Keeping Compliant

Part of the job of a superintendent is keeping up (somewhat) with the continuing changing laws and regs of the Feds and the State of California.  Believe me when I say they are always ever changing.  Over the past few years CA has changed numerous things we need to do to keep the golf course maintenance department running and open.  These included:

       1)  DOORS - Diesel Equipment Compliance
       2)  Underground Extraction Survey & Compliance
       3)  Emergency Business Plan
       4)  Cal OSHA & OSHA Updates & Compliance
       5)  HAZ MAT Training of Team & Compliance
       6)  Pesticide Training of Team & Supervisors
       7)  Fuel Dispensing Compliance
       8)  Waste Tire Disposal Compliance (new this year)
       9)  Universal Waste Compliance
     10)  Pesticide Handling, Reporting & Storage Compliance
     11)  Pressure Air Tank Compliance, and the list goes on and on.

By doing almost all of the compliance issues in house I have saved the Club tens of thousands of dollars compared to outsourcing the work being done.  Just one example is the Business Plan I just finished and submitting today which use to cost the Club $2,500 to complete ... now it is done in house.

Emergency Business Plan Ready to be Submitted

So if you ever wonder why sometime here at Avondale or at other golf courses why it seems you never see the superintendent, sometimes it is because they are working behind the scenes keeping the golf course operational by keeping in compliance with the ever changing laws.  Or if you ever wonder why they seem to always be in training somewhere ... it is because the only way to understanding the changing dynamics (without finding out the hard way meaning fines) is to keep current.  Remember, agencies such as OSHA keep in operation by fines not funding.