[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3436-3438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1039]
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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. Eastern Associated Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-94-178-C]
Eastern Associated Coal Company, 800 Laidley Tower, P.O. Box 1233,
Charleston, West Virginia 25324 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.340(b)(1) (underground electrical
installations) to its Lightfoot No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 46-04332) located
in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a
current of air coursed directly into the return aircourse to ventilate
the on-board charging of the scoop batteries, but not to ventilate the
working places; to have the velocity of intake air used to ventilate
the scoop batteries sufficient to prevent smoke rollback or airflow
reversal during a fire on the scoop; to install carbon monoxide sensors
that are not affected by hydrogen gas, and which are part of the AMS
System that meets the requirements of 75.351, over the battery charging
unit; to install a mandoor in the permanent stopping behind the battery
charger unit, and to provide a way through a heat link to automatically
open the mandoor in order to supply the area with a sufficient amount
of fresh air over the batteries in the event of a fire and to course
air directly to the main return. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
2. Eastern Associated Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-94-179-C]
Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, 800 Laidley Tower, P.O. Box
1233, Charleston, West Virginia 25324 has filed a petition to modify
the application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low- and medium-voltage circuits
serving three-phase alternating current equipment; circuit breakers) to
its Lightfoot No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 46-04332) located in Boone County,
West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use contactors to provide
undervoltage grounded phase protection instead of using circuit
breakers, and to use the breakers for short circuit and overcurrent
protection. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
3. Eastern Associated Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-94-180-C]
Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, 800 Laidley Tower, P.O. Box
1233, Charleston, West Virginia 25324 has filed a petition to modify
the application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low- and medium-voltage circuits
serving three-phase alternating current equipment; circuit breakers) to
its Lightfoot No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-04955) located in Boone County,
West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use contactors to provide
undervoltage grounded phase protection instead of using circuit
breakers, and to use the breaker for short circuit and overcurrent
protection. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
4. M & H Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-181-C]
M & H Coal Company, P.O. Box 559, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1
(location of other electric equipment; requirements for permissibility)
to its Mercury Slope (I.D. No. 36-01920) located in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use nonpermissible electric
equipment within 150 feet of the pillar line and to suspend equipment
operation anytime methane concentration at the equipment reaches 0.5
percent, either during operation or during a pre-shift examination. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
5. D.G.W. Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-182-C]
D.G.W. Coal Company, Box 425-B2, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400 (hoisting
equipment; general) to its No. 7 Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-07093) located
in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Because of 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
[[Page 3437]] 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 alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
6. Southern Utah Fuel Company
[Docket No. M-94-183-C]
Southern Utah Fuel Company, 397 South 800 West, Salina, Utah 84654
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 SUFCO Mine (I.D. No. 42-00089) located in
Sevier County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use high-voltage (2400
volts) cable to power longwall equipment. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as would the mandatory standard.
7. Mt. Top Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-184-C]
Mt. Top Coal Company, P.O. Box 71, Tower City, Pennsylvania 17980
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360
(preshift examination) to its Buck Mt. Slope (I.D. No. 36-07359)
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 alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as would the mandatory standard.
8. Mt. Top Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-185-C]
Mt. Top Coal Company, P.O. Box 71, Tower City, Pennsylvania 17980
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b) (1),
(4) and (5) (weekly examination) to its Buck Mt. Slope (I.D. No. 36-
07359) 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 alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would
the mandatory standard.
9. Mt. Top Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-186-C]
Mt. Top Coal Company, P.O. Box 71, Tower City, Pennsylvania 17980
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a)
(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Buck Mt. Slope
(I.D. No. 36-07359) 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
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
10. Mt. Top Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-187-C]
Mt. Top Coal Company, P.O. Box 71, Tower City, Pennsylvania 17980
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200(d) &
(i) (mine map) to its Buck Mt. Slope (I.D. No. 36-07359) 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 1000-foot
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-foot limit through rock tunnels. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
11. Mt. Top Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-188-C]
Mt. Top Coal Company, P.O. Box 71, Tower City, Pennsylvania 17980
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a)
(temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its Buck Mt. Slope
(I.D. No. 36-07359) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The
petitioner proposes to revise and supplement mine maps annually instead
of every 6 months, as required, 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.
12. Knott County Mining Company
[Docket No. M-94-189-C]
Knott County Mining Company, P.O. Box 2805, Pikeville, Kentucky
41502 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.900
(low- and medium-voltage circuits serving three-phase alternating
current equipment; circuit breakers) to its Hollybush Mine No. 1 (I.D.
No. 15-15289) and its Brimstone Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-16893), both
located in Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use
contactors for undervoltage protection instead of using circuit
breakers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
13. Pluess-Staufer (California), Inc.
[Docket No. M-94-47-M]
Pluess-Staufer (California), Inc., P.O. Box 825, Lucerne Valley,
California 92356 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 56.13020 (use of compressed air) to its Limestone Plant (I.D.
No.04-00167) located in San Bernardino County, California. The
petitioner proposes to establish blow-off stations with a low pressure
(2-6 psi) compressed airflow at various areas in the plant for
employees to blow dust off their clothing. The petitioner states that
an OSHA-approved nozzle designed to allow normal line pressure to flow
across a curved entrance to create a vacuum at the back of the nozzle
would be attached to the end of the hose; that rules and procedures for
using the blow-off stations would be posted at each station; and that
application of the mandatory safety standard would result in a
diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, 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 February 16, 1995.
Copies of these [[Page 3438]] petitions are available for inspection at
that address.
Dated: January 10, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-1039 Filed 1-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P