Preventing FOD Incidents At Your Airport
Everyone working airside bears responsibility for eliminating FOD. However, each area within an airport operations environment has its own unique characteristics. New FOD Prevention Program managers must first identify all hazardous areas. In addition, they must become familiar with the activities of personnel working in those areas. Only then can they develop tactics to eliminate aviation FOD threats in each sector.
The stakes in aviation FOD prevention are enormous. According to industry estimates, FOD costs the global aviation industry approximately $13 billion annually. This figure includes direct aircraft damage, flight delays, fuel costs from engine inefficiency, and liability exposure. Beyond the financial impact, FOD threatens human lives — passengers, crew, and ground personnel alike. A single bolt on a runway can destroy a turbine engine. A loose piece of metal can puncture a tire during the critical moments of takeoff. The good news: most FOD incidents are entirely preventable with disciplined programs and the right resources.
This guide outlines nine essential elements of an effective airport FOD prevention program. Whether you manage a major international hub or a regional general aviation airport, these principles apply. Adapt them to your operation’s scale, and commit to continuous improvement.
1 – Management’s Strong and Visible Commitment
The success of any program requires demonstrated commitment from management. Specifically, this includes leaders representing air carriers and servicing companies. The following steps increase FOD hazard awareness among all staff and management:
- In particular, include FOD presentations as a key part of every new employee orientation.
- Photos and announcements of “Good Housekeeping Award” winners should be publicized on the intranet and in any other publications available at the facility.
- Post FOD Awareness Posters at all exit doors to the airside.
- “FOD Walks” should include management and staff from the airport, airlines, and servicing companies alike.
Your programs will gain authority if management “walks the talk” and sets a high standard for compliance.
Airports, military operations, and manufacturing facilities face similar challenges. The ramp operations of most FBOs (Fixed Base Operators) and major courier companies directly reflect corporate attitude toward a FOD-free environment.
Military bases generally have thorough anti-FOD programs. One major key to their success: senior officers take direct responsibility for oversight and ongoing results of the FOD Prevention Program. Consequently, this command support ensures the message filters down through the ranks. Junior officers and NCOs execute the day-to-day activities of the program.
An airport FOD prevention program needs the same solid top-down support. In particular, upper management must devote the necessary resources to operate the program effectively.
2 – Local FOD Committees
Unlike military bases, FBOs, and courier operations, airport management does not directly control each tenant organization. Therefore, an effective FOD Prevention committee is essential. It develops cooperation and drives implementation of FOD solutions.
For example, Chicago O’Hare has a FOD Handling and Trash Plan that was developed by their local FOD committee. The Plan set out goals and methods for controlling FOD and trash.
Moreover, an official website-based policy ensures that standards of performance and compliance are posted, understood, and readily accessible to all tenants. This method makes updating written standards easy as your program evolves.
Importantly, committee representatives should hold positions with the authority to carry the message and implement solutions. At smaller airports, a dedicated FOD committee may not be practical. In that case, assign responsibility to a related committee such as Ramp Safety.
3 – Housekeeping Performance Standards
Even with the best prevention program, FOD is an expected product of airport operations. FOD HAPPENS. Therefore, dedicate procedures and resources to regularly patrol operating areas. The goal: be absolutely sure that surfaces are FOD-free.
In most cases, airside maintenance crews handle this task. Regular sweeping can be effective, but hand-picking may be necessary as well. It’s simply a fact of aviation life. Train your new (and old) personnel to “Just get used to it, it’s part of the job.”
Towed magnetic sweepers work effectively. However, they can become a hazard without regular cleaning. Small all-terrain vehicles have been used with great success to patrol aprons and infield areas. They can easily pull a tow-behind sweeper while driving. Typically, airfield maintenance crews handle these tasks. At some airports, however, dedicated contractors patrol apron and gate areas.
FOD Containers: The Foundation of Your Program
Conveniently located containers are essential to your FOD prevention effort. After all, ramp personnel will not pick up FOD if they must walk long distances to deposit it. However, an overflowing container becomes a threat in itself. Prominently display a phone number for pickup on each container. When a call comes in, dispatch a contractor promptly to empty it.
The same principles apply to ramp garbage containers. Accordingly, size dumpsters correctly. Ensure they have easily closed lids and sit in convenient locations. Furthermore, the collection schedule must keep pace with the volume.
For example, place dedicated small-item containers as close to work areas as possible. For example, many airports mount a FOD container on each passenger loading bridge.
