Airport Hazard Awareness, Prevention and LIFT
Online Learning
We will review:
- Hazard awareness
- Human Factors
- Personal protective equipment
- Pearson LIFT
- The Pearson Standard
- The Toronto Pearson
- Chapel
- Therapy dogs
Once you have reviewed the day’s learning material, test your knowledge of Risk Management, Hazard Awareness and LIFT with today’s quiz. Participants will be automatically entered into a prize draw for a chance to win great prizes. Terms and Conditions.
Hazard Awareness
An aviation hazard is defined as a condition or object with the potential to cause or contribute to an aircraft incident or accident. These are sources of potential harm to people, equipment or structures.
Examples of Aviation Hazards:
- FOD
- Wildlife
- Cutoffs
- Runway incursions
An occupational hazard is any condition, activity or situation that can potentially cause harm to employees’ health or safety. Under the Canadian Labour Code, hazards can include:
- Unsafe work conditions
- Improper use of equipment
- Unsafe work practices
Examples of occupational hazards:
- Chemical hazards such as exposure to harmful chemicals in the workplace.
- Biological hazards such as exposure to infectious bacteria or viruses.
- Ergonomic hazards such as poor workstation design or lifting techniques that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.
- Physical hazards such as noise, vibration, temperature extremes and radiation that can affect employee health.
Aviation security threats are acts, conditions, or entities that have the potential to compromise the safety and security of civil aviation by endangering aircraft, passengers, crew, airports, or aviation infrastructure.
Examples of Aviation Security Threats:
- Physical Attacks
- Violating use of doors
- Introduction of a weapon into the Sterile Area.
Reporting hazards/threats in the moment is everyone’s responsibility.
Human Factors
The Dirty Dozen refers to twelve common human factors that can contribute to errors and safety incidents in the workplace. These include lack of communication, complacency, lack of knowledge, distraction, fatigue, lack of teamwork, stress, pressure, lack of resources, lack of assertiveness, norms and personal problems. Understanding and addressing these factors is critical for promoting a culture of safety, reducing mistakes and improving overall operational performance.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Using your phone to talk or text, operating a GPS and eating or reading while behind the wheel are distractions that put you and others at risk. These distractions measurably increase your risk of being in a motor vehicle collision:
- Texting – 23 times more likely
- Reaching for something – 9 times more likely
- Talking on the phone – 5 times more likely
- Reading – 3 times more likely
- Dialing a handheld device – 3 times more likely
- Using a hands-free device – 1.3 times more likely
Anything that takes your full attention away from driving is a distraction:
- Visual or auditory distractions are things you see or hear that cause you to take your eyes or attention off the road.
- Physical distractions are things that cause you to take your hands off the wheel or your feet off the pedals.
- Psychological distractions are things you’re feeling or thinking about that take your mind off the task of driving.
You may never be able to remove all the distractions, but the most important thing is to keep your attention on the task of driving.
Avoid distracted driving at every stage:
Before driving:
- Ensure that you do your vehicle inspection prior to use to ensure that it is safe and fit for use and not at risk of depositing FOD on the airfield.
- Set up your car – Get comfortable and prepared for the drive by adjusting the temperature, seats, mirrors, etc., and turning off your phone.
- Keep it clean – Loose objects moving around in your car while you’re driving can be a distraction.
- Map it out – Plan your route and set up your GPS before you leave.
- Manage your time – Give yourself enough time to get where you need to go.
While driving:
- DO NOT use any handheld devices.
- Avoid multi-tasking so you can focus on the road.
- Drive only when you are well rested.
- Keep noise to a minimum.
- Follow the rules of the road and Airport Traffic Directives if driving airside.
- Have a positive attitude. E.g., show concern for others and don’t lose your temper.
- Use your lead vision, the practice of looking far ahead so you can see anything that may cause a problem, giving you more time to react safely to what comes.
Who is WSPS?
Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) protects the potential of Ontario’s businesses and employees by keeping every worker healthy and safe, every day. WSPS supports the belief that every worker’s life is essential and they exist to help Ontario’s agriculture, manufacturing and service workers stay safe from workplace-related harms and risks.
Personal Protective Equipment
With the change of season, let’s ensure we are all dressing for success with properly fitted and clean and visible personal protective equipment (PPE). Keep in mind:
- High-visibility vests and jackets keep us safe by helping make sure others can see us clearly in low light or unfavourable weather.
