[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