[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19471]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 10, 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. H. L. & W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-100-C]

    H. L. & W. Coal Company, 14 Maple Street, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 
(construction of seals) to its H. L. & W. Slope No. 2 (I.D. No. 36-
07269) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the standard to permit alternative methods 
of seal construction using wooden materials of moderate size and weight 
due to the difficulty in accessing previously driven headings and 
breasts containing inaccessible abandoned workings; to accept a design 
criterion in the 10 psi range; and to permit the water trap to be 
installed in the gangway seal and sampling tube in the monkey seal for 
seals installed in pairs. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternate method would provide at least the same measure of protection 
as would the mandatory standard.

2. H. L. & W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-101-C]

    H. L. & W. Coal Company, 14 Maple Street, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.340 
(underground electrical installations) to its H. L. & W. Slope No. 2 
(I.D. No. 36-07269) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. As an 
alternative to removing the batteries and transporting them in the 
gunboat to the surface for charging, the petitioner proposes to charge 
batteries on the mine's locomotive when all miners are out of the mine 
and to have the intake air which is used to ventilate the charging 
station continue through its normal route to the last open crosscut and 
into the monkey airway (return). The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternate method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

3. H. L. & W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-102-C]

    H. L. & W. Coal Company, 14 Maple Street, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360 
(preshift examination) to its H. L. & W. Slope No. 2 (I.D. No. 36-
07269) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
proposes to examine each seal for physical damage from the slope 
gunboat during the preshift examination after an air quantity reading 
is taken inby the intake portal and to test for the quantity and 
quality of air at the intake air split locations off the slope in the 
gangway portion of the working section. The petitioner proposes to 
physically examine the entire length of the slope once a month. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at 
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. H. L. & W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-103-C]

    H. L. & W. Coal Company, 14 Maple Street, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b)(1), (4), and (5) (weekly examination) to its H. L. & W. Slope 
No. 2 (I.D. No. 36-07269) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 
Due to hazardous conditions and roof falls, certain areas of the intake 
haulage slope and primary escapeway cannot be traveled safely. The 
petitioner proposes to examine these areas from the gunboat/slope car 
with an alternative air quality evaluation at the section's intake 
level, and to travel and thoroughly examine these areas for hazardous 
conditions once a month. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternate method would provide at least the same measure of protection 
as would the mandatory standard.

5. H. L. & W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-104-C]

    H. L. & W. Coal Company, 14 Maple Street, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(a)(2) (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its H. L. 
& W. Slope No. 2 (I.D. No. 36-07269) located in Schuylkill County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use only portable fire 
extinguishers to replace existing requirements where rock dust, water 
cars, and other water storage are not practical. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. H. L. & W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-105-C]

    H. L. & W. Coal Company, 14 Maple Street, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1200(d) & (i) (mine map) to its H. L. & W. Slope No. 2 (I.D. No. 36-
07269) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
proposes to use cross-sections instead of contour lines through the 
intake slope, at locations of rock tunnel connections between veins, 
and at 1,000 feet intervals of advance from the intake slope and to 
limit the mapping of mine workings above and below to those present 
within 100 feet of the vein being mined except when veins are 
interconnected to other veins beyond the 100 feet limit through rock 
tunnels. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

7. H. L. & W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-106-C]

    H. L. & W. Coal Company, 14 Maple Street, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-
1(a) (temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its H. L. & 
W. Slope No. 2 (I.D. No. 36-07269) located in Schuylkill County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to revise and supplement mine 
maps on an annual basis instead of the required 6 month interval and to 
update maps daily by hand notations. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

8. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-94-107-C]

    Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) 
(underground high-voltage cables) to its Deer Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-
00121) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard to allow the use of Anaconda Type SHD+GC, 
Piralli Type SHD-Center-GC, or Tiger Brand Type SHD-CGC MSHA-approved 
flame resistant cables with a flexible No. 16 A.W.G. ground check 
conductor for the ground continuity check circuit, on high-voltage 
longwall systems. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate 
method would provide at least same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

9. Sky High Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-108-C]

    Sky High Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 393A, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 
(construction of seals) to its L. V. No. 3 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08405) 
located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard to permit alternative methods of seal 
construction using wooden materials of moderate size and weight due to 
the difficulty in accessing previously driven headings and breasts 
containing inaccessible abandoned workings; to accept a design 
criterion in the 10 psi range; and to permit the water trap to be 
installed in the gangway seal and sampling tube in the monkey seal for 
seals installed in pairs. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternate method would provide at least the same measure of protection 
as would the mandatory standard.