- Employees must wear CSA-approved footwear while working airside.
- Anti-slip footwear is also available or those working in the terminals.
- Airport employees get 10 percent off at Mark’s.
Read the airport PPE advisory for more information.
Following your company’s policies and procedures regarding all required PPE for your job type is essential for your safety. The Toronto Pearson Safety Program and Aviation Safety Officers have the right to enforce the use of vests and footwear while airside. Let’s all commit to wearing our PPE and looking out for each other. Stay safe and keep up the great work!
For additional tools and resources, participate with our programs through our:
- Safety Forums and Working Groups for leadership and union reps
- Safety Stop with shift briefs and campaign materials such as posters
What is Pearson LIFT?
LIFT stands for Long-term Investments in Facilities and Terminals. It’s Toronto Pearson’s infrastructure development plan, aimed at transforming Toronto Pearson into one of the most advanced, sustainable and passenger-friendly airports in the world. Spanning over a decade, LIFT is made up of three major programs designed to address immediate passenger growth demands while readying Canada’s largest airport for the future of air travel, including:
- Innovative design built for the digital age
- A world-class passenger and employee experience
- Advancing toward net-zero
How we will achieve this
1. Collaboration
a. Working together across teams, contractors, and stakeholders
b. Promoting open communication and shared responsibility
2. Care and Respect
a. Prioritizing the well-being of all workers and passengers
b. Creating a culture of mutual respect and psychological safety
3. Continuous Improvement
a. Learning from incidents and feedback
b. Adapting processes to meet evolving safety standards and best practices Respect the Cones When Driving Airside
Respect the Cones When Driving Airside
While construction on Pearson LIFT has not yet begun, during any construction season, airside drivers may encounter road closures, barricades and active construction zones throughout the airside environment. These areas will be clearly marked with cones, signage, lights or physical barriers.
It is strictly prohibited to drive through or enter these Work Area Protection (WAP) zones unless you have been given permission to do so.
You can work safely in the construction season, by:
Always respecting cones, barricades and warning signs Asking a supervisor or your designated AVOP trainer or Aviation Safety Officer when you’re unsure how to navigate these areas Immediately reporting a barricade that looks damaged or missing to airport operations
For more information on airside driving during construction closures, refer to Section 3.9.1 of the Airport Traffic Directives.
These safety measures ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day. Let’s keep our airport running smoothly and safely—one cone at a time.
The Pearson Standard
The Pearson Standard is our shared path toward achieving the highest standards of responsibility, performance, and quality that benefits passengers, employees, and employers alike. To build a world-class airport and make Toronto Pearson the chosen place to fly and work, we must work collectively and be accountable to each other.
Check out The Pearson Standard: Rules & Regulations, a comprehensive, easy-to access resource where airport operators’ obligations and rights are clearly described. The expectations set out in The Pearson Standard are essential for a world-class international airport.”
Pearson Chapel
Toronto Pearson Multifaith Chaplaincy has met the spiritual wellness needs of the Pearson Airport community since 1979. The Chapel spaces at each terminal are accessible pre-security to all passengers, employees and the public 24/7. Our dedicated team of Chaplains and volunteers provides crisis support, grief sharing, trauma care and many other resources as a viable extension of any Employee Assistance Program. The Chapel is a safe space.
Pearson’s Chaplains also promote safety by raising awareness of human trafficking across our domestic and international borders. They offer a wide range of services, including religious events, counselling, celebrations of life, and prayer supports to help Pearson employees celebrate special occasions and even navigate spiritual health challenges in their personal and family lives.
Toronto Pearson Therapy Dogs
Take a “paws” during your day and pet a Toronto Pearson therapy dog! Pearson’s volunteer therapy dog program introduces ambassador pups from St. John Ambulance into both terminals. These furry friends are highly trained therapy dogs ready to provide comfort and bring joy to weary travellers who are experiencing stress while waiting for their flight, or who may just want to get a few puppy kisses and cuddles in before taking off.
The therapy dogs along with their dedicated volunteer handlers walk both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 on a flexible, rotating basis.
Airport staff can enjoy the therapy dogs, too. Whether you are travelling through or working at the airport, they are guaranteed to make your day a little less “ruff”!
After you take today’s quiz, be sure to join us again tomorrow for another learning opportunity and chance to win a prize!