The FOD Squad

He continues, "A lot of times our aircraft groomers aren't thought of as being part of ramp operations, and they can generate a lot of FOD, but they also have the ability, like any of us, to clean up the FOD. So we've put it in a position so that our groomers have the opportunity to find it, too."

"We've enjoyed really good support from our General Manager, Dan McCrudden," says Sniegowski. "He understands the importance and has really supported the program."

Sniegowski adds that the first week in December is the next Pride in Safety week and FOD is one of the key topics that GlobeGround is addressing. GlobeGround - O'Hare is kicking off an "Odd FOD" contest, which is more of a show-and-tell for the crew to bring in pieces of FOD found during the course of their day.

ORD FOD Committee's Efforts

John Schwartz, current Chairman of the O'Hare FOD Committee, is definitely a poster child for involvement on the subject of safety. Schwartz is President of Aerotec Inc., which offers engineering, consulting, and management of hangar, cargo, and baggage systems and also finds time to serve on the O'Hare Cargo Managers committee, Maintenance Managers committee, and the O'Hare Airside Safety Board.

The committee meets once a month and is made up of the following aviation sectors: ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association) has a representative, ground handling (GlobeGround), ORD Wildlife Management Department, Department of Aviation-Operations, all carriers, and food service groups. All parties are welcome who have an airside presence. The committee reviews and recommends FOD requirements for inclusion in the airport driving test and manual, as well as in construction contracts. Recommendations are made to promote awareness and control FOD to provide increased passenger and employee safety.

The committee meets to discuss global community FOD issues and methods of control. The City of Chicago Department of Aviation, in conjunction with the Mayor's office, is proactive in their support of the committee, being instrumental in acting upon the committee's recent request for FOD legislation.

The committee's goal is to provide programs, which create awareness at all levels of the various groups that access the airside area of the airport. Typical monthly meeting topics may include:

o Air Carrier employee programs.
o FOD Control in joint-use areas.
o Food service truck cleanliness.
o Problematic components or parts on airfield equipment, i.e. rollers, balls, casters, pins which become FOD.
o Handling methods that do not promote FOD.
o Ramp and general airport condition.

The committee also contributes a portion of their time to O'Hare Safety Award Day, which this year included safety vendors and equipment on display at the AMC building at the airport. The 2003 Safety Award Day will be in September. The committee and the carriers are supported by the Department of Aviation-Operations group and the Operations Department uses equipment recommended by the committee and carriers to provide immediate response to FOD issues as they occur around the airport. The equipment and staff is on call 24/7, providing inspectional services and support for any calls that arise for immediate cleanup service in all areas of the airport.