Greenkeeping staff should receive suitable health and safety training relevant to the equipment, machinery, chemicals and work activities involved in maintaining a golf course. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide appropriate information, instruction and training to help staff carry out their duties safely.
The type of training required will depend on the specific role and responsibilities of the employee, but commonly includes:
- Machinery and equipment safety
- Manual handling
- COSHH and chemical safety
- Pesticide handling and application where applicable
- Fire safety and emergency procedures
- PPE use and maintenance
- Working at height awareness
- Lone working procedures
- Vehicle and golf buggy safety
- Safe use of tools and workshop equipment
Additional training may also be needed for chainsaw use, tree work, irrigation systems or specialised maintenance machinery depending on the tasks carried out on site.
Training should be provided during induction, refreshed where appropriate and updated whenever new equipment, processes or risks are introduced. Proper training helps reduce accidents, improve safety awareness and support safer day-to-day golf course operations.
You can view the full range of our ‘Greenkeeper Health and Safety Documents’ here