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Golf Safety UK provides editable health and safety documentation designed specifically for golf clubs, driving ranges, and golf course maintenance operations across the UK.
Golf Safety offers over 300 editable Word templates designed to help golf clubs manage a wide range of health and safety requirements, including:
- Golf course and clubhouse Risk Assessments
- COSHH Assessments for chemicals, fertilisers and other hazardous substances
- Machinery and equipment policies and procedures
- Golf buggy and vehicle safety procedures
- Toolbox talks and training templates
The full range covers many other areas of golf club health and safety, allowing clubs to select and adapt the documents relevant to their activities and risks.
Golf Safety documents are based on relevant UK health and safety legislation and HSE guidance, including:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
- Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
Other legislation and guidance may also apply depending on the activities, equipment, substances and facilities at the golf club. This may include requirements relating to fire safety, work at height, personal protective equipment, lifting equipment, pesticides, workplace transport and other specific risks.
Yes. The templates can be used internationally as a starting point for managing health and safety, but they are primarily based on UK health and safety legislation and HSE guidance.
When using the documents outside the UK, you should review and adapt them to reflect the relevant local laws, regulations, terminology and health and safety requirements. Additional or different controls may also be required depending on the country and the activities being carried out.
Yes. Whether you manage a private club, municipal course, or driving range, our templates can be tailored to suit your size, staffing, and operational structure.
Yes. Golf clubs should assess the health and safety risks associated with their activities and areas of work, including the golf course, maintenance areas, clubhouse, kitchen, driving range and other facilities where relevant. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments covering risks to employees and others who may be affected by their work.
The number and type of Risk Assessments needed will depend on the activities, hazards and arrangements at your golf club. Our templates can help you complete and record assessments for a range of common golf club activities and risks.
Click here to view our ‘Golf Course Risk Assessment’
Golf clubs should review their health and safety documents regularly to ensure they remain suitable and up to date. There is no general legal requirement to review all safety documents every year, but an annual review can be a useful way of checking that arrangements remain appropriate.
Risk Assessments must be reviewed if there is reason to suspect they are no longer valid or if there has been a significant change in the matters to which they relate. This could include changes to equipment, processes, working practices or other circumstances that may affect health and safety.
Safety documents should also be reviewed following accidents, near misses or other safety concerns where these indicate that existing arrangements may no longer be effective.
Yes. A Fire Risk Assessment is a legal requirement for golf clubhouses and other premises covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out and regularly reviewed.
A golf clubhouse Fire Risk Assessment should identify potential fire hazards, people at risk and the fire safety measures required to help protect staff, members, visitors and contractors.
In a golf clubhouse environment, this may include areas such as:
- Bars and restaurant facilities
- Kitchens and cooking equipment
- Electrical systems and plant rooms
- Function rooms and event spaces
- Storage areas and cleaning cupboards
- Golf buggy charging areas
- Workshops or maintenance areas
- Escape routes, fire doors and emergency lighting
The assessment should also consider fire detection systems, firefighting equipment, staff training, evacuation procedures and the safe management of occupancy levels during events or busy periods.
Where dangerous substances are present, the Fire Risk Assessment must also consider the specific risks associated with them.
Fire Risk Assessments must be reviewed regularly to keep them up to date, particularly where there is reason to suspect the assessment is no longer valid or where there has been a significant change to the premises, layout, equipment, activities or working arrangements.
The Fire Risk Assessment must also be recorded in full, including its findings and the measures that have been or will be taken. This requirement applies regardless of the number of people employed.
e Risk Assessment’ carried out? Click here for more information
Yes, where golf clubs use substances that are hazardous to health and workers may be exposed to them, a suitable and sufficient COSHH Assessment may be required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). This can include substances used in greenkeeping, maintenance, workshops and clubhouse facilities.
On golf courses, COSHH may apply to substances such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, fuels, oils, cleaning chemicals and other hazardous products, depending on their properties and how they are used.
A COSHH Assessment should consider:
- What hazardous substances are being used
- Who could be exposed and how
- The risks to health from exposure
- How exposure can be prevented or adequately controlled
- What PPE, training or other precautions may be required
- Emergency arrangements for spills or accidental exposure
Risks can include skin contact, inhalation and accidental mixing of incompatible chemicals. Golf clubs should also follow the instructions and precautions provided on product labels and Safety Data Sheets, and ensure hazardous substances are stored and handled safely.
