An air carrier maintenance worker reported that while a mechanic was preparing protective breathing ...

Narrative:

Aircraft [was] undergoing a modification after delivery from manufacturer. At the maintenance facility; a mechanic; while accomplishing [a task] which calls for the removal and replacement of [protective] breathing equipment (pbe); ie; replacement of be aerospace pbe with new model pbe.during the removal; steps advised to dispose of be aerospace pbe models and dispose of it locally. Following dangerous materials/goods.the mechanic was opening and removing a be aerospace pbe from its packaging after taking it from the aircraft. He was inside the maintenance facility; and without pulling the cord that turns on the pbe; he was in the process of spreading open the pbe to dispose of locally. At this stage the pbe literally exploded in his hands. The mechanic was standing erect; and holding the pbe chest high. Metal debris from the oxygen canister was fired and found over 20 feet away from the incident. [Mechanic was injured and required medical attention].pbe information: part number 119003-21. This style of pbe produced by B/east aerospace inc; has been written up before for being difficult to open; following the same procedures for disposal; however no injury had been reported.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air carrier maintenance worker reported that while a Mechanic was preparing Protective Breathing Equipment for disposal; it exploded injuring the Mechanic.

Narrative: Aircraft [was] undergoing a modification after delivery from manufacturer. At the maintenance facility; a mechanic; while accomplishing [a task] which calls for the removal and replacement of [Protective] Breathing Equipment (PBE); ie; replacement of BE Aerospace PBE with new model PBE.During the removal; steps advised to dispose of BE Aerospace PBE models and dispose of it locally. Following dangerous materials/goods.The mechanic was opening and removing a BE Aerospace PBE from its packaging after taking it from the aircraft. He was inside the maintenance facility; and without pulling the cord that turns on the PBE; he was in the process of spreading open the PBE to dispose of locally. At this stage the PBE literally exploded in his hands. The mechanic was standing erect; and holding the PBE chest high. Metal debris from the oxygen canister was fired and found over 20 feet away from the incident. [Mechanic was injured and required medical attention].PBE information: Part Number 119003-21. This style of PBE produced by B/E Aerospace Inc; has been written up before for being difficult to open; following the same procedures for disposal; however no injury had been reported.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1398250
Time
Date	201610
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Boeing Company Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Component
Aircraft Component	Oxygen System/Portable
Person 1
Function	Technician
Events
Anomaly	Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown

An air carrier maintenance worker reported that while a mechanic was preparing protective breathing equipment for disposal; it exploded injuring the mechanic.