[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25821]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 19, 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. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-139-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.380(d)(4) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite 
mines) to its Dilworth Mine (I.D. No. 36-04281) located in Greene 
County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to establish two separate 
and distinct primary intake escapeways during development of three-
entry longwall gate sections; to have the total length of unattended 
supply cars maintained on the end of the supply track at 150 feet and 
other rail vehicles readily mobile on the longwall development section; 
to have a clearance of 42 inches on the wide side of the cars when an 
unattended trip of supply cars is parked on the supply track/intake 
escapeway of the three-entry development section; to periodically test 
the wide side clearances along the supply cars to assure that a 
stretcher can move through the area; and to post a reflective sign that 
indicates limited clearance at both the inby and outby ends of the 
supply cars and at the entrance of the mine. The petitioner proposes to 
establish two separate and distinct secondary escapeways on retreat 
that would be identified with signs and markers in the belt entry from 
the longwall face to the track entry at a distance not to exceed 1000 
feet, and the minimum width of the travelway in the belt entry at two 
feet and maintained clear and free of obstruction; to periodically test 
the wide side clearances along that portion of the belt entry 
designated as an alternate escapeway to assure that a minimum clearance 
of two feet is maintained; to instruct personnel working in the area to 
use the primary escapeway in an emergency; to deenergize the longwall 
machinery and belt line when transporting persons if the primary 
escapeway is impassable; and to train all personnel assigned to work in 
the area prior to implementation of the proposed alternate method and 
during annual refresher training. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

2. Ram Head Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-140-C]

    Ram Head Coal Company, 277 Main Street, Joliett, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360 
(preshift examination) to its Primrose Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) 
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 
asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

3. Ram Head Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-141-C]

    Ram Head Coal Company, 277 Main Street, Joliett, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1), 
(4), and (5) (weekly examination) to its Primrose Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08454) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Due to hazardous 
conditions and roof falls, certain areas of the intake air course 
cannot be safely traveled. The petitioner proposes to examine the 
intake haulage slope and primary escapeway 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 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Ram Head Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-142-C]

    Ram Head Coal Company, 277 Main Street, Joliett, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(a)(2) (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its 
Primrose Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) 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.

5. Ram Head Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-143-C]

    Ram Head Coal Company, 277 Main Street, Joliett, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200(d) & 
(i) (mine map) to its Primrose Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) located in 
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to limit the 
mapping of mines above and below mine workings 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.

6. Ram Head Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-144-C]

    Ram Head Coal Company, 277 Main Street, Joliett, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a) 
(temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its Primrose Slope 
(I.D. No. 36-08454) 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 alternate 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

7. The Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company

[Docket No. M-94-145-C]

    The Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company, P.O. Box 6518, 
Englewood, Colorado 80155-6518 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) (location of trolley wires; trolley 
feeder wires, high-voltage cables and transformers) to its North River 
No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 01-00759) located in Fayette County, Alabama. The 
petitioner proposes to use high-voltage (2400 volts) cable to power 
longwall equipment inby the last open crosscut and at least 150 feet 
from pillar workings. The petitioner states that all electrical 
personnel required to perform maintenance on the longwall will receive 
training in high-voltage safety and maintenance procedures before the 
proposed alternate method is implemented. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

8. Arch of Illinois

[Docket No. M-94-146-C]

    Arch of Illinois, P.O. Box 308, Percy, Illinois 62272-0308 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.206(c) 
(ladders; construction; installation and maintenance) to its 
Preparation Plant (I.D. No. 11-02948) located in Perry County, 
Illinois. Instead of using backguards, the petitioner proposes to use a 
SAF-T-CLIMB fall prevention system that meets Federal Specifications 
No. RR-S-001301, and complies with OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910.27. The 
petitioner states that application of the mandatory 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.

9. Leeco, Inc.

[Docket No. M-94-147-C]

    Leeco, Inc., 100 Coal Drive, London, Kentucky 40741-8799 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-4(a)(1) 
(automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; installation; 
minimum requirements) to its Mine No. 68 (I.D. No. 15-17497) located in 
Perry County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level 
carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire detection 
system in all belt entries used as intake air courses. The petitioner 
states that application of the mandatory 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.

10. Leeco, Inc.

[Docket No. M-94-148-C]

    Leeco, Inc., 100 Coal Drive, London, Kentucky 40741-8799 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and 
belt haulage entries) to its Mine No. 68 (I.D. No. 15-17497) located in 
Perry County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use belt air to 
ventilate active working places to aid in controlling respirable dust 
and dissipating methane. The petitioner states that application of the 
mandatory 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.

11. Genwal Coal Company

[Docket No. M-94-149-C]

    Genwal Coal Company, P.O. Box 1201, Huntington, Utah 84528 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 Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01715) located 
in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use high-voltage 
(4160 volts) operated equipment inby the last open crosscut at the 
longwall sections. The petitioner states that application of the 
mandatory standard would result in a diminution of safety to the 
miners. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

12. Brush Creek Mining and Development Company, Inc.

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

    Brush Creek Mining and Development Company, Inc., 970 E. Main 
Street, Suite 200, Grass Valley, California 95945 has filed a petition 
to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.4431 (surface storage 
restrictions) to its Ruby Mine (I.D. No. 04-03108) located in Sierra 
County, California. The petitioner request a modification of the 
mandatory standard to allow the diesel fuel tank to remain in its 
present location. The petitioner states that the tank has been in this 
location since 1981, has a concrete foundation, and is completely 
bermed to contain the fuel within the tank if there is a complete 
failure of the tank. Further, the petitioner states that if fuel 
escapes from the berm, it would flow downhill away from the portal. 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 November 18, 1994. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: October 7, 1994.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 94-25821 Filed 10-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P