COSHH Compliance for Golf Club Greenkeepers

Greenkeepers work with an impressive range of hazardous substances every single day — pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilisers, fuel, lubricants and cleaning chemicals. Yet COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) is one of the most consistently under-documented areas of health and safety in UK golf clubs. This article explains what's required, what's commonly missed, and how to fix it.

What is COSHH and Why Does It Apply to Greenkeepers?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require employers to assess the health risks posed by any substance that could cause harm — and to take appropriate measures to prevent or adequately control exposure.

For greenkeeping teams, the range of substances involved is broad and includes some genuinely hazardous materials. Pesticides and professional herbicides carry significant health risks if handled incorrectly, including respiratory sensitisation, skin irritation, and in the case of some older compounds, more serious chronic effects.

What Substances Need COSHH Assessments?

Every substance with the potential to cause harm must be assessed. For a typical golf club greenkeeper's store, this will include:

Category	Examples	Key Hazards
Pesticides / Herbicides	Glyphosate, Trifloxystrobin, Propiconazole	Skin & eye irritation, inhalation risk
Fungicides	Chlorothalonil alternatives, Tebuconazole	Sensitisation, reproductive hazards (some)
Fertilisers	Nitrogen, potassium, iron compounds	Dust inhalation, skin irritation
Fuels & Lubricants	Diesel, petrol, hydraulic fluid, chain oil	Dermatitis, fire/explosion risk
Cleaning Chemicals	Degreasers, disinfectants, pressure washer tablets	Corrosive, irritant
Line Marking Products	Sand dyes, paint sprays	Inhalation risk, skin sensitisation

What Must a COSHH Assessment Include?

A compliant COSHH assessment must document the following for each substance:

1. Identification of the substance — product name, supplier, active ingredients
2. Nature and degree of exposure — who is exposed, how often, in what quantities
3. Health hazards — based on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and actual use conditions
4. Control measures — engineering controls, safe working procedures, PPE
5. PPE specification — type of gloves, respiratory protection, eye protection required
6. Emergency procedures — first aid steps if exposure occurs
7. Review date — assessments must be reviewed when substances or conditions change

Pesticide Regulations — An Additional Layer

Professional pesticide use on golf courses is also regulated under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and associated codes of practice. Greenkeepers applying pesticides professionally must hold a BASIS-registered certificate of competence — typically PA1 (foundation) and PA6 (pedestrian-applied) as a minimum, with PA2 added for tractor-mounted applications.

Pesticide application records must be maintained, including the product used, rate, area treated, weather conditions, and operator. These records must be kept for at least 3 years and must be available for inspection by the relevant authority (HSE, Environment Agency, or SEPA in Scotland).

Safe Storage of Substances

Storage of hazardous substances in the greenkeeper's shed is itself a significant compliance area. Requirements include:

• Pesticides stored in a dedicated, locked, bunded store separate from other substances
• Flammable liquids stored away from ignition sources in appropriate metal cabinets
• All containers clearly labelled — never decant into unlabelled containers
• Secondary containment (bunding) for liquid substances that could cause environmental harm
• Adequate ventilation in storage areas
• SDS sheets accessible at or near the storage point

Staff Training and Information

Under COSHH Regulation 12, employees must be provided with suitable and sufficient information, instruction and training about the substances they work with. This includes:

• The nature of the hazard and the health risks involved
• The control measures in place and how to use them
• How to use PPE correctly — and the limits of PPE
• Emergency procedures if exposure or spillage occurs

Training must be documented with signed records. A verbal briefing given years ago at induction is not sufficient.

How ALPS Consultancy Can Help

We carry out full greenkeeper COSHH assessments for golf clubs across Scotland — visiting your premises, reviewing every substance in your store, and producing a complete, legally compliant assessment pack for each one. We also provide the staff training and briefing records you need to demonstrate compliance.

For clubs that have never had a COSHH assessment carried out professionally, or that are working from outdated documents, this is typically a one-visit process that puts everything in order.