B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors; MEL; Procedure
Union Ramp Safety Representative contacted me regarding an inoperative Forward Cargo Door Balance Mechanism. They [Ramp employees] did not want to unload/load the [cargo] pit due to what they felt was an unsafe condition. Another Mechanic was called to discuss the matter and communicated that the MEL states when the Door Balance Mechanism fails; a suitable hold-open device would be used. It calls for a 2'x 4' inch board painted red with sufficient length to insert between the door skin and cargo floor sheet metal. The Ramp Agents remembered that we used a two-cable system mounted to the pit ceiling to hold cargo doors 'open' on our old B737-300; -500 aircraft when the ceiling latches failed. This is not an option on the B737NG aircraft; so no provision exists for cables. The Ramp employee has a credible concern that with the board installed; it could be accidentally knocked out of place and the 60 pound door could instantly drop on the Ramp employee's head; causing serious injury. The Union Safety Team is also frustrated that a ground report filed a year earlier regarding this matter didn't provide a safer solution. Some mechanics feel this is a safe process if there were a Safety Watch person stationed at the hold-open board. Manpower constraints don't make this a certainty. I concur with the Union Safety that this process should be reviewed and made safer. Company Fleet Engineering should create a safer alternative to securing a cargo door when the balance mechanism fails to hold the door in the 'open' position. This should include installing eye bolts and cables with clips into the ceiling. After that; change the MEL procedures to reflect the safer method to [install a] strap around the [cargo] door assembly for security. MEL/CDL. Cargo loading.
A Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) reports a Ramp employee did not want to unload/load the baggage compartment of a B737-800 aircraft due to the Forward Cargo Door Balance Mechanism had failed. Adding to safety concern was a proviso in their MEL that allowed for an unguarded 2' X 4' inch board to be inserted between the 60-pound cargo door skin and the compartment sheet metal floor to hold the door up.