Product Overview

Summary: This Golf Cart Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides clear, practical guidance for the safe operation, inspection and management of golf carts in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations control vehicle-related risks, protect workers and visitors, and demonstrate compliance with WHS obligations wherever golf carts are used for transport, maintenance or events.

Golf carts are now widely used beyond the fairway – in golf clubs, resorts, retirement villages, universities, industrial sites and event venues – but they remain a class of powered mobile plant with very real safety risks. This Golf Cart Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, step‑by‑step approach for pre‑use checks, safe driving practices, passenger management, loading and parking, tailored specifically to Australian WHS expectations. It addresses common incident scenarios such as rollovers on slopes, collisions with pedestrians, unauthorised use by guests or contractors, and battery charging hazards in sheds or plant rooms.

By implementing this SOP, organisations gain a consistent and defensible system of work for anyone who operates or manages golf carts. The document supports duty holders to identify and control hazards, define who is authorised to operate carts, and embed safety into daily routines, from morning inspections through to end‑of‑shift shutdown. It also assists with training and induction, providing clear instructions that can be used in toolbox talks, staff onboarding and contractor briefings. Ultimately, this SOP helps reduce injuries, property damage and complaints, while improving the professionalism and safety culture of the site.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of collisions, rollovers and passenger falls involving golf carts.
• Ensure only trained and authorised personnel operate golf carts in line with WHS duties.
• Standardise pre‑start inspections, operating rules and shutdown procedures across the site.
• Demonstrate due diligence and compliance with Australian WHS legislation and guidance on powered mobile plant.
• Minimise damage to turf, pathways, buildings and other assets through controlled and responsible cart use.

Who is this for?

• Golf Course Superintendents
• Club Managers and General Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Facilities and Grounds Supervisors
• Resort and Hotel Operations Managers
• Event and Venue Managers
• Maintenance and Groundskeeping Staff
• Security and Patrol Officers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Training and Induction Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle rollovers on slopes, uneven ground or soft turf
• Collisions with pedestrians, other vehicles, structures or course infrastructure
• Passengers falling from carts due to excessive speed, sharp turns or improper seating
• Unauthorised or unsafe use of carts by untrained staff, visitors or minors
• Loss of control due to mechanical failure, poor maintenance or overloaded carts
• Battery charging hazards including electric shock, fire, explosion and exposure to gases
• Manual handling injuries during loading/unloading of equipment onto carts
• Adverse weather conditions reducing visibility or traction (rain, fog, wet grass)
• Operating near water hazards, bunkers, embankments or retaining walls
• Noise and nuisance risks in residential or accommodation areas

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Golf Carts Covered
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Controls for Golf Cart Operations
• 5.0 Pre‑Start Inspection and Fault Reporting Procedure
• 6.0 Safe Operating Rules (Speed, Routes, Slopes and Terrain)
• 7.0 Passenger Management and Loading/Unloading Requirements
• 8.0 Parking, Securing and Key/Access Control
• 9.0 Battery Charging, Refuelling and Storage Safety
• 10.0 Maintenance, Cleaning and Tag‑Out of Defective Carts
• 11.0 Incident, Near‑Miss and Damage Reporting
• 12.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 13.0 Environmental and Community Considerations (Noise, Wildlife, Residents)
• 14.0 Emergency Procedures and Response (Collisions, Rollovers, Injuries)
• 15.0 Document Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory equivalents) – Powered mobile plant provisions
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice (for battery charging areas where applicable)
• AS 4024.1 Series: Safety of machinery (general principles relevant to plant safety management)
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules) – for safe installation of charging equipment
• AS/NZS 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use