Golf/Utility Cart Operation Program Originally Endorsed on May 26, 2009 by the University Safety Committee Brooks Baker, Chair

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1 Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Originally Endrsed n May 26, 2009 by the University Safety Cmmittee Brks Baker, Chair 1) Intrductin Purpse & Scpe The effective date f this prgram is August 1, This prgram prvides guidelines fr the peratin f electric r gas-pwered carts, glf carts and similar type utility vehicles (hereafter carts ) n University f Alabama at Birmingham (hereafter UAB ) campus prperties, including traveling t/frm campus lcatins that may be separated by prperty wned by thers r require travel n public radways t reach the desired campus lcatin. This prgram establishes prper safety prcedures and practices, which will prmte safe peratins and prvide ur students, faculty, staff, and visitrs a safe envirnment. This prgram des nt apply t autmbiles r trucks that are licensed by the State f Alabama fr use n public rads. Thse vehicles and drivers shuld cmply with the guidelines established in the UAB Vehicle Safety Management Prgram, the Yu and UAB Handbk, and ther UAB prgrams and plicies. The UAB Vehicle Safety Management Prgram is available n the Office f Risk Management and Insurance website ( If yu are unsure which prgram applies, cntact the Office f Risk Management and Insurance. The purpse f this prgram is t define wh may perate a cart, the required training fr cart drivers, and when carts may be used, which includes, but may nt be limited t: Transprting persns with physical disabilities Transprting items lng distances that are t large/bulky t be carried by hand Transprting UAB guests Respnding t emergency situatins Prviding access t areas where a licensed vehicle may have difficulty navigating Aviding damage t sidewalks, landscaping r ther prperty that may ccur with traditinal licensed rad-use vehicles 2) General Guidelines All members f the UAB cmmunity, including faculty, students, staff, cntractrs and vendrs, and all carts used n campus are gverned by this prgram. This prgram des nt apply t cnstructin cntractrs using carts within the perimeter f a cnstructin site, but des apply at all ther times while traveling n the UAB campus. All cart drivers must meet the fllwing criteria befre perating a cart n UAB prperty: Pssess a valid U.S. driver s license and be at least 18 years f age. Have knwledge and cmply with all State f Alabama mtr vehicle laws and all applicable lcal laws related t the use f carts n public rads and sidewalks. Page 1 Last Updated: 08/10

2 Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Originally Endrsed n May 26, 2009 by the University Safety Cmmittee Brks Baker, Chair Additinally, drivers f carts wned, leased, rented, r brrwed by UAB are subject t the fllwing requirements: The driver must prvide authrizatin fr the Office f Risk Management and Insurance t btain a mtr vehicle reprt (MVR) prir t perating a cart. UAB s insurance cmpany will review the MVR f the individual and accept r reject the driver based n criteria established by the underwriter. Apprval t perate a cart is the same as fr any licensed vehicle. Apprved drivers shall immediately ntify their supervisrs if and when their driver s license is suspended r revked. Successfully cmplete a Cart Safety Training Prgram, which is available n the UAB Occupatinal Health and Safety website under the Educatin and Training tab, and btain a certificate f cmpletin frm BlazerNET. The certificate shuld be kept in the emplyee s training file. In additin t these guidelines, University Hspital Guest Services Department shuttle drivers must cmply with the Hspital Guest Services Internal Shuttle Plicy and Prcedure Standard, available at: Any failure t adhere t this prgram, including failing t fllw all mtr vehicle laws and safe driving practices, may result in apprpriate disciplinary actin r suspensin/revcatin f the cart driver s privileges. This includes cmmn safe practices and curteus peratins recgnizing that the carts will be perated where pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic is cmmn. D nt perate carts n sidewalks. In additin t being hazardus t pedestrians, Birmingham City Cde Sectin states that it is unlawful fr any persn t drive a mtrized device, except fr a mtrized wheelchair, n a City sidewalk. Operating carts n sidewalks may result in the revcatin f all driving privileges (cart and autmbile). Fr use n public rads, all carts acquired after the effective date f this prgram must meet the Natinal Highway Safety and Traffic Administratin (NHSTA) Standard 500 (49CFR Part ), which is applicable t lw-speed vehicles. The Standard may be reviewed at: Other State laws r lcal rdinances may apply t the use f glf carts and ther mtrized transprtatin devices. It is the respnsibility f the driver t knw, understand, and adhere t all applicable laws, rdinances, and rules. The cart driver and/r the driver s department are respnsible fr any fines, fees, r penalties arising ut f any vilatin f law, rdinance, plicy r prgram. All glf and utility carts used at UAB are subject t minimum safety equipment/design specificatins that include: N fewer than fur wheels tuching the grund/radway at all times. All equipment must be in gd wrking rder. The cart must be equipped with a Slw Mving Vehicle sign clearly visible frm the frnt and rear. The rear must have a reflective triangle, including trailers attached t a cart. If perated after dusk and befre dawn, headlights, taillights and brake lights (2 f each). A yellw r amber flashing light(s) visible frm 360 degrees shall perate while the vehicle is in mtin. Page 2 Last Updated: 08/10