COSHH Assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe they are no longer valid or there is a significant change in the work, substances or exposure risks.
You can view the full range of our ‘COSHH Assessments’ here
Yes. Golf buggies should be regularly inspected and maintained to help ensure they remain safe to use and reduce the risk of accidents, breakdowns or injuries. Where golf buggies are used as work equipment, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) may also apply, including requirements relating to maintenance and inspection.
Regular checks can help identify issues such as:
- Faulty brakes or steering
- Damaged tyres or wheels
- Battery or charging defects
- Lighting or warning system faults
- Fluid leaks or mechanical wear
- Damage to seats, roofs or other safety features
Golf clubs should have procedures for reporting defects, removing unsafe buggies from use and carrying out planned servicing in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Where inspection is required under PUWER, the frequency and extent should reflect the risks, conditions of use and likelihood of deterioration.
Additional safety considerations may include route management, speed control, weather conditions, signage and safe use around slopes, paths and pedestrian areas.
Keeping appropriate maintenance and inspection records can help demonstrate that golf buggies are being managed safely as part of the club’s overall health and safety arrangements.
You can find our ‘Use of a Golf Buggy Risk Assessment’ here
Golf clubhouse staff should receive suitable health and safety information, instruction and training relevant to their roles, responsibilities and the risks present within the workplace. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide appropriate training to help staff work safely.
The type of training required will depend on the activities taking place within the clubhouse, but may commonly include:
- Fire safety and emergency procedures
- Manual handling
- Slip and trip awareness
- COSHH and cleaning chemical safety
- Food hygiene and allergen awareness where catering is provided
- Accident and incident reporting procedures
- PPE use where required
- Customer and visitor safety awareness
- First aid, where required by the club’s first-aid arrangements
Additional training may also be necessary for bar staff, kitchen staff, event staff or anyone using specific equipment or carrying out particular tasks within the clubhouse.
Training should be provided during induction where appropriate, when workers are exposed to new or increased risks, and when new equipment, processes or working practices are introduced. Refresher training should be provided when necessary to maintain competence.
Appropriate training can help staff understand the risks associated with their work and support safer day-to-day clubhouse operations.
Not always. However, golf clubs should assess whether individual holes present specific or increased risks that may require separate consideration within the overall golf course Risk Assessment.
Many golf clubs complete a general course-wide assessment covering common hazards across the site, but certain holes may need additional attention where there are higher-risk features or unique safety concerns.
This may include holes with:
- Public footpaths or nearby roads
- Blind tee shots or restricted visibility
- Water hazards or steep terrain
- Adjacent properties or neighbouring fairways
- High pedestrian traffic areas
- Increased risk of injury from golf balls
Where significant risks exist, clubs may need specific control measures such as warning signage, protective netting, designated crossing points or local rules to help reduce the likelihood of accidents or injury.
Risk Assessments should be reviewed regularly and updated if the course layout, usage or surrounding environment changes.
Click here to view our ‘Golf Course Risk Assessment’
Not necessarily. If your golf club employs five or more people, you are legally required to have a written Health and Safety Policy and bring the policy, and any revisions to it, to the attention of all employees.
Displaying the policy in an office, staff room or other accessible workplace area is a practical way of making it available to staff, but there is no general legal requirement to display the policy itself. The important requirement is that employees are made aware of the policy and its arrangements.
In golf club environments, the policy may be made available through management offices, greenkeeping facilities, workshops, staff noticeboards or electronically, depending on the size and layout of the premises.
The policy should be reviewed and revised as often as appropriate to ensure it remains relevant. Employees should also be informed of important changes to the policy and arrangements that affect them.
You can view the full range of our ‘Health and Safety Policies’ here
The PPE required for greenkeepers will depend on the tasks being carried out and the risks identified within the golf course environment. Employers should provide suitable PPE where workers may be exposed to risks that cannot be adequately controlled by other means. PPE should be suitable for the task, correctly fitted and properly maintained.
Greenkeepers may require PPE for activities such as grounds maintenance, machinery operation, chemical handling and workshop tasks.
