where necessary

• providing suitable lighting in areas used during hours of darkness and

• using warning signs or other controls where a temporary hazard cannot immediately be removed.

Warning signs should support other controls rather than being used as a substitute for eliminating or controlling a hazard wherever reasonably practicable.

Water hazards

Ponds, lakes, streams and irrigation features can create significant risks, particularly where employees or contractors work close to deep or inaccessible water.

Potential hazards include

falling into water

drowning

unstable or steep banks

difficult access and egress

hidden obstacles

maintenance machinery approaching unstable edges and

cold-water exposure.

Water features should be designed and maintained with safety in mind. Where appropriate, suitable lifesaving equipment should be readily accessible and clearly identified.

The design of lake and pond edges should also be considered. Steep or unstable banks can make it difficult for a person who has fallen into the water to get out. Where appropriate, suitable means of escape or shallow areas may assist a person in exiting the water.

Lone working close to significant water hazards should be avoided where reasonably practicable, or managed through an appropriate lone-working system where it cannot be avoided.

The exact controls required will depend on the site, the depth and nature of the water, access arrangements, the work being undertaken and the people who may be exposed.

Weather conditions

Golf courses are outdoor workplaces, so weather can create or increase a number of hazards.

These may include

heat and sun exposure

cold conditions

ice

lightning

heavy rain

wet surfaces

flooding

high winds

reduced visibility and

rapidly changing weather conditions

Golf clubs should have procedures for responding to severe or changing weather conditions.

This may include:

monitoring appropriate weather information

suspending activities when conditions become unsafe

providing suitable protective clothing

providing drinking water and suitable arrangements for managing heat exposure

providing appropriate facilities or procedures for cold-weather working

ensuring staff understand the signs and symptoms of relevant weather-related illnesses and

providing clear guidance on what employees should do during thunderstorms, high winds or other severe weather.

The controls should reflect the activities being undertaken and the specific conditions at the golf course.

Driving ranges present additional hazards because large numbers of golf balls may be struck within a concentrated area and may travel at high speed.

Important safety measures may include

• protective perimeter netting to help prevent golf balls leaving the range and causing harm or property damage

• clearly defined hitting bays

• suitable separation between hitting positions

• protective barriers or dividers between bays

• regular inspection of mats, dividers, nets and bay surfaces

• safe procedures for collecting golf balls

• appropriate supervision of beginners and inexperienced players

• clear instructions and safety signage

• safe procedures for stopping play when staff need to enter the range and

• ensuring that surfaces, bay dividers and other structures do not create foreseeable dangerous rebounds.

Particular attention should be given to the direction in which balls can travel after striking mats, bay dividers, barriers, nets or other surfaces.

All surfaces and structures within a bay should be assessed to ensure that they do not create an unacceptable risk of balls rebounding towards players, staff or other people.

Golf-ball collection

Golf-ball collection presents a specific risk because collection vehicles and personnel may be exposed to balls being struck by players.

Ball collection should only take place under a clearly defined safe system of work.

Where staff or vehicles enter the range, appropriate controls should ensure that players cannot continue hitting balls into the area.

Collection vehicles should be highly visible and operated by suitably trained and authorised personnel.

The risk assessment should consider communication between range staff and players, vehicle movements, visibility, blind spots and the arrangements for stopping and restarting play.

Workplace transport risks should be assessed with consideration given to pedestrians, vehicle movements, site layout and safe systems of work. HSE recommends considering employees, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by workplace transport activities.

How is risk assessed?

A suitable and sufficient risk assessment should identify the hazards, consider who might be harmed and how, evaluate the risks, record the significant findings where required, implement appropriate controls and review the assessment when necessary. HSE describes this as a five-step approach.

A practical risk-assessment process is

Identify the hazards

Consider what could cause injury or ill health.

For a golf course this might include golf balls, machinery, vehicles, water, chemicals, uneven ground and adverse weather.

Identify who might be harmed and how

Consider everyone who could be affected, including:

• employees

• golfers

• contractors

• visitors

• children and other potentially vulnerable people

• trespassers

• members of the public and

• delivery and service personnel.

Consider how each person could be exposed to the hazard and what type of harm could result.

Evaluate the risks

Consider

• how likely the harmful event is to occur

• how serious the potential harm could be

• how many people could be exposed

• the frequency and duration of exposure and

• the effectiveness of existing control measures

Higher risks can arise where an incident is relatively likely, where the consequences could be serious, or both.

Implement suitable and sufficient control measures

Consider whether the hazard can be eliminated.

If elimination is not reasonably practicable, consider how the risk can be reduced through suitable controls.

Controls should not rely unnecessarily on people simply "taking care". HSE guidance recommends considering measures such as changing workplace layouts, separating pedestrians and vehicles, implementing safe systems of work and providing appropriate training and information.

Record and review the assessment

Where required, findings should be recorded.

Risk assessments should be reviewed when there is reason to suspect that they are no longer valid, following significant changes, or following incidents including near misses.

A risk assessment should be specific to the workplace and activities being assessed rather than copied from another organisation.

What is a risk matrix?

A risk matrix is a tool used to rank risk by considering likelihood and severity.

For example:

How likely is the harmful event to occur?

How serious could any resulting injury or ill health be?

A matrix can then be used to categorise the overall level of risk, such as low, medium or high.

A risk matrix is just a tool rather than a substitute for professional judgement. The categories and scoring system can only be meaningful if the assessor understands risks, their likelihood and their severity.