An abundance of FOD containers is vital. Likewise, train all airside personnel to use them for all debris. Maintain a frequent emptying schedule. Together, these elements form one of the most effective components of your FOD Prevention Program. The importance of this simple idea cannot be understated. Don’t permit it to go undone.
Prompt, cheerful attention to the maintenance and emptying of containers is one of the key signals that airside personnel use to assess management’s commitment to the FOD Prevention in Aviation Program.
The Disneyland Standard
Airports can learn from theme parks like Disneyland. These parks host thousands of visitors daily — yet their grounds remain immaculate.
How do they do it? Convenient containers and enough dedicated resources to ensure they never overflow. Resources are conveniently accessible to pick up anything loose.
In other words, a zero tolerance for FOD and sufficient resources to meet this goal!
4 – Training and Awareness
This may seem redundant. Nevertheless, getting the word out is essential. Done properly and continuously, this training becomes the keystone of your entire FOD Program. Make sure everyone gets the word! Then tell them again — at regularly scheduled training sessions. Orientation courses should include videos promoting FOD prevention. Specifically, show real examples of damage resulting from inadequate protection.
A FOD walk in progress — ground crews systematically inspect the tarmac for foreign object debris.
Keep the message coming, and keep it fresh. In addition, poster campaigns and email newsletters reinforce the message. Aviation industry magazines and websites publish FOD prevention articles with ideas you can adapt.
Events like FOD Walks and Spring Cleanups illustrate the importance of prevention. Furthermore, these activities give senior management a perfect opportunity to demonstrate ongoing commitment through their own spirited participation. Get face-to-face and work alongside your people. Similarly, recognition programs for personnel or organizations that contribute to FOD prevention reward good housekeeping practices.
Incentives That Work
Many incentives can motivate companies and their employees to participate. Use your imagination! Instead, create rewards that people actually find desirable. Don’t demean their efforts by offering trinkets. Get them on board with awards that are worth working for.
For instance, consider gift certificates to airport-area shops or restaurants. Ask several businesses to donate on a rotating basis. In return, give them free ongoing promotion around the airport. Congratulate them publicly for their support. Get their names out to your people and everyone wins. It’s good business for them and you.
5 – Selection and Maintenance of Ground Support and Airfield Maintenance Equipment
Above all, airfield maintenance equipment must be suitable for airport use. For example, runway sweepers that shed metal bristles can create a FOD problem instead of solving it.
Regular mechanical sweeping keeps runways and taxiways clear of dangerous debris.
Parking lot sweepers are generally not sturdy enough to stand up to apron cleaning. Other sweepers may fail to pick up stones and small bits of metal. Consequently, research before you purchase. You most often get what you pay for.
You cannot assume that because a sweeper looks like it’s running it’s doing a good job. It may create sound and fury while missing dangerous debris. In fact, substandard operating condition is not unusual for these machines.
Inspect, maintain, and evaluate every sweeper — and its operator — regularly. Establish a local flightline FOD assessment to ensure the job gets done right. A good rule is to stay simple whenever possible to reduce maintenance and operational complications. Friction mat sweepers like the FOD-Razor® offer a mechanically simple, low-maintenance alternative — no engines, no electronics, just reliable debris collection towed behind any vehicle.
6 – Airport Construction Projects
Virtually all airport construction projects create FOD risk.
Contracts must include FOD control as a condition of work. Additionally, a monitoring program must ensure these obligations are met.
In particular, pay special attention to material that wind can blow onto the airside. Also monitor debris that vehicles can carry from the job site onto operating surfaces.
Airport operators must be prepared to shut down an offending job site promptly. Work stops until satisfactory FOD control is in place.
The following requirements come from a contract for airside excavation and paving:
Special Conditions
- Do not place debris or dirt on runways, taxiways, aprons or aircraft maneuvering areas.
- Keep FAA-compliant equipment available on-site for cleanup when required.
- Within two hours of receiving notice, clean up and remove dirt and debris at no cost to the Airport Authority. Keep all sand, aggregates, soil, or other materials wetted, confined, covered, or contained. Prevent materials from blowing or washing onto runway and taxiway areas.
- Failure to comply will result in the Airport Authority arranging for Other Contractors to do the work and the costs shall be borne by the Contractor. All clean up must be completed within the designated airside work hours, and all equipment removed off airside by the end of the approved work period.
