B767-300 and 300 ER
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Manuals; Procedure
I was made aware by the Human Resources department of an ongoing investigation into a potential procedural misstep I may have made. Flight had a biohazard situation with a passenger haven given birth in the 1st class cabin. Vendor maintenance reported to the aircraft on arrival. I received the phone call in Maintenance Control and queried the mechanic about the situation. I referenced a manual's Biohazard Contamination section and followed the procedures for aircraft dispatch. The mechanic reported that there was minimal evidence of bodily fluid stating that the crew and attending medical help contained the contamination to blankets and coverings. The universal infection kit was used during the flight. I asked the vendor if there was a cleaning crew that was qualified to clean a biohazard spill. He responded yes. I requested that the crew clean the area per procedures which he confirmed was completed. I requested that the contaminated articles be disposed of per the manual procedures. He confirmed that would be complied with. He suggested that the seat be deferred and the area be cleaned precautionary on return to the U.S. The seat cushions were removed and secured and the seat was deferred per MEL. The current manual revision requires that the row of seats be removed from service; a fact I am not sure was required in this version. If so; I did not defer the seat next to it per procedure.This is a common occurrence and falls directly in Maintenance Control's responsibility. Due to many factors including the severity of the biohazard issue i.e. minor cut to birth and even death on an aircraft there needs to be some latitude to the level of response needed to return the aircraft to service. The manual requires research in 2 other manuals providing cleaning procedures but does not give any definitive solution to allowing the aircraft to depart stations. The manual needs clarity and provide Maintenance with a full understanding when the clean-up is complied with and the aircraft can return to service at all stations other than the class 1 stations it references.
Maintenance Controller reported being informed of possibly mishandling a biohazard cleanup and MEL entry into the aircraft logbook after a passenger had given birth on the flight.