Issue 009 | Spring Startup Safety for Turf Operations

*****

The first full mowing week of the season always feels the same.

Engines are running again. Crews are moving faster. The shop is suddenly full of machines that all need attention at once.

And when the pace jumps, so does the risk.

Early season isn’t dangerous because crews forget safety rules. It’s dangerous because systems haven’t fully restarted yet. Seasonal staff are learning equipment, machines are coming out of storage, and everyone’s trying to get the course in shape at the same time.

That’s when small shortcuts start to appear.

A reel adjustment while a mower’s still idling. A lift arm raised without a stand. A temporary extension cord that ends up staying plugged in all season.

Across maintenance facilities, one issue shows up more often than most people expect: electrical hazards. Frayed cords, overloaded outlets, and extension cords used as permanent wiring are common problems that develop slowly over time.

None of it starts as a major issue. Most of it begins as a quick fix that never gets revisited.

That’s why early season is the best time to reset a few simple systems that keep crews safe when the workload ramps up.

A few operational habits make a big difference:

• Shut machines down fully before adjustments. Key out, brake set, units lowered.
• Use jack stands every time a unit is raised. Not just when it’s convenient.
• Replace temporary electrical fixes immediately. Extension cords shouldn’t become infrastructure.
• Keep shop walkways clear. Clutter turns small slips into real injuries.

These aren’t complicated changes. But they work because they remove the pressure to rush.

The biggest trap many operations fall into is thinking safety depends on reminders. In reality, safety improves when the workflow makes the safe option the easiest option.

If adjusting a reel safely takes twice as long as doing it the quick way, eventually someone will take the shortcut.

The safest shops solve that problem by setting up their workspace and procedures so the right way becomes the normal way.

Early season will always be busy. That part never changes.

But the operations that avoid injuries usually have something in common: they restart their safety systems at the same time they restart their equipment.

Bottom line:
Early-season safety isn’t about reminders. It’s about rebuilding the systems that keep crews safe when the pace picks up.

— Kurt TeWinkel

A special THANK YOU goes out to Joe at Golf Safety for sharing some valuable insight and wisdom for this Issue of TurfOps Weekly.

_{👇 Share with your crew! 👇}

3 quick checks before the season ramps up

1. Shop Floor Check
Clear walkways, remove scrap parts, and make sure electrical panels and work areas are accessible.

2. Equipment Shutdown Rule
Before adjusting reels or inspecting machines:
Key out. Brake set. Units lowered.

3. PPE Ready to Go
Eye protection, hearing protection and gloves available when and where the work actually happens.

Small systems like these don’t slow operations down.
They prevent the injuries that do.

_{👆 Share with your crew! 👆}

One of the simplest ways to improve safety in a maintenance facility doesn’t involve new equipment or training programs.

It starts with cleaning the shop.

Over the winter, most shops slowly accumulate extra parts, scrap metal, broken components, and tools that never quite make it back to their proper place. By spring startup, that clutter can create tripping hazards, blocked walkways, and fire risks.

A practical solution many operations use is scheduling a half-day shop reset before the season ramps up.

Bring the crew in. Get a few dumpsters or scrap bins. Then focus on a few priorities:

• Remove broken or unused equipment parts
• Clear walkways and work areas
• Organize tool storage
• Dispose of old fluids or containers properly
• Create clear spaces around electrical panels and workbenches

The goal isn’t making the shop look perfect. It’s making sure hazards aren’t hiding in the clutter.

A clean workspace also speeds up repairs. When tools and parts are easy to find, mechanics spend less time searching and more time solving problems.

The result is simple: fewer hazards, faster work, and a shop that’s ready for the pace of the season.

We put together a deeper breakdown of the Half-Day Shop Reset you can use with your crew. Click here → half-day-shop-reset

When people talk about safety programs, they often focus on compliance.

But the operational impact of an injury is usually what hits an operation the hardest.

If a mechanic injures a hand during spring startup, the effects ripple through the entire maintenance operation. Equipment repairs slow down. Other staff pick up extra work. Machines that should’ve been serviced stay in rotation longer than planned.

Even a short absence during peak season can create weeks of disruption.

Safety professionals often notice something interesting when visiting golf maintenance facilities. The shops with the most organized safety systems also tend to be the most productive.

Crews know where tools belong. Equipment procedures are clear. People feel confident doing their work.

When safety systems are strong, work flows more smoothly.

And in turf operations where timing and staffing already run tight, avoiding even one preventable injury can make a noticeable difference in how the entire season runs.

Takeaway: Good safety systems don’t slow an operation down. They typically make it run smoother.

• Autonomous mowing is moving from pilot to practice. Boulder Canyon Golf Club is rolling out a multi-year transition to electric and autonomous mowing, including RTK-guided units from Kress. At the municipal level, Naperbrook Golf Course and Springbrook Golf Course are testing self-operating mowers on driving ranges, while FireFly Automatix continues to push proof-of-concept at tournament venues like the Black Desert Championship.

• Renovations are becoming operational upgrades. Projects at legacy venues like The Old Course at St Andrews are pairing architectural updates with infrastructure improvements ahead of major events, but the bigger shift is happening at facilities like Otter Creek Golf Course. Renovations there include robotic mowing and modern agronomy systems, signaling that course upgrades are increasingly tied to how the operation runs day to day.

• Water management is now a daily operational constraint. Industry data from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and United States Golf Association shows courses have reduced water use significantly over the past two decades, but regional pressure continues to build. In places like Arizona and California, restrictions are tightening, and situations like Kapalua Plantation Course going days without irrigation highlight how quickly water availability can impact play and planning.

“Safety culture” gets talked about a lot in the turf industry.

But culture usually isn’t the starting point. Workflow is.

If the safest way to complete a task takes significantly longer than the quick way, crews will eventually feel pressure to cut corners. Not because they don’t care about safety, but because the pace of the job pushes them there.

That’s why the best safety improvements often come from simple operational systems.

Standard operating procedures for equipment are a good example.

When startup checks, fluid inspections, cleaning procedures, and shutdown steps are clearly documented, everyone knows what the right process looks like. New staff learn faster. Experienced staff don’t have to rely on memory.

Clear systems reduce mistakes.

The same principle applies across the shop:

• tools stored in consistent locations
• jack stands always available
• electrical panels accessible and maintained
• clear procedures before starting equipment

None of these changes require major investments. But together they shape how the work gets done.

And over time, that’s what people start to call culture.

Bottom line:
Safety culture isn’t built with speeches. It’s built with better systems.

What’s one safety habit or system your crew follows that has prevented problems in the shop or on the course?

Hit reply and share it. We may feature a few responses in a future issue.

The 2026 Flagstick–Bloom Equipment Manager Employment Trends Study, led by Pat Jones and Tyler Bloom, is now open, focused specifically on the professionals who keep golf course equipment running. This survey aims to capture real insight into roles, working conditions, expectations, and how the position is evolving. If you’re an Equipment Manager, technician, or mechanic, your input will help shape a clearer understanding of the profession and highlight opportunities to strengthen and elevate it across the industry.