Examples of PPE used by greenkeepers can include:
- Safety footwear for uneven ground, machinery use and outdoor working
- Hearing protection where noise risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means
- Eye or face protection during cutting, strimming or chemical application
- Suitable gloves for handling tools, chemicals, fuels or maintenance materials
- High-visibility clothing where required when working near vehicles or in areas with vehicle movements
- Weather-protective clothing where required for outdoor working
- Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) where required by the risk assessment or COSHH assessment, including when working with certain dusts, fumes or pesticides
Additional PPE may also be required depending on the equipment, chemicals, work environment or seasonal activities involved.
Where pesticides are used, PPE must be suitable for the particular product and method of application, and workers should follow the product label and other relevant instructions. Where tight-fitting RPE is required, suitable face-fit testing must be carried out.
PPE should be properly maintained and supported by appropriate information, instruction and training so that workers understand how to use it correctly and safely
You can view the full range of our ‘Greenkeeper Health and Safety Documents’ here
Greenkeeping staff should receive suitable health and safety information, instruction and training relevant to the equipment, machinery, chemicals and work activities involved in maintaining a golf course. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide appropriate training to help staff carry out their duties safely.
The type of training required will depend on the specific role and responsibilities of each employee, but may commonly include:
- 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. Anyone using a chainsaw at work must receive adequate training relevant to the type of work they undertake.
Training should be provided during induction where appropriate, when workers are exposed to new or increased risks, and when new equipment, processes or working practices are introduced. Refresher training should be provided when necessary to maintain competence.
Appropriate training helps staff understand the risks associated with their work and supports safer day-to-day golf course operations.
You can view the full range of our ‘Greenkeeper Health and Safety Documents’ here
Golf clubs should keep appropriate health and safety records to help demonstrate that risks are being managed and legal responsibilities are being met. The records required will depend on the club’s activities, risks, facilities, number of employees and the specific legal requirements that apply.
Common health and safety records for golf clubs may include:
- Risk Assessments
- Fire Risk Assessment and fire safety records
- COSHH Assessments and relevant Safety Data Sheets
- Accident and incident records
- RIDDOR records and reports where applicable
- Staff training and competency records
- Equipment inspection and maintenance records
- Golf buggy inspection and servicing records
- Fire alarm, emergency lighting and fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance records
- Contractor documentation and RAMS where applicable
- Machinery and vehicle maintenance records
- First-aid training and arrangements
- Emergency procedures, evacuation arrangements and fire drill records where appropriate
Additional records may also be needed for greenkeeping operations, workshops, pesticides, clubhouse kitchens, bars, events or driving ranges, depending on the club’s activities and risks.
Golf clubs should ensure records are kept up to date, stored securely and retained for the appropriate period. Accident and incident records can help identify trends and recurring hazards, while inspection, training and maintenance records can help demonstrate that appropriate safety arrangements are being implemented.
The full Fire Risk Assessment and fire safety arrangements must be recorded by the responsible person, regardless of the number of people employed.
Yes. Golf clubs should have suitable machinery inspection and maintenance procedures in place to help ensure work equipment remains safe to use and is properly maintained. Where PUWER 1998 applies, employers must ensure work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. Equipment exposed to conditions that could cause dangerous deterioration must also be inspected at suitable intervals and following exceptional circumstances that could affect its safety.
Machinery and equipment used in golf course maintenance may include:
- Ride-on mowers and cutting equipment
- Tractors and utility vehicles
- Strimmers and hand-held tools
- Golf buggies and maintenance vehicles
- Workshop equipment and lifting tools
- Irrigation or spraying equipment
Inspection procedures may include pre-use checks, planned inspections, servicing, defect reporting and maintenance records. The frequency and extent of inspections should reflect the type of equipment, how it is used and the conditions in which it operates. There is no single inspection interval that applies to all machinery.
Where an inspection identifies a defect that could make equipment unsafe, it should be taken out of use until the defect has been remedied.
Keeping appropriate inspection and maintenance records can help golf clubs demonstrate that work equipment is being properly managed and maintained.
Fuel used for golf course maintenance equipment and vehicles should be stored safely and securely to reduce the risk of fire, explosion, spills, environmental damage and accidental exposure.
