AN MD80 CABIN ATTENDANT WHILE RETRIEVING A BEVERAGE CAN FROM THE AFT CARD COMPARTMENT RAISED UP STRIKING HER FOREHEAD ON THE OPEN OVERHEAD DOOR INCURRING A 2 INCH LACERATION.

Narrative

I WAS ASKED TO RETRIEVE A GINGER ALE FROM THE GALLEY DURING THE BEVERAGE SVC WITH THE CART IN THE AISLE. I WENT TO THE AFT R-HAND SIDE CART COMPARTMENT JUST FORWARD OF AFT R-HAND LAVATORY. I BENT DOWN TO GET THE CAN; AND AS I STOOD UP; THE DOOR OF THE COMPARTMENT ABOVE THE CART OPENED. THE DOOR HAD A METAL FRAME THAT HAD A SHARP EDGE. AS I STOOD UP; I HIT MY HEAD VERY HARD CAUSING A 2 INCH LACERATION TO MY FOREHEAD AS WELL AS SWELLING AND BRUISING. THIS WAS AN OLD ACR Y ACFT. THE DOOR WAS NOT SPRING-LOADED; MAGNETIZED; OR RETRACTABLE. I FEEL THAT THE DOOR SHOULD NOT HAVE A SHARP METAL EDGE. IT ALSO SHOULD HAVE A SPRING OR MAGNET SO THAT IF IT POPS OPEN; IT WILL NOT SWING OPEN. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: THIS AIRPLANE DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME CABIN FURNISHINGS AS THE REST OF THE ACR MD80 FLEET. THIS COMPARTMENT DOOR IS A SAFETY ITEM AND SHOULD BE MODIFIED WITH A POSITIVE LOCKING LATCH. REMOVAL OF THE SHARP METAL EDGE AROUND THE EDGE OF THE DOOR WOULD ADD GREATER SAFETY. A SAFETY RPT AND AN ACCIDENT RPT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE COMPANY.