Who do I contact for health and safety?

[JustOne]

We have some dangerous holes at our course and it isn't being managed properly, who do I contact in terms of EXTERNAL health and safety (to get someone to come and have a look/assess the course), is there some kind of 'golf related' H&S department at our local council offices?

 

[G1BB0]

why are they dangerous?

 

[chrisd]

We have some dangerous holes at our course and it isn't being managed properly, who do I contact in terms of EXTERNAL health and safety (to get someone to come and have a look/assess the course), is there some kind of 'golf related' H&S department at our local council offices?

The Health and Safety Executive are the people, but, once they are called in there is a risk that they will look at far more than you may call them for and cost the club a bomb. Tread carefully James!

 

[stevek1969]

They could shut the course down,our course has path going thru it which is public walk way so HSE has told them to put signs up so watch what you ask for.

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

We have some dangerous holes at our course and it isn't being managed properly, who do I contact in terms of EXTERNAL health and safety (to get someone to come and have a look/assess the course), is there some kind of 'golf related' H&S department at our local council offices?

H&S eh?
Be very careful!!
(With apologies!

Nelson: "Order the signal, Hardy."

Hardy: "Aye, aye sir."

Nelson: "Hold on, this isn't what I dictated to Flags. What's the meaning of this?"

Hardy: "Sorry sir?"

Nelson (reading aloud): " England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability. "What gobbledygook is this for God's sake?"

Hardy: "Admiralty policy, I'm afraid, sir. We're an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil's own job getting ' England ' past the censors, lest it be considered racist."

Nelson: "Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco."

Hardy: "Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments."

Nelson: "In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle."

Hardy: "The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. It's part of the Government's policy on binge drinking."

Nelson: "Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we'd better get on with it, full speed ahead."

Hardy: "I think you'll find that there's a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water. It's an environment protection initiative."

Nelson: "Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Kindly eport from the crow's nest."

Hardy: "That won't be possible, sir."
Nelson: "What?"
Hardy: "Health and Safety have closed the crow's nest, Sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don't meet regulations. They won't allow anyone up there until proper scaffolding can be erected."

Nelson: "Then get me the ship's carpenter without delay, Hardy."
Hardy: "He's busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck, Admiral."

Nelson: "Wheelchair access? I've never heard anything so absurd."

Hardy: "Anti-discrimination requirements, sir. We have to provide a barrier-free environment for the differently abled....."
Nelson: "Differently abled? I've only one arm and one eye, and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn't rise to the rank of Admiral by playing the disability card."
Hardy: "Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under-represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency."
Nelson: "Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons."

Hardy: "A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won't let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don't want anyone breathing in too much salt; have'nt you seen the advertisements?"

Nelson: "I've never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon, and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy."
Hardy: "The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral."

Nelson: "What? This is mutiny!"

Hardy: "It's not that, sir. It's just that they're afraid of being charged with murder, if they actually kill anyone. There are a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board, watching everyone like hawks."

Nelson: "Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?"

Hardy: "Actually, sir, we're not."

Nelson: "We're not?"

Hardy: "No, sir. The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy, we shouldn't even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation."

Nelson: "But you must hate a Frenchman, as you hate the devil."
Hardy: "I wouldn't let the ship's diversity coordinator hear you saying that, sir. You'll be up on disciplinary report."

Nelson: "You must consider every man an enemy who speaks ill of your master."

Hardy: "Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it's the rules. It could save your life."
Nelson: "Don't tell me - health and safety again! Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?"
Hardy: ""As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there's a ban on corporal punishment."
Nelson: "What about sodomy?"
Hardy: "I believe that is now legal, sir."
Nelson: "In that case. Kiss me, Hardy."

 

[Dodger]

Surely you contact your club and voice your concerns rather than potentially shaft them?

 

[bobmac]

We have some dangerous holes at our course and it isn't being managed properly, who do I contact in terms of EXTERNAL health and safety (to get someone to come and have a look/assess the course), is there some kind of 'golf related' H&S department at our local council offices?

Does the club know you plan to bring in H&S?

 

[jason6r]

I'm guessing this is a bit tongue-in-cheek? Contacting the HSE is the nuclear option...unless of course you've spoken to the club and been ignored. Is this just your opinion or a view shared by many?

 

[GB72]

I spoke to my wife who works in health and safety. The HSE are the people but they have so few inspectors that all that they are likely to do is write to the club for comments. If they do send an inspector then they will only look at the concern raised unless they witness any other problems then they have to look into them as well.

 

[JustOne]

...unless of course you've spoken to the club and been ignored. Is this just your opinion or a view shared by many?

This is the case.

It's an opinion shared by many that was/is ignored by the club at a recent meeting with a "stop whinging and just get on with it, we're not changing the course" response. 2 people have been totally floored recently and 4 other hit in the past couple of weeks. We are being asked to stand in the line of fire from people hitting driver on a BLIND par 3! Even our practice putting green is in range from said tee and often balls land right next to you whilst you're on it. Of course people (sometimes) shout fore... but then (of course) you look up to see if it's coming your way.....

