[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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