3 Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Originally Endrsed n May 26, 2009 by the University Safety Cmmittee Brks Baker, Chair A hrn with an activatin buttn/switch within reach f the driver. The vehicle must have an ignitin/n-ff key t prevent unauthrized use. Parking-brake with adequate strength t hld the cart at least a 15-degree angle. An audible (at least 80 decibels at 10 feet) back-up alarm when placed in reverse. 3) Cart Registratin/Signage/Driver Apprval Equipment Accunting will maintain a list f all UAB wned r leased carts used n campus in accrdance with standard UAB asset accunting plicies. Each department is respnsible fr furnishing infrmatin t Equipment Accunting n the sale r transfer f any cart as it ccurs. Each department will be respnsible fr maintaining a list f persns authrized t perate the cart and ther recrds as required. The authrizatin/apprval prcess t drive a cart is the same as any ther UAB wned, leased r rented vehicle. The MVR Release and Request Frm is available n the Office f Risk Management and Insurance website ( 4) Cart Driver Rules Carts shall be perated with the utmst curtesy, care and cnsideratin fr the safety and cnvenience f ther vehicles and pedestrians. In cngested pedestrian areas, peratrs must either park r reduce speed and prceed at a pace cnsistent with that f pedestrians. Pedestrians shall be affrded the rightf-way at all times. Pedestrians as defined in this dcument refer t: persns walking, jgging, inline skating, skate barding, bicycling, r thse in wheelchairs r mbility assistance devices. Carts shall be perated in accrdance with the fllwing specific rules: All ccupants in the vehicle shall keep hands, arms, legs and feet within the cnfines f the cart while it is in mtin. Drivers shall stp carts at all blind intersectins and sund their hrns befre cautiusly prceeding. Special care shall be taken while driving carts thrugh parking lts t bserve traffic and vehicles pulling in/ut f parking spaces. Carts shuld be perated at speeds f less than 10 miles per hur in parking lts. Carts shuld perate and park nly n hard surfaces unless the cart is specifically designed fr and used fr grunds maintenance, bulk transprt, r persnal assistance. Drivers may nt wear headphnes, use cell phnes r use/perate any ther device that may cause a distractin. Carts shall nt be mdified in any manner that affects the recmmended mde f peratin, speed, r safety f the vehicle. Never exceed the maximum lad capacity recmmended by the manufacturer, either by number f ccupants r weight f the passengers and lad. Page 3 Last Updated: 08/10

4 Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Originally Endrsed n May 26, 2009 by the University Safety Cmmittee Brks Baker, Chair Emplyees shall nt perate carts registered t ther departments unless apprval has been granted by the supervisr r the department t which the cart is wned. Drivers f carts that are nt equipped with turn indicatrs shall use apprpriate hand signals. All accidents invlving carts shall be reprted immediately t the supervisr f the department t which the cart is registered and a plice reprt shall be filed with UAB Plice at the time f the accident. Regardless f whether prperty r persnal injury ccurred, accidents shuld be reprted t the UAB Office f Risk Management and Insurance and t the UAB Occupatinal Health & Safety Department. Each driver shall be respnsible t prvide timely ntificatin f safety and maintenance cncerns t the supervisr f the department t which the cart is registered. The supervisr will cntact UAB Autmtive Services fr repairs. In the event a cart is decrated fr a special event, the decratins must be securely attached in a manner that will nt cause damage r bstruct the driver s visin in any directin. Carts shall nt be driven thrugh cvered walkways (breezeway) except under the fllwing circumstances: Emergencies, medical, plice r safety peratins, In rder t prvide maintenance service at a lcatin in a specific building t which equipment and supplies, but nt peple, are being transprted t the wrk site, and T prvide transprtatin fr individuals with disabilities. Carts shall be parked and/r perated in such manner that they d nt impede r interfere with nrmal pedestrian r vehicular traffic flw n radways, ramps r sidewalks. Unless lading r unlading carg r passengers, carts shall nt be parked within 20 feet f the entrance r exit f any building, except at lading dcks. At n time shuld a parked cart blck the ingress r egress t any building. Carts will nt be parked: In fire lanes, In metered parking spaces, In handicap parking spaces (unless prper permit is acquired), In reserved parking spaces (ther than thse spaces reserved fr carts), In any manner that wuld impede the nrmal flw f pedestrian traffic, and On sidewalks r ramps that wuld impede handicap accessibility. Carts shall nly be perated within the cnfines f campus r t reach a university facility that may be separated by public rads r prperty wned by thers. The cart batteries shuld never be used t jump-start ther vehicles, used t pwer ther devices, r remved fr any reasn ther than t perfrm maintenance r replacement by a persn trained and authrized t perfrm such wrk. Never attempt t check r add fluid/electrlyte t a battery. Page 4 Last Updated: 08/10

