Powered Cart Safety Training

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Powered Cart Safety Training
Risk Management Safety
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Policy

• It is the policy of California State
  University, San Marcos to establish a program
  that provides the operator of electric or fuel
  powered carts with the following
• Adequate training so that the vehicle may be
  operated in a safe manner and
• A vehicle that is mechanically safe to
  operate on a university campus.

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Upon completion of this course you should be able
to identify

• The design and basic limitations of your powered
  cart.
• Safety rules and regulations that pertain to your
  powered cart.
• How to operate a powered cart in a safe manner.
• Inspections and maintenance requirements relevant
  to your powered cart.
• How powered cart accidents and safety violations
  are handled on campus.

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Purpose

• The purpose of this program is to provide the
  university community with a program that can be
  used to educate vehicle operators in the proper
  and safe driving practices for powered carts.
• This program will highlight minimum safety
  equipment standards for carts falling under the
  NHSTA, DOT, OSHA, CCR Title 8, and the CSUSM
  IIPP.
• This program also outlines the personal safety
  inspections required of all operators prior to
  driving an electrical or fuel powered cart on the
  campus.
• Reference California Vehicle Codes Sections 345,
  385.5, 2115, and 2115.1

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Scope

• All departments and their employees who operate
  powered carts on the California State University
  San Marcos campus, including student employees
  are required to complete the training. This
  program is available to auxiliary organizations
  to help promote safe driving habits for their
  powered carts.
• Currently, auxiliary organizations are not
  allowed to rent, use or lease University owned
  vehicles.

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You will not receive credit for completion of
this training if you have not

• Obtained a valid drivers license.
• Had your driving records reviewed by University
  Police under the Pull Notice Program.
• Completed a CSUSM sponsored Defensive Driving
  class with Risk Management and Safety
• Provided all proper documentation (copies of STD
  261, Valid Drivers License, current certificate
  of Insurance)
• Sent a copy of Completion of this Course to RMS

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Departments (Supervisors) - Responsibilities

• Direct all purchases and requests to purchase
  vehicles through the Director of Facility
  Services.
• Ensure that all vehicle operators complete the
  training prior to operating a powered cart.
• Annually review "Rules for Safe Operation of
  Powered Carts" with all powered cart operators.
• Ensure that your departments carts are routinely
  inspected and maintained. Contact CSUSMs Auto
  Shop 760-750-4607 for cart repair or maintenance.
  

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Departments (Supervisors) - Responsibilities
continued

• Ensure a cart needing maintenance is tagged Out
  of Service. DO NOT OPERATE until Facilities
  Services Vehicle Shop has inspected, and/or
  repaired the cart, and returns the cart to you in
  a safe operating condition.
• Immediately report any accidents or injury
  involving a cart, or theft of a cart to
  University Police 760-750-4567 or 911 on a campus
  phone in case of an emergency.
• Within 24 hours of occurrence report all
  accidents using Standard Forms 270 and 274
  (downloadable) http//www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/os
  p/pdf/std270.pdf http//www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/o
  sp/pdf/std274.pdf
• Monitor the driving habits of employees.

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Employees (Drivers) - Responsibilities

• Abide by all the rules and regulations specified
  in this program including
• Successfully complete the University Defensive
  Driver course.
• Successfully complete the initial and refresher
  Powered Cart Safety Program training.
• Obtain a valid drivers license.
• Immediately report any accident or injury (NO
  MATTER HOW MINOR THE ACCIDENT OR INJURY APPEARS)
  involving a cart to your immediate supervisor.
• Immediately report ALL cart maintenance problems
  to your immediate supervisor.

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Pre-Trip Safety Inspection

• Check all tires for proper air pressure - use air
  pressure gauge if you are unsure.
• Check all lights (if equipped).
• Check accelerator pedal for a smooth and
  non-binding motion.
• Test brakes for proper operation.
• If any of the tested items are not functioning
  properly, take the cart out of service until
  repairs are completed.

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GEM Cart Video

Note not the only brand we have on Campus
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Cart Basics (Hands on review)

• Lights, turn signal, and horn location.
• Emergency Brake location and operation.
• Accelerator and brake pedal operation.
• Forward-Reverse switch location and operation.

I wonder What this Does??
This activity will be set up and completed at a
later time wit Facility Services Automotive Team
.
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Rules of the Road

• Please refer to the dos and donts located at
  the end of the Powered Cart Program for Rules of
  the Road.

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered Carts

• The following operating rules apply to both
  electric and gasoline powered carts.
• Only drivers authorized by the university and
  trained in the safe operation of carts shall be
  permitted to operate such vehicles.
• All new cart operators must receive training
  before being allowed to operate a cart.
• Visually inspect cart for problems before use.
• Seatbelts must be worn by all vehicle occupants
  at all times if equipped. The maximum number of
  passengers is equal to the number of seatbelts in
  the vehicle. All passengers must be in a seat
  while the cart is moving - no exceptions. Drivers
  violating this safety rule will have their
  driving privileges suspended.
• Operators and passengers shall keep arms and legs
  inside the cart at all times and shall not jump
  on or off of moving vehicles.
• Operators will not use cell phones, radios, or
  other electronic devices while the vehicle is
  moving.

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered
Cartscontinued

• Cart operators should not use cell phones while
  driving.
• Carts shall be driven on campus streets whenever
  possible. If a sidewalk must be used, the vehicle
  speed should not exceed that of the pedestrian
  traffic.
• Carts should not block or limit pedestrian access
  on sidewalks.
• Carts shall not be driven though pedestrian
  crosswalks.
• Carts shall not be driven on lawns at any time.
• Carts shall not be driven off campus unless they
  have been registered with the California
  Department of Motor Vehicles.

