Safer airports for all: Canadian Airports Safety Week 2024
Airports have long been a hub of activity: from passengers in terminals to baggage on the conveyor, to aircraft and personnel on the airfield, every moving part keeps the airport running.
Because of the busyness and complexity of airport operations, safety has always played a huge role in how airports are run. To support the goal of overall airport safety, Canadian airports work together to promote safe workplaces at Canadian Airports Safety Week each year. This year’s awareness week takes place September 23-27, 2024.
What does Airports Safety Week entail?
The Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) shares that “Airport Safety Week is an opportunity to promote healthy and safe work practices among all Toronto Pearson workers. Our goal for this week is to educate and engage all airport workers in creating a safe work environment”.
Safety presentations and themed messaging and events are planned and executed to reach thousands of airport employees. Last year, Toronto Pearson focused on a different theme each day of the Safety Week, with topics such as Worker Safety and Security Safety, Aviation Safety, FOD (Flying-Object Debris), and Environmental Awareness and Safety. Their on-site Airports Safety Week fair showcased what YYZ has to offer pertaining to airport safety; volunteers from various departments of the airport shared.
This type of awareness and education takes place in airports across Canada during Canadian Airports Safety Week. It is a great time to remind employees of the importance of airport safety, as well as show gratitude for all they do.
Why do we care about Canadian Airports Safety Week?
We are dedicated to safety in every form, and in every country! Safety knows no borders, and we are privileged to provide airport barricades and safety equipment to airports in Canada and beyond. Helping increase safety measures is an honor, and that’s why we care about Canadian Airports Safety Week.
Our Canadian partner, Acclivix, works with us to advocate for airport safety across North America. A safety management firm, they have over 20 years of working in the Canadian airport industry. Their expertise lends itself to successfully implementing safety management systems, improving airport culture, increasing participation in airport-wide initiatives, and instructing in airport security, operations, and design.
On the northern side of the border, Acclivix handles any difficulties direct customers might face with importing and helps ensure that those purchasing OTW products to use at Canadian airports have as smooth of a delivery as possible. We are grateful for their partnership!
What products does OTW Safety recommend for Airport Safety in Canada? …and why?
OTW has several barricades and airport lights that we recommend for use in airport settings.
Our classic 10” Low Profile Airport Barricade is one of the very first barricades launched by OTW; today, the evolved form of the original is one of our best-selling products. It represents the safest way to delineate airfield hazards and is used at major airports across the globe. Multiple low-profile barriers connect securely without additional hardware, while active retention firmly holds hazard flags in place for a FOD-free airfield.
The 24” Mid Profile Airport Barricade is a medium-height airfield barrier that is perfect for alerting pilots in larger aircraft to hazards on the ground. Built with the same features as the 10” Low Profile Airport Barricade, it stands over twice as tall and is capable of ballasting with nearly 11 times its weight in water for maximum stability no matter the weather. Our airfield barricades are so sturdy, they’re frequently used in Northern Canada and Alaska where extreme weather is the norm.
To make airport barriers even more visible, add Airport Hazard Lights to either sized barricade. With our signature threaded base, no additional hardware is needed to fasten each hazard light to a barricade securely, and the now-stronger LEDs are perfect for alerting pilots and personnel of hazards.
The Lighted X Runway Closure Marker was created to definitively mark closed taxiways or runways that are not open for landings. Runways under construction can be dangerous at best and deadly at worst and therefore must be marked clearly. The giant “X” shape of the lighted X mast shines brightly day or night, and the highly distinguishable closure marker complies with FAA regulations for indicating a closed runway.
Finally, the Airport Rotating Beacon Light is a staple on the airfield. Used to indicate what type of airport or heliport is being approached (determined by the color of light), rotating beacon lights are a requirement per the FAA. We fill this need by providing multiple models for use: LED rotating airport beacons, LED rotating heliport beacons, and military rotating beacons. Each type of beacon lights the night sky with minimal light wash and ensures the safety of pilots and ground crew alike.
Advocate for safety together
Airports across Canada are always working towards increased safety and we are always pleased to be a part of bringing safety measures to a new level. Canadian Airports Safety Week highlights just what it takes to keep airports in Canada safe and gives airport employees a chance to celebrate safety together.
Join us as we continue to advocate for safety in every form, from the streets to the skies.
Need airport barricades to get started? Contact our experts today.