5 Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Originally Endrsed n May 26, 2009 by the University Safety Cmmittee Brks Baker, Chair 5) Repairs & Maintenance Unless prir authrizatin is granted by UAB Autmtive Services, all repairs and maintenance shall be perfrmed by UAB Autmtive Services. Chargers fr lw speed electric vehicles must be plugged directly int a grund fault interrupter receptacle. The use f extensin crds is frbidden. Every cart must be checked prir t use each day t cnfirm the prper peratin f critical equipment including: Lighting headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, flashing strbe light Brakes/Parking Brake Reflectr & Signage Steering Hrn Tire Inflatin Unless the manufacturer specifies a mre frequent preventative maintenance schedule, the cart shuld be taken t Autmtive Services fr a mre extensive check and t prvide rutine preventative maintenance every 6 mnths. In certain cases, carts used in mre extreme perating cnditins such as use in temperature extremes, perating in dusty/dirty areas, frequent starting /stpping r hauling lads that are near the manufacturer s maximum rating may need t be placed n mre frequent preventative maintenance rutines t mnitr wear and assure the cart receives adequate preventative maintenance. In the event a cart has critical equipment that is nt peratinal r is nt functining as intended, the cart shall be placed ut-f-service and the key kept by an authrized individual t prevent the use f the cart until repairs can be cmpleted. 6) Driver Training All cart drivers must cmplete the Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Training curse prir t perating a cart. Any persn currently perating a cart as f the effective date f the prgram will have 30 days t cmplete the required training. The nline training prgram is available n the OH&S website n the Educatin and Training tab. Each department shuld maintain prf that the cart driver has cmpleted the required training. Fr intermittent training r daily reminders, departments may utilize the Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Quick Reference that is available n the Office f Risk Management and Insurance website ( The Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Quick Reference is nt, hwever, a substitute fr the Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Training curse. 7) Strage & Battery Charging The strage f each cart will be the respnsibility f the department t which the unit is registered. Whenever pssible, the carts shuld be stred in an area t allw fr battery recharging and t shield the cart frm ful weather. Sme unauthrized persns may find the cart enticing fr a jy ride, and thus, a secured strage area and/r the use f a chain and padlck r steering wheel lck shuld be cnsidered. Page 5 Last Updated: 08/10

6 Glf/Utility Cart Operatin Prgram Originally Endrsed n May 26, 2009 by the University Safety Cmmittee Brks Baker, Chair Any cart that is parked in a legal parking space in a restricted UAB parking lt r parking deck must display an apprpriate parking permit. Parking permits are available thrugh UAB Parking and Transprtatin Services. Carts that are pwered by rechargeable batteries shall have dedicated charging statins with a grundfault electrical utlet designed and rated fr such use. The recharging utlets must be designed t be lcked when nt in use. Just as with the cart, the keys t the charging equipment shuld be cntrlled and nly prvided t persns authrized t perate a cart. In sme cases, a quick charge statin may be necessary t maintain battery pwer between rutine charging. In these situatins, the lcatin and installatin f the quick charge statin shall be in accrdance with the recmmendatins f the manufacturer and the lcatin may nt limit r restrict access t any building, sidewalk, walkway, r exit rute. If available, the carts shuld be rdered with sealed r gel batteries that d nt have caps t allw the fluid t be checked. The fluid in a battery is acidic and will result in an injury if it cmes in cntact with the skin r eyes. Inspectin f any battery that can have the fluid checked by remving the caps shall nly be dne by persnnel that are familiar with prper prcedure t check the fluid, and persnal prtective equipment such as eye/face prtectin and acid-resistant glves must be wrn. Page 6 Last Updated: 08/10