Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Attendant Current
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Company Policy; Equipment / Tooling; Human Factors; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part
The [Galley] Oven racks don't stay in place and do not lock when pulling meals out.  During the flight there is potential of getting burned or severely hurt.  What is the best way to retrieve the meals and prevent the oven racks from falling out?  Is this [situation] violating an FAR since they [racks] are not secure and have the potential of causing serious harm?  What steps is our air carrier taking to ensure the safety of its employees?  Safety Concern.
Reporter stated that although the new galley oven racks are made of metal; they are very flimsy; bend easily; especially when loaded with two or three hot food plates and do not have safety stops to prevent the racks from completely sliding out of the hot oven compartment. Their B737-900s came with the new ovens and racks and have also been installed on their reconfigured two-class B767 aircraft. He doesn't know if the B737-800s have the new ovens. Galley ovens on previous fleet model aircraft he has worked had much stiffer metal racks with safety stops that prevented the rack (tray) from completely sliding out of the oven. Flight Attendant would have had to lift the rack up to clear a lip (safety stop) before they could remove the hot plate rack. Reporter stated that numerous internal company documents have been filed by flight attendants about hands; arms; and upper body areas being contacted by the hot plates or splattered by hot food caused by the racks falling out of the ovens due to the lack of safety stops as the racks are pulled out to access the hot plates. No response yet from his air carrier about improving the strength and adding safety stops to the new oven racks.
A Flight Attendant reports the new galley oven hot plate racks on their B737-900 and B767-300 aircraft are very flimsy; do not stay in place and do not lock when pulling meals out. Previous oven racks had safety stops. Concerns also raised about the potential for getting burned or severely hurt.