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered
Cartscontinued

• Carts shall not be driven outside the boundaries
  of campus.
• Carts shall observe posted speed limits on all
  campus roadways. Carts shall not exceed 10 mph in
  parking lots.
• Operators shall be familiar with, and observe all
  established traffic laws. Citations will be
  issued for violations of traffic laws.
• Materials and equipment shall be properly secured
  so that they will not shift or fall off of moving
  carts.
• Carts shall not be operated at night without
  properly working head and tail lights.
  (Exception the propane powered cart does not
  have nor was equipped with tail lights)

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered
Cartscontinued

• Carts are particularly subject to tipping - be
  extremely cautious while making turns and while
  driving on uneven surfaces.
• Parking is prohibited in the following areas Red
  zones, disabled access spaces, and near building
  entrances and exits.
• If /when charging electrical carts, wind up power
  cord so it is out of operators way.
• A three pronged electrical cord should be used to
  charge electrical carts.
• Before releasing hand brake, make sure the key is
  turned to the full on position.
• Make sure the cart is engaged in the direction
  you intend to travel (i.e. forward/reverse).
• Make sure your foot is on the foot pedal brake
  prior to releasing hand brake.

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered
Cartscontinued

• Release the hand brake prior to using the
  accelerator pedal.
• If taillights or directional equipment has
  failed, use hand signals for stopping, turning
  left, and turning right.
• Be especially cautious when rounding blind
  corners and backing up.
• Obey Stop signs and be cautious at entrances to
  main streets.
• Drive with lights on at dusk, dawn, night, and
  heavy fog.
• Drive to the right side of the road so other
  vehicles may safely pass.
• Make left turns from roadways with caution and
  good judgment.
• Drive on cement/asphalt areas whenever possible.

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered
Cartscontinued

• Come to a complete stop before changing
  directions from forward to reverse.
• Remove the key(s) and set parking brake when away
  from the cart.
• Use extreme caution when operating carts on
  uneven or non-level surfaces.
• Drive slowly and cautiously at all times.
• Allow a safe distance between the cart and
  pedestrians when passing.
• Allow pedestrians the right-of-way.
• Cross the campus on designated streets.
• Report all accidents, injuries, or violations to
  University Police at x4567.
• Report all mechanical problems to the Facilities
  Services Vehicle Shop x4607.

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered
Cartscontinued

• DO NOT
• Leave your keys in the ignition.
• Allow yourself or passengers to hang feet, legs,
  or arms, out of the cart.
• Drive while using headphones, cell phones/radios
  etc..
• Drive with more than two people on front seat or
  anyone in the back of the cart without sitting in
  a seat meant for passengers.
• Cut corners. Cutting corners can lead to a roll
  over, it also damages property. (i.e. breaks
  sprinklers, ruins grass and shrubbery)
• Make abrupt directional changes.

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Rules for Safe Operation of Powered
Cartscontinued

• and DO NOT
• Drive with material loaded on the back of the
  cart without tightened down straps or appropriate
  netting, or other means of securing the load.
• Skid unless under emergency situations because
  this greatly strains brake components.
• Use the accelerator to hold the cart on an
  incline.
• Drive or park on grass, unless it is absolutely
  essential.
• Operate carts off of university property.
• Drive carts under the influence of alcohol.
• Park carts in areas that would obstruct fire
  exits from buildings.
• Play or rough house on carts.
• Yell or scream while operating a cart.

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What are the leading causes of bicyclist and
pedestrian related cart accidents?

• Speeding
• Failure to yield at a cross walk.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal,
  or prescription drugs.

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What are the leading causes of powered cart
operator injury?

• Quick turns.
• Inability to recognize changes in terrain.
  (e.g. dips, oil, water)
• Not wearing seatbelts.

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Reporting and follow up for powered cart
accidents and safety violations on campus.

• Please report all cart accidents and observed
  cart violations to University Police by calling
  760-750-4567 or 911 on a campus phone in case of
  an emergency.
• Provide University Police with The cart
  identification number, which can be found on
  either sides of the cart, the location of the
  accident/violation, the type of
  accident/violation, date, and approximate time
  the accident/violation was observed.
• University Police will relay violation
  information to the Department Supervisor that is
  responsible for that particular cart. A copy of
  the notice to the supervisor regarding the cart
  violation will be maintained in the Risk
  Management Safety Office.

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Reporting powered cart accidents and safety
violations continued

• The supervisor will investigate the referred cart
  violation and speak to both the driver and any
  witness(es) to look for the root cause of the
  violation.
• RMS will be notified by University Police in the
  case of an accident. A subsequent investigation
  may take place to identify root cause and assist
  in eliminating similar accidents from occurring
  in the future.
• Depending on the results of the investigation,
  the supervisor will take appropriate disciplinary
  actions. Any corrective action following a
  violation will be documented and notification
  sent to the Risk Management and Safety Office.

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Last but certainly not leastPowered Cart
Refresher Training is required when

• An employee has an accident involving a cart.
• An employee has received notice of a cart
  violation.
• Every four years per the Department of
  Governmental Services (DGS) State Administrative
  Manual (SAM).

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When you have completed this program contact your
supervisor and send an e-mail copied to your
supervisor (MPP) and the form from the Self
Administered/Paper training signed by you and
your supervisor and send a copy to RMS. Contact
Facility Services Automotive to arrange for an
orientation on the best operation practice and
maintenance overview. If you have questions
contact Risk Management and Safety at Ext. 4502.
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The keys to cart safety are in your hands!!!
Please Drive Safely!!!