This document provides guidance for preparing for a Foreign Object Debris (FOD) audit. It outlines five key things to consider: 1) controlling FOD area access, 2) keeping FOD areas clean, 3) managing products and tools on the production line, 4) controlling tools, and 5) performing a final inspection. Specific best practices are described for each area, such as delineating controlled areas, organizing according to 6S principles, and ensuring tools are accounted for. Regular retraining, revising plans as needed, and recording results are emphasized as important for ongoing FOD prevention.

1. Better Be
Prepared!
FOD
Facing A
Audit?

2. Foreign Object
Debris and or
Foreign Object
Damage can
lead to a
Foreign Object
Event!
You know the
dangers they
represent.

3. Have You:
Planned?
Trained?
Taken
Action?
Changed
The
Culture?

4. 5 Things to consider
when preparing for
your Audit:
1. FOD Area
Access
2. FOD Area
Cleanliness
3. Product and
Production Line
4. Tool Control
5. Follow Up

5. FOD Area
Access:
 Controlled areas
clearly delineated
 Level of control
defined in clear, easy
to recognize
message
 Unauthorized people
know their access is
restricted
 Untrained people are
informed their
access is limited or
prevented

6. FOD Area
Cleanliness:
 Controlled Areas
organized according to
the “6S Principles”
 “Clean As You Go”
always in effect
 Unnecessary personal
items restricted or not
permitted (appropriate
to the level of control)
If You See It,
Pick It Up!
2

7. Product and
Production Line:
 Parts & Hardware;
appropriate for
the task at hand,
organized
 Packaging
Materials;
removed when
done
 Protective
Barriers;
deployed where
appropriate

8. Tool Control:
 In good working
order
 Housed in tool boxes
 Tool boxes clear of
unnecessary items
 Missing tools can be
quickly identified –
shadow box best
 Never left where they
may inadvertently
cause a problem
 Accounted for at the
end of the work task
or shift

9. Follow Up:
Always perform
a final sweep
and inspection
of the work
area
Never assume
someone else
will take care of
an identified
problem

10. The 4 “R’s” In
FOD Prevention:
1. Reinforce
the message.
2. Retrain
regularly.
3. Revise the
plan as needed.
4. Record the
results.

11. Facing a FOD Audit – footnotes
This Guideline is not intended as a definitive statement of what is required in an audit.
Our presentation here is not a legal interpretation of audit requirements, nor should it be interpreted as legal
advice concerning audit compliance.
The 6Ss and their meaning
 Sort - Distinguish between what is needed and not needed and to remove the latter.
 Stabilize - Enforce a place for everything and everything in its place.
 Shine - Clean up the workplace and look for ways to keep it clean.
 Standardize - Maintain and monitor adherence to the first three Ss.
 Sustain - Follow the rules to keep the workplace 6S-right—"maintain the gain.".
 Safety - Eliminate hazards. (We added this sixth "S" so we could maintain the focus on Safety within our
Lean events and embed safe conditions into all our improvements.)
Vital Enterprises, Hope, Maine 04847. Published 2005, revised 2011
Facing a FOD Audit PowerPoint © 2015 is the property of Rokap, Inc. In an effort to combat FOD, Rokap,
Inc. encourages the user to share this PowerPoint with other parties.
2
1