On Day 5 of Canadian Airports Safety Week (CASW), we will highlight the ways to reduce foreign object debris (FOD).
On-site activities
Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Walk
When: Friday September 19, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
What: This is a chance for us to stretch our legs and bring awareness to the dangers of FOD. In order to help us keep the airside tidy, groups of participants will collect FOD in different locations across the airport. Prizes will be awarded for the most FOD collected as well as to the individual who finds the golden egg! Make sure to bring your safety vest and safety boots as you will be walking on the apron.
How: To participate in the FOD walk, register here by September 12.
Online learning
On Day 5 of CASW, we will review:
- What is FOD
- How to reduce FOD
- Wildlife management
Once you have reviewed the day’s learning material, test your knowledge of FOD by taking today’s quiz.
Participants in today's quiz will be automatically entered into a prize draw for a chance to win one of our amazing prizes. Read the Terms and Conditions here.
What is FOD
Foreign Object Debris: Any object, live or not, located in an inappropriate location at the airport that can injure airport or airline employees and damage aircraft.
- 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.
- Download the shift briefing.
What is FOD Damage
FOD Damage is damage caused by a foreign object that either has a physical or financial impact on the item. It can also reduce the item’s safety and performance.
What should you do to prevent FOD:
- Avoid creating FOD in your daily work
- Pick up and dispose of FOD in the appropriately sized bin located at each gate
- Pilots are required to notify the tower if they notice FOD
- Participate in a FOD walk
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 before every arrival and departure.
- There are bright yellow FOD bins under every bridge or on the nearby terminal wall available for this use. Only place FOD in these, not waste from aircraft cabins, oil cans or fast-food containers/wrappers.
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 - located inside the terminal spaces
- UPAK containers: larger items and cabin waste. Do not dispose of pallets in these bins.
- Arranged through your carrier/operator: all hazardous waste such as oil, skydrol containers and oil rags. Do not dispose of hazardous waste in any other bins.
Proper Disposal of items on the Apron and around the Airfield
- Avoid bringing waste outside onto the apron. Place food and drink containers in designated bins.
- Put large items like carboard in a U-Pak container and secure the lid when closing!
- Wooden Pallets need to be coordinated through your carrier or operation for disposal through your cargo facility.
- Hazardous waste (i.e., oil, skydrol containers or oil rags) needs to be coordinated through your carrier or operation for disposal through your maintenance facility.
How Does the Falcon Team Prevent FOD?
FALCON teams promote aviation safety by reducing wildlife hazards and associated risks to aircraft and airport operations, both on and in the vicinity of the airport. The FALCON toolkit includes:
- Drones
- Falconry
- Pyrotechnics
- Dogs
- Avian radar
- Proactive trapping and relocation.
At Pearson, FALCON houses 23 birds of prey (1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Gyr Peregrine hybrid, 6 Gyr Saker hybrids, 1 Bald Eagle and 14 Harris Hawks).
How They Work
The wildlife team at Pearson conducts several wildlife surveys to better understand the species present on the airfield and how we can tailor our dispersion techniques to reduce risk to aircraft operations. Some studies include:
- A comprehensive wildlife survey of airside and groundside areas
- A study to understand which species are most likely to cross runways
- Stomach content analysis of birds that are struck by aircraft to understand what is attracting them to the airport.
Wildlife can be present in all areas of the airport. Wildlife Control Officers have their D license, which allows them to attend to bird strikes on the runway and disperse wildlife that may be present on the maneuvering area.
The current call sign for Wildlife Control Officers is “Birdman.”
Small gestures can have a big impact. Please maintain good housekeeping practices and ensure not to feed the wildlife as a routine part of day-to-day operations.
After you take today’s quiz be sure to join us again tomorrow for another learning opportunity and chance to win great prizes!