Golf clubs should ensure fuel storage arrangements are suitable for the type and quantity of fuel being stored and that access is restricted to authorised people where appropriate. Where dangerous substances such as petrol or other flammable fuels are stored or used at work, the risks may need to be assessed under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).
Good fuel storage practices may include:
- Storing fuel in suitable containers or tanks designed for the fuel being stored
- Keeping fuel away from ignition sources and sources of heat
- Clearly labelling containers and storage areas
- Providing suitable spill response arrangements and spill kits where appropriate
- Providing adequate ventilation where required
- Regularly checking storage containers, tanks and associated equipment for leaks, damage or deterioration
- Keeping storage areas clean and free from unnecessary combustible materials
- Ensuring staff who handle fuel receive suitable information, instruction and training
Additional precautions may be required where larger quantities of fuel are stored, where petrol is dispensed on site, or where fuel storage is located near buildings, workshops, charging areas or other potential sources of ignition. Petrol storage may also be subject to specific requirements under petrol safety legislation.
Suitable Risk Assessments, including a DSEAR assessment where applicable, should consider the fuel being stored, quantities, storage arrangements, potential ignition sources and the people who could be affected.
Golf clubhouses should have suitable fire safety measures in place to help protect staff, members, visitors and contractors in the event of a fire. The specific measures required will depend on the size, layout and use of the clubhouse, the activities taking place and the risks identified by the Fire Risk Assessment.
Common fire safety measures may include:
- A suitable and up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment
- Clearly marked and unobstructed fire exits and escape routes
- Appropriate fire detection and alarm systems
- Emergency lighting where required
- Suitable fire-fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers
- Fire doors and compartmentation where required
- Staff fire safety information, instruction and training
- Emergency procedures and evacuation arrangements
- Regular testing, inspection and maintenance of fire safety equipment
- Appropriate fire safety signage and assembly arrangements
Additional precautions may be required in areas such as kitchens, bars, function rooms, workshops, storage rooms or golf buggy charging areas where particular fire hazards may be present.
Golf clubs should review their Fire Risk Assessment regularly and whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change to the premises, activities or fire safety arrangements. Emergency procedures should also be communicated clearly to staff and relevant personnel.
Yes. Golf clubs and driving range operators should assess the health and safety risks associated with their activities and facilities. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must carry out suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments covering risks to employees and to other people who may be affected by their activities.
In a driving range environment, this is particularly important due to the nature of the activity and the potential risks to staff, golfers, visitors and other people in or around the range.
A Risk Assessment for a driving range should consider hazards such as:
- Golf ball strike injuries to users, staff or bystanders
- Incorrect use of equipment or practice bays
- Poor lighting or visibility in hitting areas
- Slips, trips and falls around mats, walkways and surfaces
- Ball collection vehicle movements on the range
- Weather conditions affecting safety and play
- Netting, barriers or other protective measures where applicable
Control measures may include appropriate safety signage, bay supervision, physical barriers or netting, routine inspections, clear operating procedures, restricted access and staff training, depending on the risks identified.
Risk Assessments should be reviewed if there is reason to suspect they are no longer valid or if there is a significant change in the matters to which they relate, such as changes to the layout, equipment, activities or operating conditions.
Yes. Golf clubs and event organisers should assess the health and safety risks associated with organised golf events and competitions. Where the event forms part of an employer’s undertaking, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments covering risks to employees and other people who may be affected by the activities.
This is particularly important where an event changes normal course arrangements or involves increased numbers of players, spectators, staff or volunteers.
A Risk Assessment for a golf event should consider factors such as:
- Increased player and spectator numbers on the course
- Temporary layouts or course changes for the event
- Traffic management, including buggies and maintenance vehicles
- Weather conditions and emergency procedures
- Public access areas and crowd movement
- First aid provision and emergency response arrangements
- Any additional hazards created by temporary equipment, structures or event activities
Additional controls may include marshals, signage, restricted access areas, adjusted tee times, temporary barriers or changes to vehicle arrangements, depending on the scale and nature of the event.
Risk Assessments should be completed as part of the event planning process and reviewed if there is reason to suspect they are no longer valid or if there is a significant change to the arrangements, such as changes to the course, activities, numbers of people or operating conditions.
