[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20946]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 25, 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. Genwal Coal Company (Amendment)

[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. 
42-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use 
belt air to ventilate the face area; 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; and to 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.

2. Three Way Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-117-C]

    Three Way Coal Company, P.O. Box 17, Brachdale, Pennsylvania 17923 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400 
(hoisting equipment; general) to its Little Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08332) 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.

3. Red Oak Mining Company

[Docket No. M-94-118-C]

    Red Oak Mining Company, P.O. Box 210, Westover, Pennsylvania 16692 
has filed to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-4(a)(3) 
(automatic fire sensor and warning device systems) to its South Mine 
(I.D. No. 36-07810) located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection 
system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt entries 
where a monitoring system identifies a sensor location instead of 
having a detection system in each belt flight. The petitioner states 
that the carbon monoxide monitoring system would be capable of 
providing both a visual and audible alarm signal that would be 
activated when the carbon monoxide level at any sensor reaches 10 ppm 
above the ambient level of the mine, and that all miners would be 
withdrawn to a safe location unless the cause for the alarm is 
determined not be hazardous to the miners. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Red Oak Mining Company

[Docket No. M-94-119-C]

    Red Oak Mining Company, P.O. Box 210, Westover, Pennsylvania 16692 
has filed to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and 
belt haulage entries) to its South Mine (I.D. No. 36-07810) located in 
Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to install a low-
level carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire 
detection system in conveyor belt entries used as intake air courses 
that would provide both visual and audible alarm signals when the 
carbon monoxide level at any sensor is 10 ppm above the ambient level 
for the mine, when an audible alarm signal is different from the alert 
signal, and when the carbon monoxide level reaches 15 ppm above the 
ambient level for the mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternate method would provide at least the same measure of protection 
as would the mandatory standard.

5. Somerset Mining Company

[Docket No. M-94-120-C]

    Somerset Mining Company, P.O. Box 535, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Sanborn Creek Mine (I.D. No. 
05-04452) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes 
to use belt air to ventilate active working places in order to enhance 
the operator's ability to ventilate remote sections of the mine. The 
petitioner states that application of the standard would result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. Arclar Company

[Docket No. M-94-121-C]

    Arclar Company, 29 West Raymond, P.O. Box 444, Harrisburg, Illinois 
62946 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.360(b)(6) (preshift examination) to its Big Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 11-
02879) located in Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to 
conduct preshift examinations of the intake air at specified locations 
to determine the quality and quantity of the air reporting to the 
operating unit and to examine the neck areas for any changes in roof 
conditions on a weekly basis. The petitioner states that a six month 
history of preshift examinations have shown no quantity of methane or 
oxygen deficiency. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

7. Freeman United Coal Mining Company

[Docket No. M-94-122-C]

    Freeman United Coal Mining Company, P.O. Box 100, West Frankfort, 
Illinois 62896-0100 has filed a petition to modify the application of 
30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-
voltage cables and transformers) to its Orient No. 6 Mine (I.D. No. 11-
00599) located in Jefferson County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes 
to use 2400 volt cables to power longwall equipment inby the last open 
crosscut and within 150 feet of pillar workings (gob) areas. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at 
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

8. B&M Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-123-C]

    B&M Coal Company, Box 37, Dilliner, Pennsylvania 15327 has filed an 
amended petition for its B&M No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 36-06126) located in 
Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests that previous 
petition, docket number M-91-102-C, for 30 CFR 75.362 be amended. The 
petitioner requests that Item No. 15 of the previous petition be 
amended to include language requiring intake escapeways to be 
maintained in accordance with new mandatory standard 30 CFR 75.380 
(f)(1) (Ventilation Final Rule of November 15, 1992). The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

9. Kennecott Utah Copper

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

    Kennecott Utah Copper, 8362 West 10200 South, P.O. Box 525, Bingham 
Canyon, Utah 84006-0525 has filed an amended petition to its previous 
petition 30 CFR 56.9022, docket number M-86-20-M for its Concentrator 
North (I.D. No. 42-00717) located in Salt Lake County, Utah. The 
petitioner requests that the previous petition be amended to reflect 
the new mandatory standard 30 CFR 56.9300 (d)(1) and (d)(3). The 
petitioner proposes to post warning signs that impoundment roadway is 
not bermed and caution must be used at each access point from the outer 
roadway because of the structure of the tailings impoundment; to post 
signs that limit speed at 15 MPH; to limit access to the impoundment 
roadway to only authorized personnel required to be in the area for 
inspecting and/or maintaining the pipeline in the area, in the 
tailings, and/or the roadway. In addition, the petitioner proposes to 
install a 24-inch diameter pipeline on the inside edge of the 
impoundment roadway that serves as a continuous delineator to vehicle 
drivers; to limit traffic on the roadway to one-way traffic; to limit 
access to personnel required to have access to conduct inspections or 
perform maintenance; to provide training to all authorized personnel 
concerning special hazard recognition; and to issue a special license, 
that would be updated every four years, to authorized drivers in the 
area. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would 
provide at least same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

10. Rock of Ages Corporation, and Swenson Granite Company, Inc. 
(Subsidiary of Rock of Ages)

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

    Rock of Ages Corporation, P.O. Box 482, Barre, Vermont 05641 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.19003 to its 
Rock of Ages Lite Side (I.D. No. 43-00024); its Rock of Ages Dark Side 
(I.D. No. 43-00023); and its Wells Lamson (I.D. No. 43-00063) all 
located in Washington County, Vermont, and its Gray Quarry (I.D. No. 
27-00083) located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. The petitioner 
requests relief from the mandatory standard as it applies to chain 
drives between the driving mechanism and the gear train of the hoists, 
allowing the use of chain drives for such application. 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 26, 1994. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: August 18, 1994.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 94-20946 Filed 8-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P