May 1979 ourie OF ^uperintendentd N E W E N G L A N D , ~s$SAociation I N C . S p o n s o r s a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s o f the L a w r e n c e S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly to d e s e r v i n g Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students. A Preparation Checklist Dick Blake, an old friend of the New England Golf Course Superintendents Association and one of its elder statesmen, was prepared. Are you? Blake was involved in a tragedy at the Woodstock Country Club (Vt) in which a laborer was killed while mowing greens. As a result of that untimely accident, Blake was exposed to a thorough investigation because of his status as Woodstock superintendent. The investigative agency was OSHA. Blake would like to share his experiences with fellow superintendents and advise them to take note of the precautions to be followed. "First of all, my suggestion is to be cordial and cooperative as possible to OSHA representatives," Blake says. "I followed this line of reception to the investigation and found it highly beneficial throughout their stay which covered a total of four visits." In a situation where machinery is directly involved, OSHA looks for three particular things: 1. Were proper training procedures followed and was the employee in question afforded training opportunities to the full extent of their offering? 2. Was a manufacturer's defect in the machine connected in any way with the cause of the accident? 3. Were proper maintenance procedures followed and proper records of that maintenance kept? "Fortunately, I had complied with all of these requirements pertaining to my responsibilities," Blake tells. "The employee had been properly trained and I was able to produce proof of an extensive maintenance program on the machine in question. The manufacturer also cooperated fully, sending a representative to dismantle and aid in the study of the mower. As a result, the company was given a clean bill of health." Blake reports that OSHA interviewed the mechanic in charge of the maintenance work on the mower. "Again we were fortunate in this regard because of our approach to men and machines," Blake reveals. "Our head mechanic takes each new man and explains every phase of the operation of the machine. Included in his rhetoric is a complete knowledge of the mower and potential problem areas therein. Finally, he makes the point of telling the man what to do in case of component failure." OSHA also conducts a study of the particular machine and probes into the history of its performance. OSHA people are made aware of any breakdowns, etc. and what was done to correct them. In addition to the employees involved in the particular accident, OSHA also takes random note of the operation of the machine with other operators of it. Blake also discloses that OSHA double checks the procedures for learning the operation of the machine and measures to be taken in case of failure in regard to the individual involved in the accident. In this case, Blake went under a thorough question and answer period during which he was asked a myriad of questions pertaining to the training and advance briefing on touchy situations given to the accident victim. Even the OSHA investigation cannot be considered an end in itself. Blake was subjected to the same type of inquiry from representatives of the insurance company covering Woodstock and the sheriff's department which is the law enforcing agency in the area. At the conclusion of the triple-tiered investigative venture, OSHA called for a closing conference with the employer (Blake) some two or three weeks following its study. It was then that Blake was informed of OSHA's conclusion. In the Woodstock incident they found: 1. All training procedures, plus maintenance requirements were adequate and the employee qualified to use the machine. 2. No manufacturer's defect occurred. cont. on page 2 N HXT M E E T I N G MAY 14,1979 H A M D E N C . C. Host Bob Johnson Directors Meeting 10:00 A.M. Regular Meeting 11:00 A.M. Lunch 12:00 Noon Golf After Lunch Directions Mass Pike to Palmer Exit, t u r n right, follow 1 mile to P a l m e r Center. A t lights turn r i g h t on to Rte. 20, follow for 6 miles to North M a i n St. Follow for 6 miles. Road turns into W i l b r a h a m Rd. in Hamden.Course is on both sides of the road. (joif^ (Gourde Superintendents s4ddociation A Near-Perfect Projection The time was 1960, almost 20 years ago. Yet, Dr. Gene Nutter - speaking to a gathering of Northeastern golf course superintendents - had the future in remarkable accurate focus.. .a near-perfect projection, if you will. Dr. Nutter, in his role of executive director of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, made these interesting observations and deductions: 1. The golf car is here to stay and the superintendent must not only conform to its interminable life span but depend on his expertise to bring about an orderly and practical adjustment to it. 2. The superintendent must make public relations a part of his approach to better his image and consequently earn the respect of his employers and golfers he serves. 3. The superintendent must reach out for new educational opportunities. 4. The superintendent must expand his leadership in golf. Then as now, the complications of accepting the golf car as an integral part of the sport's existence and financial stability, were present. Among his suggestions, Dr. Nutter proposed to superintendents adoption of a program which would be of benefit to all. He advised the need for stringent rules in directing fleets of golf cars over turf. He told the superintendents to establish themselves as the sole (final) authority on the use of cars during periods of adverse weather or course conditions. He called for a persuasion of members to take into account the possible damage to be wrought by the cars and be aware that budgetary allowances for new maintenance problems would be necessary. And, finally, he pleaded with the superintendents to assume this new responsibility as part of a growth process within their profession. Needless to say, Dr. Nutter was prophetic in his views of the golf car. . .just short of the extent to declaring them a source of revenue which would eventually pass returns from clubhouse operation. In the field of public relations, he looked upon the superintendent of the future as a professional with the polished look of a manager and the glib tongue of a statesman. Although fulfillment of such a lofty station is still coming hard on a few fronts, it can be said that improvement has occurred. As for educational opportunities and the seeking of same, the superintendent - through the national Preparation Checkiist Univ. of Mass. Turf Field Day July 25, 1979 J u l y 26, 1979 (Rain date) Voted in at last meeting Orin Ellis cont. from page 1 3. The possibility of machine failure was obsolete. "It all meant that the OSHA people felt the accident was caused by operator error," Blake states. "But the experience is worth repeating for purposes of enlightening my colleagues on such an important matter." Hopefully, no one will have to avail himself of this material. However, it is presented in an educational vein, thanks to brother Blake. Gerry Finn PRESIDENT DEAN ROBERTSON 24 Riverview Drive Newbury, Mass. 01950 Home phone 462-4540 Office phone 745-7289 Club Affiliation