NAOSH Week – Day 3

Our topic for day three of NAOSH Week is emergency preparedness and environmental awareness.

Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Awareness

On Day 3 of NAOSH Week, we will highlight the importance of staying prepared for different emergency situations and how to support a greener, safer airport.

Online Learning

We will review:

  • Facility control measures and evacuation plan

  • How to protect the environment while working at Pearson

  • Reducing idling

Once you have reviewed the day’s learning material, test your knowledge of Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Awareness with today’s quiz. Participants will be automatically entered into a prize draw for a chance to win great prizes. Terms and Conditions.

Emergency Preparedness

At Pearson, tens of thousands of people may be working or traveling through our buildings and terminals at any given time. Emergency planning and preparedness are critical to keeping our airport, passengers and employees safe from harm. During an emergency, it’s important to know how to efficiently and safely evacuate so that everyone can be safe. To understand the steps we can take to plan, organize and equip ourselves to be ready for an emergency, complete the Facility Control Measures and Evacuation Plan course.

Protecting the Environment at Pearson

Environmental practices are central to safe and efficient airport operations. From managing airfield chemical use to controlling stormwater runoff and reducing carbon emissions, every action we take contributes to a cleaner, safer future. We can protect our water, air and land by following regulations and best practices. 

  • Stormwater and water quality protection

  • Ensure proper containment of airfield hazardous materials and fuel

  • Prevent spills near storm drains and active runways

  • Air quality and emissions management

  • Limit idling of ground support equipment (GSE) and airside vehicles

  • Support the transition to electric GSE and low-emission fleets

  • Promote clean air initiatives and monitor airside emissions

  • Waste reduction in Terminal and Airside areas

  • Safely dispose of hazardous materials (batteries, oils, chemicals)

  • Promote proper sorting of waste, recycling, and compost

  • Reduce single-use items in staff areas and concessions

  • Climate resilience and carbon footprint reduction

  • Support Airport Carbon Accreditation goals

  • Engage in energy-saving practices in terminals and maintenance areas

  • Encourage sustainable commuting and ride-sharing for staff

Reduce idling to improve air quality

During peak winter, motorists idle for an average of about eight minutes daily. This amount of idling uses over 2.2 million litres of fuel and produces over five million kilograms of greenhouse gases. To cut down on idling, you can:

  • Start driving gently as modern engines warm up faster when in motion

  • Limit warm-up time to 1-2 minutes

  • Turn off the engine if waiting for more than 10 seconds

  • Dress warmly to reduce reliance on vehicle heating

  • Utilize block heaters to pre-warm engines without excessive idling

  • Consider driving a hybrid-electric vehicle

  • Minimize idling when around waiting passengers and workers

We all have a role to play in maintaining a greener, safer airport.

Extra Credit

Complete the Facility Control Measures and Evacuation Plan course, then send a screenshot of the completed course to safety@gtaa.com to be entered into our daily draw. Terms and Conditions.

After you take today’s quiz and complete the extra credit exercise, be sure to join us again tomorrow for another learning opportunity and chance to win a prize!


Toronto Pearson is equipped with an Airport Lightning Warning System (LWS) which provides alerts to the operational community when lightning strikes approach the airfield. When lightning is detected within an eight-kilometre alert zone, Airport Operations Control sends a notification to the airport operational community noting the presence of convective weather and to be alert to the likely activation of the strobe system. When the system goes into alert mode, strobes located on the terminal buildings and the rooflines of associated airport buildings visible from the apron will flash. 
In an active thunderstorm, the strobes are then active for 10 minutes in between strikes. Once there has not been a strike within 10 minutes, the strobes then turn off indicating there is no active storm within eight kilometres. Operations are then back to normal. Note: When the strobes activate, all airfield staff must follow their company procedures for lighting activity and established Occupational Health and Safety protocols. 
 
Airside Security: Non-Passenger Screening of Vehicles
With Non-Passenger Screening of Vehicles (NPS-V), all vehicle operators accessing the Critical Area are required to have their RAIC or temporary pass, AVOP checked, and the RAICs or temporary passes of all vehicle occupants verified by an access control guard which is the GTAA’s responsibility.
RAIC holder escorts
If you are a RAIC holder escorting a temporary pass holder, you are required to present the temporary pass holders for screening when entering the Critical Area (even if the green arow is shown).