[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8961]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

 

Petitions for Modification

    The following parties have filed petitions to modify the 
application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-33-C]

    Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, P.O. Box 138, Garysville, 
Pennsylvania 15337 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.380(d)(4) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its 
Bailey Mine (I.D. No. 36-07230) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. 
The petitioner proposes the adoption of provisions of variance dated 
July 28, 1989. In addition, the petitioner would maintain a minimum 
clearance of 48 inches along the development and retreat section 
equipment located in the primary escapeway; remove all extraneous 
material from the area to allow for safe travel; post and maintain 
``tight clearance'' signs at the inby end of the affected areas; and 
instruct all employees required to work in sections inby the affected 
areas. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

2. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-34-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, P.O. Box 100, Osage, West Virginia 
26543 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364 
(weekly examination) to its Arkwright No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01452) 
located in Monongalia County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to 
make mine ventilation changes after obtaining District Manager approval 
that will make certain check points established by granted petition M-
91-35-C unnecessary. The petitioner states that the mine's 1 South/2 
South longwall panel will intersect and utilize certain entries for 
ventilation of this panel when production starts. In addition, the 
petitioner states that the operator will rehabilitate this short 
stretch of air course to make it safe to travel prior to start of 
production, eliminating the need for check points 19A and 19B; that the 
proposed ventilation changes would result in certain air courses 
becoming common with the track entry, which is traveled and examined, 
eliminating the need for the associated check points. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

3. Mountain Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-35-C]

    Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) 
(underground high-voltage cables) to its West Elk Mine (I.D. No. 05-
03672) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to 
use 2/0 and 4/0 Anaconda SHD+GC and 2/0 and 4/0 Pirelli SHD-Center-GC 
type flame resistant cables with a flexible No. 16 A.W.G ground check 
conductor for the ground continuity check circuit on high voltage 
longwall system(s). The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Drummond Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-94-36-C]

    Drummond Company, Inc., P.O. Box 10246, Birmingham, Alabama 35202 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 
(location of trolley wire, trolley feeder wire, high-voltage cable and 
transformers) to its Mary Lee No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 01-00515) located in 
Walker County, Alabama. The petitioner proposes to use 2,400 volt 
circuits to power longwall mining equipment. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. Golden Oak Mining Company, L.P.

[Docket No. M-94-37-C]

    Golden Oak Mining Company, L.P., HC 85, Box 177, Whitesburg, 
Kentucky 41858 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1710-1 (canopies and cabs; self-propelled electric face equipment; 
installation requirements) to its Tango Mine (I.D. No. 15-13294) 
located in Letcher County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a waiver 
from the use of cabs and/or canopies on Joy 21 shuttle cars. The 
petitioner states that application of the standard would result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners.

6. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-38-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42420-1990 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(b) 
(permissible electric equipment) to its Camp No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-
02709) located in Union County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to 
use non-permissible, handheld, battery-operated drills of not more than 
15 volts inby the last open crosscut for drilling quarter-inch holes in 
the mine roof in order to install sight spads. The petitioner states 
that to protect against hazards related to the use of the drills, 
methane checks will be performed at each drilling site prior to 
operating the drills; that the drills would not be used if methane 
levels of 1.0 percent or greater are detected; and that no battery or 
battery packs would be changed in the drill in the face area or return 
air. The petitioner asserts that the alternate method would provide at 
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

7. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-39-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42420-1990 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(b) 
(permissible electric equipment) to its Camp No. 11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-
08357) located in Union County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to 
use non-permissible, handheld, battery-operated drills of not more than 
15 volts inby the last open crosscut for drilling quarter-inch holes in 
the mine roof in order to install sight spads. The petitioner states 
that to protect against hazards related to the use of the drills, 
methane checks will be performed at each drilling site prior to 
operating the drills; that the drills would not be used if methane 
levels of 1.0 percent methane levels or greater are detected; and that 
no battery or battery packs would be changed in the drill in the face 
area or return air. The petitioner asserts that the alternate method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

8. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-40-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42420-1990 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.507-1(a) 
(electric equipment other than power-connection points; outby the last 
open crosscut; return air; permissibility requirements) to its Camp No. 
1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-02709) located in Union County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to use non-permissible, handheld, battery-operated 
drills of not more than 15 volts in return air outby the last open 
crosscut for drilling quarter-inch holes in the mine roof in order to 
install sight spads. The petitioner states that to protect against 
hazards related to the use of the drills, methane checks will be 
performed at each drilling site prior to operating the drills; that the 
drills would not be used if methane levels of 1.0 percent methane 
levels or greater are detected; and that no battery or battery packs 
would be changed in the drill in the face area or return air. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at 
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

9. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-41-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42420-1990 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.507-1(a) 
(electric equipment other than power-connection points; outby the last 
open crosscut; return air; permissibility requirements) to its Camp No. 
11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-08357) located in Union County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to use non-permissible, handheld, battery-operated 
drills of not more than 15 volts in return air outby the last open 
crosscut for drilling quarter-inch holes in the mine roof in order to 
install sight spads. The petitioner states that to protect against 
hazards related to the use of the drills, methane checks will be 
performed at each drilling site prior to operating the drills; that the 
drills would not be used if methane levels of 1.0 percent methane 
levels or greater are detected; and that no battery or battery packs 
would be changed in the drill in the face area or return air. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at 
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

10. Lehigh Portland Cement Company

[Docket No. M-94-20-M]

    Lehigh Portland Cement Company, Buffington Station, Gary, Indiana 
40401 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
56.14112(b) (construction and maintenance of guards) to its Buffington 
Plant (I.D. No. 12-00424) located in Lake County, Indiana. The 
petitioner has a MSK Shrink-Wrap Machine which is used to seal pallets 
of bagged cement in plastic and is surrounded by a fence which limits 
access to moving parts of the machine. The petitioner requests a 
variance to allow kill switches on 2 door openings to de-energize the 
equipment when the doors are opened; to allow a conveying system that 
is guarded by light beam monitors with switches that de-energize the 
equipment in other than normal operating conditions; and to allow 
rollers of the conveying system that are motorized to operate only 
under load. The petitioner asserts that proposed alternate method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions may furnish written comments. 
These comments must be filed with the Office of Standards, Regulations 
and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, room 627, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be 
postmarked or received in that office on or before May 16, 1994. Copies 
of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: April 6, 1994.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 94-8961 Filed 4-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P