The purpose of risk assessment is to identify what needs to be done to prevent harm or reduce the risk to an acceptable level and, in a UK workplace context, to ensure risks are controlled so far as is reasonably practicable.

Examples of hazards and risks

Example 1: Stairs

Stairs are not automatically a "risk"; they are a potential source of hazards.

Potential hazards associated with stairs may include:

• slipping

• tripping

• falling

• inadequate lighting

• damaged steps

• missing or inadequate handrails and

• unsuitable or slippery surfaces.

The risk is the possibility that someone could be injured as a result of these hazards.

The stairs themselves may not be capable of being eliminated, but the risks associated with them can often be reduced through measures such as:

• suitable handrails

• appropriate non-slip surfaces

• maintaining steps and nosings

• adequate lighting

• removal of obstructions

• keeping surfaces in good condition and

• suitable warning or temporary controls where necessary

Example 2: Forklift truck

A forklift truck is a source of several hazards rather than being, by itself, "the risk".

Potential hazards include:

• vehicle movement

• reversing

• overturning

• falling loads

• expulsion of driver

• restricted visibility

• contact with pedestrians

• contact with other vehicles or equipment and

• unauthorised or unsafe use.

The resulting risks could include a pedestrian being struck or crushed, a load falling onto a person, or an operator being injured in an overturning incident.

Suitable controls may include:

• separating pedestrians and vehicles where reasonably practicable;

• suitable site layout

• defined vehicle routes

• speed controls

• appropriate visibility measures

• trained and authorised operators

• safe loading arrangements

• maintenance and inspection and

• suitable site safety rules.

Example 3: Toxic substances

The potential routes of exposure may include:

• ingestion

• skin contact

• inhalation and

• contact with eyes.

The risk depends on factors such as the toxicity of the substance, the amount present, how it is used and stored, how people could be exposed, the duration and frequency of exposure, and the effectiveness of control measures.

For substances hazardous to health, a COSHH assessment may be required. This should consider who may be exposed, how exposure could occur and the potential effects of that exposure.

Controls might include:

• eliminating the hazardous substance

• substitution with a less toxic substance

• suitable storage

• secure and restricted access arrangements

• suitable ventilation;

• appropriate work procedures;

• spill procedures;

• emergency procedures

• training and information

• appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE should not normally be treated as the first or only control where more effective measures can be used. Whilst HSE guidance describes PPE as a final control option use of PPE should be a part of a standard working method. Employees should understand that the use of PPE is no guarantee of safety.

How can risks on golf courses and driving ranges be controlled?

The most effective approach is to consider whether a hazard can be eliminated before relying on measures that control people's exposure to it.

Control measures may include:

• eliminating the hazard

• changing design or layout

• separating people from hazards

• physical barriers and guarding

• safe work systems

• suitable maintenance

• regular inspection and testing

• adequate supervision

• training and competence

• information and instructions

• emergency arrangement and

• appropriate PPE

For example, where a driving range presents a risk from flying golf balls, physical separation and suitable netting may provide a more reliable control than simply instructing people to "take care".

Similarly, where a maintenance vehicle operates in an area also used by pedestrians, changing the site layout to segregate the two may provide a preferable control than relying solely on driver awareness.

Frequently asked questions about hazards and risks

What is a hazard in health and safety?

A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm. It may be a substance, item of equipment, activity, workplace condition, process or method of work.

What is a risk in health and safety?

Risk is the likelihood that harm will occur from a hazard, together with the potential severity of that harm.

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm. Risk concerns the likelihood of that harm occurring and how serious the consequences could be.

What are common hazards on a golf course?

Common hazards include flying golf balls, maintenance machinery, vehicles, uneven ground, water, hazardous substances and adverse weather.

What are the main hazards at a driving range?

Driving-range hazards include golf balls travelling at high speed, rebounds from nets and bay dividers, concentrated player activity, ball-collection operations, vehicles and inadequate separation between hitting bays.

Can a hazard exist without creating a significant risk?

Yes. A hazard can have the potential to cause serious harm while the actual risk is low because exposure is unlikely or effective control measures are in place.

How can golf-course risks be reduced?

Risks can be reduced by eliminating hazards where possible and implementing suitable controls such as safe design, physical separation, barriers and netting, maintenance, training, supervision, safe systems of work, signage and appropriate PPE.

Does a risk assessment eliminate hazards?

Not necessarily. A risk assessment identifies hazards and evaluates the risks they create. The assessment should then be used to determine whether hazards can be eliminated or whether suitable measures are needed to control the risks.

Conclusion

Golf courses and driving ranges contain many potential hazards, but the presence of a hazard does not automatically mean that the associated risk is high.

A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm. Risk is concerned with the likelihood of that harm occurring and the severity of the potential consequences.

Effective risk management involves identifying hazards, considering who might be harmed and how, evaluating the risks, implementing suitable control measures and reviewing those measures when necessary.

For golf courses and driving ranges, this may include controlling risks associated with flying golf balls, maintenance machinery, workplace vehicles, slips and trips, water, hazardous substances and adverse weather.

The purpose of a risk assessment is not simply to produce a risk score or complete paperwork. Its purpose is to identify what could cause harm and determine what needs to be done to prevent that harm or reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

Many clubs rely on generic risk assessments carried out by persons with no understanding of the specific risks associated with golf. In my opinion, this leaves such clubs open to the accusation of not having a suitable and sufficient risk assessment required by regulation.

Good risk management allows golf courses and driving ranges to provide safe environments for employees, golfers, contractors, visitors and members of the public while recognising and controlling the hazards inherent in the activities taking place.