Utility Vehicle/Golf Cart Safety Training Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Report

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Edmund Blake
5 years ago
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1 Utility Vehicle/Golf Cart Safety Training 2015 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Report The host county for Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is expected to provide training for all volunteers who operate Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles before, during and following the show. Specific details of the training expected are not provided by the insurance company or Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Inc. The major reason for the training is to minimize risk of injuries and property loss. The high cost of liability cost insurance is a related factor. This 2015 safety training consisted of a discussion and actual operation of the vehicles. The discussion focused on lists of safety check points for utility vehicles and golf carts, one list for each (page 2 and3). The lists are a part of this report. In the past some counties have used a video from a manufacturer (Deere) as their primary training. In 2015 the training locations did not accommodate showing the video except for one case when the training was conducted at a town hall. The other trainings took place at the show site and golf course. Each volunteer trained operated a vehicle with a trained passenger in the vehicle. Driving courses between 500 and 1000 feet were set up at each location. Golf carts and UTV s were available. Training was conducted at five different times starting about four weeks before show. In addition some individualized training was provided on an as needed basis. The training at the Town Hall was designed for personnel from law enforcement and emergency medical units. The number of volunteers trained was much more than expected, 357. The first day of training was overwhelming with more than 120 volunteers trained. We expected 50. All volunteers were expected to sign an agreement which provided an understanding the safe operation of the vehicles. The agreement included violations which could terminate the privilege of operating the vehicle for the show, page4. After the training business card size training certificates were provided, page 5. The plan was to have volunteers present the certificate when picking up the keys for a vehicle to use. This was particularly challenging because numerous volunteers did not have their certificate available when picking up the keys. In some cases, committee chairs were unable to distribute the completed certificates before the show. Some suggestions for future shows: 1. Have volunteers register for the safety training and prepare certificates before the training or during the training so the volunteers can take certificate with them at the completion. 2. Secure a training site where the video or other visual training methods and the vehicle operation training can be conducted. 3. Encourage the insurance company and/or WFTD INC to provide more details of the training expected. 4. Distribute the golf cart and UTV safety check lists during the training. 5. Obtain UTV safety video from dealer (Deere has provided free)

2 Utility Vehicle (Deere Gator type vehicles) Safety Bullet Points Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Training 1. Read all safety decals on the Utility Vehicle before operating the first time 2. Become familiar with all the controls on the Utility Vehicle 3. Observe passenger limits. Only two people should ride in a two passenger Utility Vehicle and four in a four-person Utility Vehicle. 4. No passengers allowed in the cargo area of the Utility Vehicle 5. Wear seat belts, all Utility Vehicles are equipped with Roll Over Protective Structures 6. Keep hands and feet within Utility Vehicle at all times 7. Remain seated at all times when driving the Utility Vehicle 8. Make sure passengers stay seated at all times when Utility Vehicle is operated 9. Ensure the Utility Vehicle is at a complete stop before getting in and out of Gator 10. Ensure the Utility Vehicle is at a complete stop before a passenger enters or exits. 11. Lock brake, place transmission in neutral and turn engine off before exiting the Utility Vehicle. 12. Remove the key if Utility Vehicle is going to be unattended 13. Avoid driving over muddy or wet surfaces if at all possible 14. Always turn to see behind the Utility Vehicle when going in reverse 15. Drive the Utility Vehicle straight up or straight down slopes (not diagonal) to avoid tipping 16. Avoid unnecessary traffic in tent city during show hours (exhibitors have complained) 17. Control speed at 4 miles per hour or less when traveling in tent city during show hours and when pedestrians are near. 18. Travel at speed safe for the terrain conditions when pedestrians are not nearby. 19. Yield to show visitors and exhibitors 20. Be courteous to visitors and exhibitors

3 Golf Cart Safety Bullet Points Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Training 1. Become familiar with all the controls on the cart 2. Observe passenger limits. Only two people should ride in a two passenger cart and four in a four-person cart.(passengers are not allowed stand on the back of a cart) 3. Wear seat belt if cart is equipped with roll over protective structure 4. Keep hands and feet within cart at all times 5. Remain seated at all times when driving the cart 6. Make sure passengers stay seated at all times when cart is operated 7. Ensure the cart is at a complete stop before getting in and out of cart 8. Ensure the cart is at a complete stop before a passenger enters or exits. 9. Lock brake and place transmission in neutral before exiting the cart. 10. Remove the key if cart is going to be unattended 11. Avoid driving over muddy or wet surfaces if at all possible 12. Always turn to see behind the cart when reversing 13. Never attempt to go in reverse down the hill 14. Drive the cart straight up or straight down slopes (not diagonal) to avoid tipping 15. Avoid unnecessary traffic in tent city during show hours (exhibitors have complained) 16. Control speed at 4 miles per hour or less when traveling in tent city during show hours and when pedestrians are near. 17. Travel at speed safe for the terrain conditions when pedestrians are not nearby. 18. Yield to show visitors and exhibitors 19. Be courteous to show visitors and exhibitors

VEHICLE OPERATORS AGREEMENT 2015 WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Please fill out your personal information, read the rules and regulations regarding the use and operation of UTV, Golf Carts and

4 VEHICLE OPERATORS AGREEMENT 2015 WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Please fill out your personal information, read the rules and regulations regarding the use and operation of UTV, Golf Carts and Tractors on the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days site. Last Name: First Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Cell Phone: Home Phone: Committee: Operators must be 18 years old and certified by attending a vehicle operators training meeting. When you check out a vehicle it is in your name. You are responsible for that vehicle. DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT APPROVED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE. If you are involved in an accident, contact the Sheriff s Department IMMEDIATELY. Do not leave the scene of the accident and please keep all persons involved at the site. All vehicle operators should have a 16 channel two-way radio to communicate with your committee and the command center. The command center will be your contact in case of an emergency. When you are finished with the vehicle, return it to the UTV/Golf Cart parking area adjacent to the Grounds trailer. The person who checked out the vehicle must return it. Return the key to the Grounds Office after returning the vehicle The key must be removed from the vehicle when it is parked. Operators may only carry passengers on the seats intended for such use and only up to the limits intended by the manufacturer. Vehicles must be operated in a safe and prudent manner not to exceed 10 mph. Slower speeds (4 mph) are necessary in crowded areas or on uneven terrain. Vehicles may not be operated in any tents during show hours. Vehicles are to be used for the purposes intended. Providing tours or sightseeing is not an intended purpose. Your Farm Tech Drivers Certificate must be presented and exchanged for a vehicle key when checking out a vehicle. You be asked leave your personal vehicle keys at the grounds office when you pickup a vehicle. PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY AT ALL TIMES. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE RULES OR UNSAFE OPERATING PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN LOSING YOUR OPERATING PREVILEGES Operator s Signature Date Golf Cart Utility Vehicle

5 2015 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days Dane County, August 25-27, 2015 UTV, Golf Cart and Tractor Safety Certificate Name: Phone: Committee:

Powered Cart Guidelines

Powered Cart Guidelines Purpose 1 Definitions 2 Eligible Drivers 3 Authorization to Operate 4 General Safety Rules for Cart Operation 5 Sample Safety Operating Rules Certification Form 6 Sample Pre-Operation