10. Sky High Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-109-C]

    Sky High Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 393A, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360 
(preshift examination) to its L. V. No. 3 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08405) 
located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to 
examine each seal for physical damage from the slope gunboat during the 
preshift examination after an air quantity reading is taken in by the 
intake portal and to test for the quantity and quality of air at the 
intake air split locations off the slope in the gangway portion of the 
working section. The petitioner proposes to physically examine the 
entire length of the slope once a month. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

11. Sky High Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-110-C]

    Sky High Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 393A, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b) (1), (4), and (5) (weekly examination) to its L. V. No. 3 
Slope (I.D. No. 36-08405) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 
Due to hazardous conditions and roof falls, certain areas of the intake 
haulage slope and primary escapeway cannot be traveled safely. The 
petitioner proposes to examine these areas from the gunboat/slope car 
with an alternative air quality evaluation at the section's intake 
level, and to travel and thoroughly examine these areas for hazardous 
conditions once a month. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternate method would provide at least the same measure of protection 
as would the mandatory standard.

12. Sky High Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-111-C]

    Sky High Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 393A, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(a)(2) (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its L. V. 
No. 3 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08405) located in Schuylkill County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use only portable fire 
extinguishers to replace existing requirements where rock dust, water 
cars, and other water storage are not practical. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

13. Sky High Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-112-C]

    Sky High Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 393A, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200 
(d) & (i) (mine map) to its L. V. No. 3 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08405) 
located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to 
use cross-sections instead of contour lines through the intake slope, 
at locations of rock tunnel connections between veins, and at 1,000 
feet intervals of advance from the intake slope and to limit the 
mapping of mine workings above and below to those present within 100 
feet of the vein being mined except when veins are interconnected to 
other veins beyond the 100 feet limit through rock tunnels. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at 
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

14. Sky High Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-113-C]

    Sky High Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 393A, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-
1(a) (temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its L. V. No. 
3 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08405) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 
The petitioner proposes to revise and supplement mine maps on an annual 
basis instead of the required 6 month interval and to update maps daily 
by hand notations. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

15. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-114-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to 
its Dilworth Mine (I.D. No. 36-04281) located in Greene County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use 800 feet trailing cables 
with three-phase 480 volt to supply power to loading machines, shuttle 
cars, roof bolters and section ventilation fans while developing 
longwall panels. The petitioner states that the cables would not be 
smaller than No. 4 A.W.G. for the ventilation fans, center bolters, and 
shuttle cars and not smaller than No. 2 A.W.G. for the loading 
machines; and that adequate training would be provided to all miners 
designated necessary by the operator. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternate method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

16. R & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-115-C]

    R & S Coal Company, 8 West Main Street, Goodspring, Pennsylvania 
17981 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400 
(hoisting equipment; general) to its Primrose Slope (I.D. No. 36-08221) 
located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Because of the steep, 
frequently changing pitch and numerous curves and knuckles in the main 
haulage slope, the petitioner proposes to use the gunboat without 
safety catches in transporting persons. As an alternative, when using 
the gunboat to transport persons, the petitioner proposes to use an 
increased rope strength safety factor and secondary safety connections 
which are securely fastened around the gunboat and to the hoisting rope 
above the main connecting device. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternate method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

17. Genwal Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-116-C]

    Genwal Coal Company, P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 
40-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use 
belt air to ventilate the face area and to install a low-level carbon 
monoxide detection system that would provide both visual and audible 
alarm signals as an early warning device in belt entries used as intake 
air courses, which would provide two separate and distinct intake air 
escapeways to the miners working in the development sections. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 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 September 9, 1994. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: August 1, 1994.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 94-19471 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P