Golf cars

Scope

OSHA does not have a specific regulation for golf car use in the workplace. However, OSHA still holds employers responsible for ensuring their safe use under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, which says that employers must use “one or more methods” to protect workers from “serious and recognized hazards.”

Regulatory citations

• 29 USC 654 — Duties of employers and employees (including Pub. L. 91–596 “OSH Act of 1970” 5(a)(1), the “General Duty Clause”)

Note: Voluntary national consensus standards, such as ANSI/ILTVA Z130.1, as well as manufacturers’ recommendations can sometimes be relevant to a general duty clause citation in the sense that the consensus standard and manufacturers’ recommendations may be used as evidence of industry hazard recognition and the availability of feasible means of abatement

Even though golf cars are used in many industrial workplaces to haul materials, golf cars are considered by design to be recreational vehicles and are exempt from OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.178, Powered Industrial Truck standard. OSHA considers the design of the vehicle as the determining factor of whether or not equipment is considered a powered industrial truck, rather than the manner in which it is utilized. See a June 27, 2011, OSHA Letter of Interpretation.

Key definitions

• ANSI/ILTVA Z130.1: A voluntary national industry consensus standard on golf car safety. It covers safe design, operation, inspection, and maintenance of golf cars. OSHA often refers to the industry standard when citing employers for hazards under the General Duty Clause.
• Golf car: ANSI/ILTVA Z130.1 defines a golf car as, “a vehicle used to convey a person or persons and equipment to play the game of golf in an area designated as a golf course.”

Summary of requirements

As noted above, OSHA does not have specific requirements for golf cars. However, the Agency expects employers to ensure their safe use in the workplace. To keep workers and pedestrians safe, consider the following best practices:

• Use proper driving and riding techniques:
  • Be aware of passenger limit and load capacity.
  • Start the golf car after everyone is seated.
  • Stay seated and hold on while the vehicle is moving.
  • Use hip restraints, hand holds, or other body restraint systems.
  • Keep hands, arms, legs, feet, and head inside the golf car at all times.
  • Make sure that a golf car is completely stopped before getting in or out.
  • Consider eye protection to prevent foreign objects from entering eyes.
  • Operate golf car from the driver’s side only.
• Observe speed limits:
  • Observe plant speed limits, and drive at a speed that allows a safe stop.
  • Maintain an acceptable distance between vehicles when traveling.
  • Drive slowly through turns and avoid sharp turns especially on inclines.
  • Drive straight and slow when traveling up and down inclined surfaces.
  • Drive slow and use caution when approaching pedestrians, turning, or passing through doorways.
  • Use extra caution on wet or icy surfaces, as well as on loose ground such as gravel.
• Take other safety precautions:
  • Make sure to stay in designated areas.
  • Be aware of others, and keep your eyes on the path of travel.
  • Slow down and sound horn at cross aisles and areas where vision is obstructed.
  • Look first to see what is behind the golf car before backing up.
  • Obey traffic laws if travel between buildings requires the use of roads.
  • Set parking brake to prevent movement when loading or unloading.
• Safely park vehicle:
  • Park in a flat area where the golf car will not prevent access to fire aisles, stairways, and fire equipment.
  • Put the golf car in neutral, shut power off, and set the parking brake when unattended.
• Conduct periodic maintenance checks. The following maintenance checks should be done periodically by authorized personnel to ensure safe vehicle operation:
  • Check tires for overall condition and make sure they are properly inflated.
  • Check steering mechanism to make sure the vehicle responds appropriately.
  • Check warning devices, governor, safety decals, and other devices designed for safety to ensure that they are in safe operating condition.
  • Check brakes to verify that they are working correctly.
• Provide other maintenance procedures. Maintenance procedures that can ensure the safe operation of a golf car could include:
  • Before working underneath a golf car, block the chassis.
  • Drain the fuel system and turn off all valves before disconnecting any part of the system. This should be done to prevent leakage or accumulation of flammable fuels. Repairs to fuel and ignition systems should be made in designated areas to eliminate fire hazards.
  • Recharge the car in a designated charging area and make sure to have fire protection equipment available, in case of emergency. Check fire and safety codes to ensure that ventilation meets the requirements.
  • Do not make repairs in Class I, II, and III locations.
  • Repairs to the electrical system must have the battery disconnected prior to such repairs.
  • Use the correct tools for the job and make sure they are properly insulated.
  • Drive golf car after each maintenance check or repair to make sure it is operating properly. Only qualified, trained personnel should complete this final safety check.
  • Keep track of all maintenance in a log book.
  • Refer to the manufacturer’s operation and service manuals for recommended maintenance and repair procedures.