Foreign Object Debris Glossary

FO (foreign object) sometimes referred to as Foreign Object Debris (FOD)

Any alien substance or article that invades any component or has potential to cause damage to aircraft, persons, equipment, or otherwise diminish safety.

 

FOD (foreign object damage)

Any damage or incident attributed to a foreign object that can be expressed in physical or economic terms which may or may not degrade the product’s required safety and/ or performance characteristics.

 

FOE (foreign object elimination)

A program or process used to assure a FOD-free operational process.

 

FOD Designated Area (also known as FOD critical or FOD sensitive)

Any area where flight hardware is in place and exposure to foreign objects would potentially cause a system or product failure due to deterioration, malfunction or damage.

 

FOD Awareness

A FOD Prevention Area where manufacturing or modification processes remain open without any potential for FOD entrapment. This includes but is not limited to: Components or assemblies undergoing manufacturing or modification without any closeout activities on the product.

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FOD Control

A FOD Prevention Area where assembly or modification processes occur. This includes but is not limited to: Components or assemblies undergoing manufacturing or modification in the process of becoming a completed aircraft.

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FOD Critical

A FOD Prevention Area where assembly, modification and Flight and Ground Operations require the highest level of preventative measures. The elimination of FOD contamination, entrapment, migration or damage is most critical to safeguard the product.

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FOD Barriers

Devices such as edge protectors, caps, plugs, and protective covers used for hoses, cables, ducts, electronic components and other hardware exposed to potential damage.

 

FOD Walk/ Sweep

Physical inspection and removal of FO in an assigned area or zone.

 

Clean As You Go

Ongoing process of removing work debris and keeping the work area clean while performing a task on a product.

 

Consumables/ MSP (Miscellaneous Small Parts) and PLS (Production Line Stock)

Supplies provided to workers that are expendable.

Examples are:

  • Issued apparel (e.g. gloves, hair nets etc.)
  • Safety glasses and shop garments
  • Glue, paint, sealant
  • Rags, pads, cotton swabs
  • Sandpaper, brushes, applicators, paper, pens, plastics covers
  • Stock items
  • Perishable tools (e.g. drills, reamers etc.)

 

Housekeeping

Maintaining a clean and orderly work area with necessary tools, materials, and equipment in their places of orderly arrangement.

 

5S

5S is defined as a Japanese workplace organisational methodology that results in a workplace that is organised specifically for the process or operation in the most efficient way / layout, kept in order and is clean and uncluttered. 5S leads to a continuously (sustained) safe and efficient, workspace.

The benefits of a 5S workplace are:

  • Maximum work efficiency
  • Reduced 8 wastes
  • Increased safety
  • Reduce Operator fatigue
  • Optimum productivity
  • Improved physical and mental wellbeing for the Operators

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FOD Point of Contact (FOD POC)

The FOD Point of Contact is given the responsibility of maintaining the FOD status and control of FOD designated areas.