Foreign Object Debris (FOD)
FOD refers to any object found in an inappropriate location that can potentially cause damage to aircraft or result in an injury. FOD can include objects such as pavement fragments, catering supplies, building materials, loose hardware, pieces of luggage, and even wildlife. FOD can be found anywhere airside including terminal and cargo aprons, taxiways and runways. It’s up to all of us to watch for, remove and report FOD.
Runway FOD has the greatest potential of causing damage. It has the potential to damage an aircraft during a phase of flight, which could lead to loss of life or aircraft, and increased maintenance and operating costs. Taxiway and apron FOD may seem less harmful but can still cause significant damage to the aircraft or transition onto the runway if not removed. We can keep FOD out of the airside with ongoing inspections of work areas and prompt removal.
Know your definitions
Foreign Object Debris (FOD): Any object, live or not, located in an inappropriate location at the airport that can injure airport or airline employees and damage aircraft.
Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Damage: Damage caused by a foreign object that either has a physical or financial impact on the item. It can also reduce the items safety and performance.
What should you do to prevent FOD:
- Avoid creating FOD in your daily work
- Pilots are required to notify the tower if they notice FOD
- Participate in a FOD walk
- Pick up and dispose of FOD in the appropriate sized bin located at each gate
Keeping the apron, runways and taxiways clear is everyone’s responsibility. If you work airside, remember these key points about FOD and keeping Toronto Pearson clean:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Medical masks/gloves worn at the airport could enter the airfield as FOD.
- Discard your medical masks/gloves in plastic lined garbage bins.
- Report medical masks/gloves located airside for proper removal and disposal.
Working safely with pallets/skids
- Keep an eye out for pallets/skids that are damaged or not maintained properly as pieces can break off and result in FOD.
- Do not stand empty pallets/skids on their ends airside as they can be blown around and result in damage to aircraft and/or injury to workers.
- Ensure proper disposal of pallets/skids.
FOD - Pick it up, don’t pass it up!
- All AVOP holders have a responsibility to remove or report FOD. When you spot FOD, stop and pick it up for disposal. If the item is contaminated or too big to handle safely, call the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) at 416-776-3055 to have someone dispatched to help.
- Check gate areas for FOD prior to every arrival and prior to every departure.
- There are bright yellow FOD bins under every bridge available for this use. Only place FOD in these, not waste from aircraft cabins, oil cans or fast food.
![FOD bin]()
- Drop anything too big for the FOD bins into the larger, blue garbage bins at the head of stand.
What goes in each bin?
Make sure you are using the correct bin when disposing of items.
- Garbage bins: regular waste including all food and drink containers or wrappers
- UPAK containers: large items such as palettes and large cardboard
- Arranged through your carrier/operator: all hazardous waste such as oil, skydrol containers and oil rags. Do not dispose of hazardous waste in other bins.
Learn more about Foreign Object Debris (FOD)!
Visit the safety stop to learn more FOD. Download the shift briefing.
Today’s activities and contest
FOD Walk is taking place from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, inclusive of lunch and an awards ceremony. Participants at the FOD walk will all be entered into the grand prize draw and will also participate in friendly competitions the day of for a chance to win gift cards. *Registration is now closed.
If you are unable to attend, enter today’s contest for a chance to win a grand prize by simply taking the FOD Awareness course and submit a screen shot of your completed learning to safety@gtaa.com.