The recovery of last balls from the water hazards on a golf course is covered by health and safety legislation. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a specific booklet, ‘Health and Safety in Golf Course Management and Maintenance’ which includes guidance on this matter as well as general advice about the main risks found at golf courses.
The managers of the golf course have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees and that persons not in their employment are not exposed to risks to their health and safety. This includes other contractors working on or visiting the golf course as well as members of the public.
Although there is no specific section on the recovery of lost golf balls there should be a general risk assessment of any water hazard associated with the course. “This should have included risk control measures to prevent foreseeable incidents like drowning,” said Nigel Hammond, acting head of HSE’s Local Authority Unit.
If the recovery of lost golf balls requires the use of divers who are at work then the Diving at Work Regulations (1997) apply and an Approved Code of Practice for commercial diving projects inland/inshore gives further practical advice on how to comply with the regulations.
If the divers are not ‘at work’ then the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) still applies and a similar duty of care standard would be expected.
Health & Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk