Aerodrome safety: BASL launches FOD awareness initiative

The management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the domestic wing of the Lagos Airport, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) has launched ‘Foreign Object Debris’ (FOD) awareness initiative at the terminal.

The initiative, according to the Acting Head of Business, Mr. Raphael Uchegbu, was a deliberate move to ward off potential dangers that FODs constitute to aerodrome operations.

Uchegbu, who stated that FODs contribute to the damage or potential damage to aircraft, ground equipment and endanger life, also maintained that FOD can be as simple as a nut, a piece of concrete, a piece of paper, a stone, a suitcase handle, a screwdriver or even passenger.

His words: “Throwaway items are inherently dangerous. In the working environment of an apron, they contribute to the damage or potential damage to aircraft, ground equipment and perhaps even endanger life. This initiative is in line with BASL’s determination to maintain top safety culture at MMA2 at all times – all for passengers’ comfort.”

Uchegbu noted that the terminal operator decided to take the bull by the horn to launch the initiative with special FOD bins which come in yellow colour for easy identification that separates them from other regular bins on the airside.

While speaking at the event, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Odunogo, Mohammed Tayid who was represented by the Assistant General Manager, Aerodrome Standards, Mrs. Chukwudumebi-Azeh Calista, enjoined all and sundry to do everything necessary to avoid airside hazards.

While maintaining that picking up of FOD is everybody’s responsibility and should not be left to airside staff as hazard could lead to loss of jobs, Chukwudumebi declared: “If you see any strange object at the airside you pick it up, ensure to clean up as you go.”

Equally,  BASL’s Head of Safety, Nafisat Adeniran advised participants on the best practices for Apron Safety and maintained that FOD at airports can cause damage running into millions of dollars for airlines, airports, and airport tenants.

“What we have done today is basically an FOD-prevention strategy which is not limited to training, facility inspection, maintenance, and proper coordination on how all affected parties can minimise potential FOD challenges and its effects at MMA2. We have plans to continue to train and sensitize our personnel on this critical aspect of terminal operation,” she added.

Participants cutting across airlines staff, apron/airside, AVSEC staff were trained on how to identify and pick FODs at the airside. They were conducted round the facility on what was tagged – FOD WALK – to identify and pick items after which they were variously categorised in line with required specifications.

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