Disclaimer: Friends of Nolin Lake is not endorsing the use of golf carts on neighborhood county roads. This is simply an article on safety. Kentucky Statute 189.286 states that local government can pass an ordinance to approve golf carts on their county roads. Check with your county for their laws. Golf Carts Aren't Just for Golfers - Keith Piercy, Compliance Safety and Health Officer, Tampa OSHA Area Office I don't play golf. Nor, I suspect, do a lot of you. It doesn't matter. This story isn't just about golf. That's because golf carts are no longer just on golf courses. You see them all over‐‐on campuses, large plant facilities and in warehouses. They're also typically used as work vehicles to transport workers and equipment from one building or job site to another. So, safe use of golf carts is an important topic. This is especially true when you consider that some workers have a tendency to view them as toys and ride around on them without worrying about the danger, but golf carts are dangerous. They can tip over, tumble down damp hills and collide with other vehicles. Golf carts have become a popular mode of transportation, on and off the links because of their small size, low maintenance, and ease of use. Case reports suggest severe, debilitating injuries as consequences of golf cart incidents. An estimated 48,255 golf cart‐related injuries occurred in the U.S. between 2002 and 2005; the injury rate was 4.14 out of a 100,000 population. The highest injury rates were observed in 10 to 19 year‐olds and those aged 80 and older. Males had a higher injury rate than females. 1 From an occupational standpoint, nationwide between 05/01/2007 and 05/01/2011, OSHA investigated 21 fatalities involving golf cart type equipment; 7 of which occurred in Region IV. Fifty‐two percent of the fatalities occurred at golf and club type facilities. 2 These accidents were caused by employees who did not take precautions, or generally ignored the rules. Primary causes of the accidents included cart overturns, falling/jumping from moving golf carts, collisions with another vehicle or stationary object, and struck/run over by carts. However simple the rules may be, it is important to adhere to them and help everyone to stay safe. Here are a few simple rules: Before You Drive
Passenger Safety
Stopping and Parking
Transporting Goods
When You Drive
1. The National Center for Biotechnology Information, Incidence of golf cart‐related injury in the United States. 2. OSHA Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries |
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