B777-200
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Apprentice
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Company Policy
The fuel tank vendor created an unsafe situation for [our company] their employees and their fleet. Aircraft X had a fuel tank entry job done outside the hangar. The mishap was noticed by myself as I drove along about a hardstand and half away where the airplane was parked I could smell a very strong fuel smell that indicated a massive leak. Being the Safety [manager] I headed over to the airplane to find out what was going on. I snapped [a] bunch of pictures and what I saw was the following items;1) The airplane was not grounded as there are no grounding points on any of the hardstands.2) The plane was being vented and the electric motors used to draw the air were right under the plane instead of using a 100ft hose.3) The generator used to power everything was within 50ft of the open tank and not 100ft4) Their vehicle was parked and running within 30 ft of the open fuel tank. The man lift that they used was not in place yet under the open fuel tank.5) There was no barrier or roping off of the airplane.[Maintenance Personnel] was made aware of this issue through an email. [They] replied back to me with a reassurance that this problem would be corrected and I thanked him. The problem here is [this Maintenance Personnel] always reassure me of issues in the manner of safety but never actually handles them he shows an interest in handling Aircraft maintenance and safety at the cheapest price and in the fastest way disregarding quality and safety. While this may sound like a complaint it is not it is a sad fact. However knowing the results of how [this Maintenance Personnel] would handle the situation especially with the potent smell I feel it is my duty to always notify prior and offer the manager the ability to self-correct. It is a right I would like to have bestowed upon myself and so I honor it with others even so if it is not honored with me.[Other maintenance personnel] was concerned how the vendor did this work '[company X].'  He voiced concerns that was the company to be held responsibility and follow the [maintenance manual]?  I told him [I] Believe the company is to follow the [maintenance manual] because the fleet is governed by the [maintenance manual]. None of the fuel tank work cards were filled out including what was required for follow up actions. I myself never saw the airplane in work but I asked [the other maintenance personnel] where the airplane located was? He said it was located on spot of Aircraft X. Right there I know we have a problem because the spot has no grounding points anywhere. Especially no tested spots as required. This leaves an explosion hazard that risk all of my [team] members and myself. This cannot continue. The cheapest price if so and the speed of the job puts everyone at risk this argument gets tiresome. From the smell of the last Aircraft X the smell could only have been that strong if there was a significant amount of fuel still in the tank. I have worked airplanes before fuel tank wise and know this especially for an airplane outside not in an enclosed hangar.The other question is why not required [documents] are accomplished on the airplane. These are important [documents] and were put in place for a reason why is a vendor exempt from them but when we take over we have to comply with these [documents] yet they are not even complete?
Upon coming on duty I found out that Aircraft Y had maintenance done on the RH tank regarding an MEL out of time with [this specific model] restriction.I received turnover from afternoon [Company X] had not accomplished any [maintenance] task cards for Tank Permit or Tank Unit replacement. I had task [documents] printed; unscheduled maintenance cards. Upon showing the [Company X] Representative; he stated not being trained by [our company] on use of those cards. They always use [Maintenance Manual] procedures. I continued to check the [Company Document] and found yet another [maintenance document]; that was required for record keeping. My understanding from [Company Document] is that task cards take precedence. Clarification would be helpful.'[Company Document] [stated that our company] can arrange with a Maintenance Provider (MP) for the performance of any maintenance; preventative maintenance; or alterations. However; this does not relieve [our company] of the responsibility for the performance of the maintenance; preventative maintenance; or alteration of its aircraft; including airframes; aircraft engines; appliances; emergency equipment and parts thereof; in accordance with this manual..'
Maintenance Technicians reported that on a Boeing 777 an outside vendor created an unsafe situation when working on open fuel tanks.