You can view the full range of our ‘Risk Assessments’ here
Golf clubhouse bars and restaurants can present a range of health and safety risks due to food preparation, alcohol service, customer activity and busy working environments.
Common risks include slips, trips and falls caused by spillages, wet floors or cluttered walkways, particularly during busy service periods or events. Kitchen areas can also introduce risks from hot surfaces, ovens, grills, boiling liquids, hot oil and sharp equipment such as knives.
Other key hazards may include manual handling injuries from moving stock such as kegs, crates and food deliveries, as well as exposure to cleaning chemicals and other substances used in kitchen and bar areas. Cellars may present additional risks, including poor lighting, restricted access and exposure to carbon dioxide where beer dispense systems or CO₂ cylinders are used. CO₂ can accumulate in poorly ventilated or low-level areas and present a serious health risk at high concentrations.
Gas appliances, cooking equipment, electrical equipment, poor ventilation and inadequate maintenance can also create additional risks in kitchens and food preparation areas.
Crowded environments during functions, tournaments or busy service periods can increase the potential for accidents, while poor housekeeping, inadequate training or ineffective procedures can contribute to incidents.
Effective Risk Assessments, suitable staff training, good housekeeping and appropriate maintenance are important for controlling these risks and helping to maintain a safe clubhouse environment.
Yes. If you employ or engage anyone under 18 at your golf club, you must consider the specific risks to young people as part of your Risk Assessment. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to make or review an assessment before employing a young person, taking particular account of their inexperience, lack of awareness of risks and maturity.
This can apply to young people working in areas such as the clubhouse, kitchen, bar, greenkeeping or administration, as well as those undertaking work experience or apprenticeships.
The assessment should consider factors such as:
- Their lack of experience, awareness of risks or maturity
- The layout and suitability of the workplace
- Exposure to physical, biological or chemical hazards
- The work equipment and machinery they may use
- The nature of the tasks and activities they will carry out
- The level of training and supervision they require
- Any particular risks associated with their age, capabilities or circumstances
In a golf club setting, this may be particularly important in areas such as kitchens, bars, greenkeeping operations and maintenance workshops where young people could be exposed to additional hazards.
Employers must ensure young workers receive suitable information, instruction, training and supervision. Young people must also be protected from work that is beyond their physical or psychological capacity or exposes them to prohibited or unacceptable risks. In some circumstances, work involving higher risks may be permitted for a young person who is no longer a child where it is necessary for training, they are supervised by a competent person and the risks are reduced so far as reasonably practicable.
The assessment should be reviewed if there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or if there is a significant change to the work, workplace or circumstances.
Click here for our ‘Young Person Risk Assessment’
Small golf clubs still have legal duties to manage health and safety, even if they employ only a limited number of staff or operate on a smaller scale. The level of documentation should be proportionate to the risks and activities of the club, but there are a number of important documents and records that may be required.
Depending on the club’s activities and circumstances, these may include:
- A written Health and Safety Policy where the club employs five or more people
- Suitable and sufficient Risk Assessments covering relevant activities and areas
- A Fire Risk Assessment and recorded fire safety arrangements
- COSHH Assessments for substances hazardous to health, where applicable
- Accident and incident records, including RIDDOR records where applicable
- Staff training and induction records
- Emergency procedures and arrangements for fire, medical incidents and evacuation
- Machinery and work equipment inspection and maintenance records where applicable
Depending on the facilities and activities, additional documents or records may also be needed, such as Manual Handling Assessments, pesticide and chemical records, golf buggy inspection records, contractor management arrangements, food safety documentation, and records relating to kitchens, bars, events or other specific activities.
Golf clubs should keep their health and safety documents and records appropriate to their activities, risks and legal duties, and review them when necessary to ensure they remain suitable and up to date.
View our collection of ‘Golf Health and Safety Documents’ here
The Golf Safety All Documents Package isn’t sent instantly like individual document purchases, as it takes additional time to compile and prepare. Once your payment has been processed, we aim to send the full package to the email address provided on your order within 1 business day via WeTransfer. This process can take up to 24 hours, but we aim to send your files within the same day. Once your package is ready, you’ll receive an email containing a secure download link via WeTransfer.
Read and learn more about our ‘All Documents Package’ here
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