Sonoma State University

Powered Cart Safety Written Program

This program has been developed to establish a program whereby administrators and operators of small electrical or gasoline powered carts are provided with rules, regulations and training, to safely operate these vehicles.  

  1. PURPOSE
    1. Prevention of vehicle related accidents, injuries and property damage is a primary purpose of this program.

 

  1. SCOPE
    1. The Powered Cart Safety Program affects all who operate small vehicles for Sonoma State University business.  Department leadership is responsible for compliance with this program.  “Small Vehicles” include, but are not limited to: three or four wheeled electric or gas-powered golf carts, utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, small maintenance vehicles, dining/catering carts, escort shuttles or disabled transport carts.

 

  1. RESPONSIBILITIES
    1. Environmental Health & Safety
      1. Develop and administer the Powered Cart Safety Program.
      2. Coordinate the program with affected campus departments.
      3. Ensure departments are administering the elements of the program through periodic record audits.
      4. Annually review the program for possible revision.
      5. Provide refresher information to departments that operate powered carts.

 

  1. Departments Utilizing Powered Carts
    1. Must ensure all vehicle operators complete the CSU Powered Cart Safety Training prior to operating a powered cart.
    2. Ensure employees are trained in the operation of small carts prior to their use and every 3-years thereafter (Appendix D).
    3. Annually document the review of “Tenets for Safe Operation of Powered Carts” (Appendix A) with all powered cart operators.
    4. Monitor driving habits of employees.
    5. If multiple carts reside in a department, a numbering system shall be employed and coordinated with the Fleet Manager, to differentiate between vehicles.
    6. Follow the Facilities Management Motor Vehicle Program (Appendix B).
    7. Ensure carts are kept in safe operating condition and sent to the Facilities Auto Shop to be maintained annually (Appendix B).
    8. Immediately or within 24-hours of occurrence:
      1. Report all accidents using Standard Forms 270 and 274

 

  1. For accidents involving personal injury, property damage or significant vehicle damage, contact University Police Department to report and investigate.

 

  1. Drivers
    1. Maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record.  Driver’s license must be carried by drivers at all times.
    2. Follow California Vehicle Code.
    3. Take CSU Powered Cart Safety Training every 3-years.
    4. Abide by the Tenets for Safe Operation of Powered Carts.
    5. Report all accidents to your immediate Supervisor regardless of how small the accident may appear to be.
    6. Where a seatbelt(s) is provided in the cart, the driver is required to utilize them and responsible to ensure their passengers utilize them as well.
    7. Carts shall be parked and/or operated in such a manner that they do not block or interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic flow on roadways, ramps or sidewalks.  Carts SHALL NOT park:
      1. In fire lanes
      2. In disabled parking spaces (unless proper placard is displayed)
      3. In ADA designated pathways
      4. In any manner that would block the flow of pedestrian traffic
      5. On sidewalks, ramps or in front/next to fire doors or exits
      6. Carts shall not block or impede the ability for pedestrians to enter or exit a building
    8. Carts, except those registered by the California Dept of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and possess valid license plates, shall only be operated within the confines of campus and must abide by the Cart Pathway Map (Appendix C).
    9. Drivers are responsible for ensuring the materials and equipment they carry on their cart is properly secured at all times.
    10. Each driver is responsible to provide timely notification of safety and maintenance concerns to their department supervisor.  The supervisor will arrange cart maintenance with the Facility Management Dept.

 

  1. Employee Relations
    1. Administers the Department of Motor Vehicles – Employer Pull Notice Program (EPN) to promote driver safety by monitoring the driving records of University employees who are required to drive on State business.

 

  1. Vendors/Third-Party Renters of University Facilities
    1. Must ensure that all vendors who bring their own Powered Carts on campus, or who operate University owned Carts; comply with the safe operation and tenets as set forth in the Powered Cart Safety Program.
    2. Must ensure the name of the vendor is prominently displayed on the Powered Cart.  If there are more than one Cart, a numbering system shall be employed to differentiate between the vehicles.
    3. Failure to comply with the tenets of safe cart operation may result in suspension of driving privileges on campus property.
    4. Campus Events Must notify Risk Management of all small vehicles brought to campus by vendors. 
  2. Facility Management – Auto Mechanic Shop
    1. Implement and maintain the execution of Executive Order 691 and the Motor Vehicle Program.
    2. Ensure maintenance is performed according to the frequency outlined in the Motor Vehicle Program.
    3. Work with Departments to schedule preventative maintenance of their vehicles.

 

  1. VEHICLE SAFETY
    1. Cell Phone Use/Walkie Talkies
      1. This program includes California Vehicle Code 23123:
        1. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is utilized in that manner while driving.
        2. A violation of this section is punishable by law enforcement.
        3. Drivers are encouraged to stop their vehicle in a safe location and park if they need to utilize their phone or walkie talkie.

 

  1. Headphones/Headsets and Earbuds/Earphones
    1. California Vehicle Code 27400:
      1. Persons cannot wear headsets and/or earplugs while operating a vehicle if they cover, rest on, or are inserted into both ears.

 

  1. Complaints Relative to Unsafe Operation
    1. The allegation of the unsafe operation will be forwarded to the department that controls the cart.
    2. The department will maintain a record of all complaints filed.
    3. All complaints must be formally investigated, documented and reviewed by the department that controls the cart or vehicle.

 

  1. Use of privately-owned carts on Sonoma State University property
    1. The use of any privately-owned powered cart, as defined in the Scope of this document, is prohibited from use on Sonoma State University property, except as described in Section 3(e).

 

 

  1. REVISION HISTORY

Revision

Date

By

Description of Revision

0

4/2020

RL

Program written to establish a Powered Cart Safety Program and Responsibilities

 

 

 

 

 

Appendices:

A – Tenets for Safe Operation of Powered Carts

B – Facilities Management Motor Vehicle Program

C – Cart Pathway Map

D – Vehicle Operator Training Record