 

[JustOne]

I spoke to my wife who works in health and safety. The HSE are the people but they have so few inspectors that all that they are likely to do is write to the club for comments. If they do send an inspector then they will only look at the concern raised unless they witness any other problems then they have to look into them as well.

I might print out a view from Google maps and clearly mark the problem areas complete with yardages etc on the map, it would be VERY obvious that people are in danger from looking at that. Actually I might do a 'web version' now and post it here....

 

[CMAC]

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me JO. You've approached the course who have ignored it by your account, so before someone is maimed or worse something needs to be done.

Don't they realise that by 'officially' ignoring it that if something happens and they get sued they could be big losers all round.

 

[Dodger]

It may be the case the your club feel they are covered.

If they use an external agent and have everything up to speed as per their recommendations then the onus would fall on the agents should something happen that was not 'covered' should you feel the need to chase for compo.

 

[Doh]

This is such a shame as it could be sorted out by doing a risk assessment and putting a procedure in place and a sign or two.Have you got anyone in the club who is responsible for H&S if not you should have under the H&s at work act.
Otherwise you will be opening a big can of worms that could become very expensive and the council should understand that.

 

[JustOne]

The club has no insurance for players. People are 'advised' to get their own,... well actually let's just say I was advised by the club chairman (at the meeting) to get my own if I was so worried about being hit.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Just hang around in the dangerous spots and get a good lawyer...


Kerchiiiing $$$$

 

[sev112]

Have any of you ever actually "spoken" to the HSE ????

1. They are extremely sensible and practical people, who have no time, interest nor budget to do anything that the Mail suggests that they do
2. If you do speak to them, they will give you some practical advice and then let you go on their way. There is no way that they are at all interested in a couple of crossing par 4s
3. Golf courses probably come under the control of the Local Authority not the HSE, as HSE are only interested in workplaces, and most of those come under the control of the LA

 

[macca64]

Have any of you ever actually "spoken" to the HSE ????

1. They are extremely sensible and practical people, who have no time, interest nor budget to do anything that the Mail suggests that they do
2. If you do speak to them, they will give you some practical advice and then let you go on their way. There is no way that they are at all interested in a couple of crossing par 4s
3. Golf courses probably come under the control of the Local Authority not the HSE, as HSE are only interested in workplaces, and most of those come under the control of the LA

Oi, I read the mail!!! But your right about the rest.

 

[JustOne]

Here you go.... we are playing the 9th hole, a 240yrd practically blind tee shot down a hill (you can see the green just about from the tee).

you have to hit from A to B

After hitting from A to B you have to stand at B and call the next group down so they can hit their ball at you, often with driver for the shorter hitters.

You can't see the ball as they are hitting from just over the rise, and they are above you... you look into the sky when they hit but you don't really see the ball unless they thin one. you can take cover behind some trees (behind the green) if you want.

When hitting from A you bring C into the equation with a faded tee shot (that is the practice putting green), you also bring in D which is the water fountain where people refill after playing the 9th and E which is where people stand to play from F (the 10th tee) where someone was recently floored whilst about to tee off!!


Then...... when you DO actually tee off the 10th (F to G) you are trying to land your drive past G approx 240-250yds off the tee..... bringing all the people standing at A (teeing off the 9th) into danger if you slightly leak one to the right....

It's like Afghanistan there.... things flying at you from all directions. Just crazy, someone could literally get VERY hurt.

 

[Dodger]

Here you go.... we are playing the 9th hole, a 240yrd practically blind tee shot down a hill (you can see the green just about from the tee).

you have to hit from A to B

After hitting from A to B you have to stand at B and call the next group down so they can hit their ball at you, often with driver for the shorter hitters.

You can't see the ball as they are hitting from just over the rise, and they are above you... you look into the sky when they hit but you don't really see the ball unless they thin one. you can take cover behind some trees (behind the green) if you want.

When hitting from A you bring C into the equation with a faded tee shot (that is the practice putting green), you also bring in D which is the water fountain where people refill after playing the 9th and E which is where people stand to play from F (the 10th tee) where someone was recently floored whilst about to tee off!!


Then...... when you DO actually tee off the 10th (F to G) you are trying to land your drive past G approx 240-250yds off the tee..... bringing all the people standing at A (teeing off the 9th) into danger if you slightly leak one to the right....

It's like Afghanistan there.... things flying at you from all directions. Just crazy, someone could literally get VERY hurt.

I suggest you offer to carry out a clinic to pass on your 'expert advice' to all who play there,get folk to wear a crash helmet while they hide behind the tree by the green but they can take it off while heading up the other hole as after your 'expert advice' no-one will hit the wrong fairway.

Problem solved.