Site Cleanliness
- Site cleanliness is a matter of utmost importance. Loose debris and unprotected granular materials exposed to jet blast can enter aircraft engines. They can also damage tires. The result: costly repairs, flight delays, and compromised safety for the flying public, airline employees, and operations personnel.
- Contractors must maintain the site in immaculate condition. Do not allow waste to accumulate before cleanup. Likewise, contain all lunchroom waste to discourage birds and rodents. When work occurs immediately adjacent to aircraft operations areas, keep those adjacent areas absolutely clean at all times — during and after each shift. Before returning a closed work area to Operations, ensure it is clean, clear of all debris, and adequately protected.
- Protect all work at taxiway and apron edges by the end of each shift. Maintain protection at all times during the course of work.
Enforcement Provisions
In the event of any such act, omission, or thing or absence of such precaution by the Contractor is observed by the Consultant or the Airport Authority, the Consultant or the Airport Authority may immediately take or order such remedial action as it may deem necessary and for this purpose, it may stop the Work or any part thereof and may use the Airport Authority’s or the Contractor’s or any Subcontractor’s or any other Contractor’s employees to perform any remedial measures it may seem necessary. Notice of any work stoppage or remedial measures shall be provided to the Contractor. The cost of such work stoppage and of any such remedial measures, whether performed by the Airport Authority, Subcontractor’s or Other Contractor’s employees or by the Contractor or its employees shall be to the Contractor’s account.
The project’s consulting engineers and airport Operations Duty Managers monitor the Contractors actions and inspect work sites prior to returning an operating area to service. As a general rule your FOD Program’s actions checklist should include a construction site inspection procedure. This should cover the method and message for communicating any site cleanliness deficiencies that are discovered, and a “check back” scheduled to insure these have been remedied.
7 – Motivating Construction Crews to Understand FOD Threats
Visiting workers won’t respect the potential threats involved with their debris unless you educate them. Therefore, invest the time to show videos. Emphasize the need for constant attention to this problem. Carpentry and masonry crews, steelworkers, and others will be more willing to help once they understand. It may not be possible to “teach” everyone, but briefing supervisors and management should improve general participation in FOD Prevention.
Additionally, offsite construction projects can pose a threat. Monitor nearby activities. If a multistory building produces windblown paper or wood scraps, take steps to make them aware of your concern. If education/persuasion doesn’t do the job, you may decide to bring in the municipal authorities to support your position. An aircraft brought down by FOD — regardless of the source — still falls in the surrounding city.
8 – Monitoring and Inspection
In an imperfect world, some people fail to comply with FOD prevention principles. Consequently, operations must inspect continuously to capture any loose material. Offending persons or organizations can then be persuaded to change their ways.
On maneuvering surfaces, inspections should detect cracking or early signs of break-up. Repair potholes immediately when they appear. In keeping with the statement “you cannot manage what you cannot measure,” records must be kept of inspection results and any FOD damage.
Although it is impossible to measure accidents that did not happen because of a FOD Prevention Plan, measures such as a “FOD Survey” and pilot reports of FOD can be used to assess the effectiveness of the Prevention Program.
Record keeping can be incorporated in the normal airport “Log” or in a diary of events. The easiest approach: create a FOD incident category in the airport database system. Subsequently, reports can compare year-over-year results of your FOD prevention efforts.
From there, identify trends and repeat offenders. Use strategies like fines, persuasion, and public accountability to remove continuing hazards. Treat non-responsive offenders as a serious threat to your operation.
Need help building your airport FOD prevention program? Contact us today.
9 – Seasonal Consideration
In northern latitudes, winter months bring added hazards. Specifically, snowplowing creates rows of ice and snow along taxiway and runway edges. Low-slung jet engines can ingest this material. Furthermore, propellers face damage if aircraft taxi through drifts. Winter plowing plans must push windrows far enough back from taxiways and runways to eliminate the hazard. Finally, airside managers must inspect surfaces before opening them to operation.
Building an effective FOD prevention program requires commitment, resources, and continuous vigilance. Every airport — from the busiest international hub to the smallest regional field — benefits from a structured approach to debris control. Start with management commitment, build your committee, establish standards, and equip your teams with the right tools and training. The investment pays for itself many times over in reduced damage, fewer delays, and safer operations for everyone.
For more information on FOD prevention equipment and best practices, explore our guide to FOD or contact us for personalized guidance on your airport’s FOD prevention needs.