Date: 201405
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: B767-300 and 300 ER
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Oxygen System/Crew
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Technician
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Human factors: Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Technician
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure; Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Inbound PIREP Flight Attendant Oxygen Panels; all except mid panel; ceiling mounted oxygen mask doors sealed shut with security seals. Removed security seals.  Will provide information to Union Representative. [Recommend] to actively train all Outsourced (Contracted) Cleaners [about] what must and must not be covered with security seals. This is a very serious safety concern.

Callback: Reporter stated he was performing a Cabin Walk-through Inspection on an ETOPS B767-300 aircraft at a terminal gate prior to passenger boarding. He noticed that all of the overhead ceiling Flight Attendant Oxygen Masks had security seals taped over the oxygen masks door panel seams at all cabin door jumpseats. He later learned the aircraft also had an inbound pilot report for the same problem. Reporter stated his air carrier has contracted out their cabin cleaning services with a Contract Provider that clean their aircraft and is also responsible for Cabin Security Checks and applying security seals. He noticed the Contract Provider's employees apply security seals to every gap; on cabin sidewall lower access panels; overhead panels; interior panels in the lavatories; special seals on life vests under the passenger seats and oxygen masks door panels. Even though the Contract provider has their own Inspector following behind their contract employees to verify that cabin security checks have been accomplished and security seals have been applied; the security seals are still being installed at the wrong locations.  The outbound flight attendants were shocked and upset about the possibility of none of them having oxygen available to them in an emergency. He does not believe the Flight Attendant's Cabin Pre-Departure Checklist includes visual checks of their overhead oxygen mask panel doors for condition at their jumpseats. He has thirty years aircraft maintenance experience.

Second narrative: Inbound PIREP Flight Attendant Oxygen Panels sealed with security seals. Verified [Security] seals were installed in all positions except Mid Flight Attendant Areas with lower oxygen doors; all ceiling mounted Flight Attendant Oxygen Panels had [security] seals.  This is a critical safety concern!  Train ALL OUTSOURCED CLEANERS where to and where not to put security seals!


Synopsis: Two Line Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) report about an ETOPS B767-300 aircraft that had security seals applied to Flight Attendant ceiling mounted Oxygen Mask Door Panel seams by a Cabin Contract Service provider; at all Cabin door jumpseat locations. Oxygen masks would not have been available to flight attendants in an emergency.