A mechanic reports his concerns about the ongoing issue of the handling and disposal of the charged ...

Narrative:

I am reporting to document my concern in regards to an ongoing issue of the handling and disposal of the charged oxygen generators that are removed from aircraft; based on the time-life of the individual oxygen canisters. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: reporter stated that for years; mechanics have been removing passenger oxygen generators for time-life expiration dates on all their fleets. The generators are then discharged; by pulling the firing pins; allowing the canisters to discharge oxygen. At the same time; the generators are placed in buckets filled with water; due to the heat generated by the chemical reactions inside the canisters. Reporter also stated mechanics have been informed they have been doing this practice and procedure without approval from their state. Reporter also stated the issue involves hundreds of oxygen generator canisters that are removed at one time.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Mechanic reports his concerns about the ongoing issue of the handling and disposal of the Charged Oxygen Generator canisters that are removed from aircraft.

Narrative: I am reporting to document my concern in regards to an ongoing issue of the handling and disposal of the Charged Oxygen Generators that are removed from aircraft; based on the time-life of the individual oxygen canisters. Callback conversation with Reporter revealed the following information: reporter stated that for years; mechanics have been removing passenger oxygen generators for time-life expiration dates on all their fleets. The generators are then discharged; by pulling the firing pins; allowing the canisters to discharge oxygen. At the same time; the generators are placed in buckets filled with water; due to the heat generated by the chemical reactions inside the canisters. Reporter also stated mechanics have been informed they have been doing this practice and procedure without approval from their state. Reporter also stated the issue involves hundreds of Oxygen Generator canisters that are removed at one time.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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	824037
Time
Date	200902
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Phase	Parked
Component
Aircraft Component	Oxygen System/Pax
Person 1
Function	Technician
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Maintenance

A mechanic reports his concerns about the ongoing issue of the handling and disposal of the charged oxygen generator canisters that are removed from aircraft.