[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9866-9868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4228]
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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. Serendipity Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M-95-01-C]
Serendipity Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 1588, Barbourville, Kentucky
40906 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342
(methane monitors) to its No. 4 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17568) located in
Whitley County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to monitor
continuously with a hand-held methane and oxygen detector instead of
using a methane monitoring system on permissible three-wheel tractors
with [[Page 9867]] drag bottom buckets. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
2. Windsor Coal Company.
[Docket No. M-95-02-C]
Windsor Coal Company, P.O. Box 39, West Liberty, West Virginia
26074 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.364(b)(1) and (2) (weekly examination) to its Windsor Mine (I.D. No.
46-01286) located in Brooke County, West Virginia. Due to deteriorating
roof and rib conditions in the left side return air course of the East
Mains from the 0+00 to 66+00 for a distance of approximately 6,600
feet, traveling or restoration of the affected area would be unsafe.
The petitioner proposes to examine the area on a weekly basis by
establishing check points G--No. 1 entry at approximately 0+50, and H--
No. 1 entry at approximately 66+00; to examine the 1 North bleeder
seal, 1 North seals, East Main seals, and 2 North seals (22 seals
total); to have a certified person test for methane and the quantity of
air at all check points on a weekly basis and record the results in a
book kept on the surface and made available for inspection by
interested persons; to install stoppings at the equalizing overcasts at
approximately 23+00 and 65+00 to prevent the mixing of right side and
left side returns; and to install a stopping at approximately 0+50 in
the No. 2 entry to direct all air to check point ``G''. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
3. Rosebud Mining Company.
[Docket No. M-95-03-C]
Rosebud Mining Company, Box 324 B, R.D. 2, Parker, Pennsylvania
16049 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.333
(ventilation controls) to its Rosebud No. 3 Mine (I.D. No. 36-07843)
located in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to
use temporary ventilation controls on the intake side in the room
necking procedure for rooms to be developed less than 600 feet. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
4. R. & R. Anthracite Coal Company.
[Docket No. M-95-04-C]
R. & R. Anthracite Coal Company, R. R. 2, Box 21 B, Hegins,
Pennsylvania 17938 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 75.1400 (hoisting equipment; general) to its Buck Mt. Slope (I.D.
No. 36-08498) 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 the gunboat to transport persons, the petitioner proposes to use
hoisting rope with a safety factor at least 3 times greater than
required and secondary safety connections which are securely fastened
around the gunboat and to the hoisting rope above the main connection
device. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
5. Consolidation Coal Company.
[Docket No. M-94-05-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires and trolley
feeder wires, high-voltage cables and transformers) to its Buchanan
Mine (I.D. No. 44-04856) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to use high-voltage cables (4,160 volts) in by the
last open crosscut. 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
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
6. C. S. & S. Coal Corporation.
[Docket No. M-95-06-C]
C. S. & S. Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 1234, Grundy, Virginia 24614
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710
(canopies or cabs; electric face equipment) to its No. 7 Mine (I.D. No.
44-06762) located in Russell County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes
to operate electric mobile equipment without canopies in seam heights
up to 48 inches. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would not result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
7. Texasgulf, Inc.
[Docket No. M-95-01-M]
Texasgulf, Inc., P.O. Box 171, Weeping Water, Nebraska 68463 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11041 (landings
for inclined ladderways) to its Limestone Mine (I.D. No. 25-00554)
located in Cass County, Nebraska. The petitioner proposes to have two
portals at the mine to serve as the primary and secondary escapeways.
The petitioner proposes to have a vertical vent shaft 36 inches in
diameter and 125 feet tall as an auxiliary escapeway for a extra safety
measure in case the primary and secondary portals become blocked; and
as an additional escapeway, the petitioner proposes to install a ladder
with rungs 8 inches from the wall to the center of the rung and with a
15 inch x 10 inch step off point every 20 feet. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
8. Aluminum Company of America
[Docket No. M-95-02-M]
Aluminum Company of America, State Highway 35, Point Comfort, Texas
77978 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.9300
(berms or guardrails) to its Bayer Alumina Plant (I.D. No. 41-00320)
located in Calhoun County, Texas. The petitioner requests a
modification of the mandatory standard to allow continued use of its
already established methods of compliance of having signs posted at the
entrances to the impoundment area stating that the roadways are not
bermed; delineators at 25 feet intervals along the perimeter of the
elevated roadways; the maximum speed limit posted at 15 mph on the
elevated roadways; road surfaces well maintained with necessary repairs
following periods of inclement weather. The petitioner has a locked,
remotely operated electric gate at the main entrance to the impoundment
area with 24 hour security, 7 days a week via closed circuit camera and
TV monitor. Access to the gate is by permission only via telephones
which are located outside the gate, or by two-way radios for
maintenance personnel. 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
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 [[Page 9868]] received in that office on or before March
24, 1995. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at
that address.
Dated: February 10, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-4228 Filed 2-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P