Airside Safety
On Thursday, September 21, join us for our in-person Airport Safety Week Fair, that will include an Airside Rodeo and guided tour of the Apron Management Unit (AMU). We’ll have displays, trials and information about all aspects of a safe workplace, including:
- The GTAA Fire and Emergency Services team’s Heart Cart
- Falcon Environmental Services also known as Birdman
- I Am Toronto Pearson
- Mark’s Commercial
- PCL Construction
- Toronto Pearson Safety Team
Come out to see the displays get some fun giveaways! Please note: Registration for the Terminal 1 Apron tower tour is now full.
If you have an AVOP and PDL, register to be a contestant in the Airside Rodeo! Registration is limited to 20 people per challenge based on a first come, first served basis so don’t hesitate to sign up!
Join us:
- Thursday, September 21
- 1100-1300
- Terminal 1 Airside: Gate 101 -103 (Airside Rodeo) and inside: lounge D1/D3 (Safety Fair)
- For the Airside Rodeo, anyone is welcome to join and observe, however, if you are interested in participating as a contestant you must register in advance.
Airside Driving
Safe airside driving requires that drivers are aware of conditions and focused on safe behaviours. These include:
- Observing speed limits
- Don’t drive under jet bridges
- Give way to aircraft including aircraft under tow
- Ensure your vehicle comes to a full stop at stop signs and look all ways for potential crossing aircraft
Click it or Ticket! Remember to wear your seatbelts
A reminder to all Airport Employees that Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts while vehicles and equipment are in motion on the airside. This requirement is no different to driving on city streets outside of the apron or maneuvering area.
This requirement is enforceable under the AVOP Program Demerit Point System, and an infraction may be issued for non-compliance (3 points).
Be aware of your surroundings and try to refrain from distractions while driving. Make sure to report any equipment deficiencies or issues to your supervisor or manager.
Marshalls Matter!
Aircraft always have the right-of-way. Failing to yield right-of-way to an aircraft or aircraft tow crew may result in an aircraft cutoff.
The Failure to yield to aircraft or an aircraft’s marshalling crew is an AVOP Major Infraction and, depending on the circumstances, a violation of the Aeronautics Act.
Vehicle operators involved in an aircraft cut-off shall advise the Airport Operations Centre at 416-776-3055. In case of an emergency, please call 416-776-3033.
Signs of departing aircraft
The following are some indications that an aircraft is preparing to pushback from the gate:
- The bridge is retracted
- The chocks are removed
- A tug or towbarless tractor is attached to the aircraft
- Servicing equipment and aircraft utilities are moved away from the aircraft
- Aircraft doors and hatches are secured
- A marshaller may be in position
- A wingwalker(s) may be in position
- The aircraft engines may be running or started
- The aircraft anti-collision beacon(s) may be illuminated.
Note: When drivers see any pushback indicators, they shall comply with the following directives that govern vehicular movement in the vicinity of the departing aircraft:
- Yield right-of-way to the marshalling crew when the crew is marshalling the aircraft and when the are returning to the gate after the aircraft is released.
- Neither drive between a marshaller or wingwalker(S) and the aircraft nor proceed around, in front of, or behind the aircraft unless authorized by the wingwalker(s) or marshaller.
- Prior to pushback, proceed behind the aircraft only when the marshaller or wingwalker(s) signals permission to continue.
- Do not deviate from vehicle corridors to drive around an aircraft on pushback. Remain within the corridor until the ground crew and tug have cleared the apron side of the corridor.
Signs of Arriving Aircrafts:
The presence of the following at a gate indicates that an aircraft arrival is likely:
- A marshaller is in position
- A wingwalker(s) is in position
- Servicing equipment is stagged
- Equipment is cleared to enable a safe aircraft docking. (Visual Docking Guidance Systems (VDGS), may be activated.
Exercise caution while driving in the vicinity of any towed aircraft. A marshalling crew does not always accompany towed aircraft; a tow crew may turn the aircraft toward a gate without any warning.
Top 5 AVOP Infractions
- Unsafe movement of vehicle
- Failure to wear seatbelt
- Failure to yield right of way to aircraft/marshalling crew
- Unsafe reversing of vehicle
- Failure to comply with GTAA Airport Traffic Directives
Let’s work together to keep our airside safe.
Know your speed limits and drive according to the weather conditions.
Tread Carefully and Watch your Step
Watch your step! Prevent slip and falls at home and at work:
- Wear appropriate footwear
- Use safe walking practices
- Avoid distractions
- Take extra care on moving walkways and escalators – if you have excess baggage, strollers, etc. be sure to use an elevator
- Keep your workspace clear – watch for tripping hazards that can be caused by ground service equipment, chocks and cones
When exiting a vehicle:
- Look first before stepping out from the vehicle
- Maintain three-point contact when stepping out
- Use the vehicle for support
- Do not grab objects such as coffee mug, water bottles, etc., as you are exiting, exit the vehicle first then retrieve items
- Try to keep your centre of gravity over your support leg for better balance
- Keep your hands out of your pockets
- Look first before stepping out from the vehicle
Visit the safety stop and download a shift briefing about Safe Movement.
Today’s activities and contest
Participants at today’s Airside Rodeo will all be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win Air Canada flight tickets and gift cards.
If you are unable to attend, enter today’s online contest for a chance to win a grand prize by, simply taking the safety quiz or SMS Awareness course and submit a screen shot of your completed learning to safety@gtaa.com.
Read the contest rules for the Airside Rodeo.