Independent accreditation of oxygen cylinders facilities
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

While maintaining the appropriate general quality accreditation (ISO 9001) of its engineering facilities, the operator did not maintain independent accreditation of the specific procedures and facilities used for the inspection, maintenance and re-certification of oxygen cylinders.

Issue number
AO-2008-053-SI-06
Transport Function
Aviation: Maintenance
Issue Owner
Qantas Airways
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Issue Status Justification

Operator has implemented requirements for independent facility accreditation.

Proactive action
Action number
AO-2008-053-NSA-104
Organisation
Qantas Airways
Action date
Action Status
Closed
Action description

The operator has advised the ATSB that their engineering component workshop has embarked upon a program of equipment replacement and staff training re-validation, with an estimated completion date of 15 November 2010.

The program includes:

  • inspection and certification of new hydrostatic test equipment by a US DOT-certified inspector
  • re-validation of the training of seven existing cylinder test workshop staff by a DOT-certified authority
  • training of three new cylinder test workshop staff by a DOT-certified authority.
ATSB Response

Accepted

Safety advisory notice
Action number
AO-2008-053-SAN-106
Organisation
Organisations conducting inspection, repair and / or recertification of aviation oxygen cylinders
Action date
Action Status
Closed
Action description

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau encourages all organisations performing inspection, testing, maintenance and repair activities on aviation oxygen cylinders, to note the circumstances detailed in this report, with a view to ensuring that all facilities establish and maintain independent external accreditation of their procedures, processes and equipment.

ATSB Response

N/A