The B.C. Allied Golf Association has hired a lobbyist to approach both the government and WorfSafeBC as it relates to course operators having to install seat belts and roll bars on their golf carts.

WorkSafeBC conducted a review of mobile equipment safety which had the industry concerned about millions in extra costs to retrofit carts. Allied Golf Association of B.C. Representative Trevor Smith has been outspoken against golf carts requiring seatbelts or rollover bars. He says it would have caused a massive financial burden on operators. “Why are we really doing this? Is there a need for it? And based on those numbers, which what we needed to justify where we’re headed, we didn’t think there was because we could potentially be looking at upwards of $20-30 million.”

Smith says the 10 year data doesn’t justify changes. “134 claims in 10 years from 2009 to 2019. 47 of those involved golf carts which is about 4.7 per year, with one rollover in 10 years. No deaths were accounted for.”

He says one other part of this was when it comes to event like charity tournaments. Participants could technically be considered on the job and would therefore have to have a golf cart equipped with a seatbelt or rollover bar. It could lead to every cart needing to be fitted with the new gear.

An email from WorkSafeBC states “Golf carts used by the public would not require seatbelts, nor would other carts used by employees if the golf course does a risk assessment and finds that seat belts or other safety measures, such as rollover protection, are not necessary. For example, the beverage cart or a cart used by a course marshal wouldn’t need to be retrofitted if it’s not necessary. It is up to the golf course to decide this based on their assessment. They have a responsibility to ensure a safe workplace for their employees, just like any other employer.”

It is added though that WorkSafeBC is still reviewing the revisions and will be doing additional consultation.