[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 97 (Friday, May 19, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 26903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12347]



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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. Black Gem Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-63-C]

    Black Gem Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 1257, Pikeville, Kentucky 41502 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710 
(canopies or cabs) to its No. 3 Mine (I.D. No. 15-12303) located in 
Floyd County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to operate its No. 2 
(482 S & S Scoop) without a canopy due to 28 feet of substandard 
conditions and a height of approximately 28 inches to 32 inches. The 
petitioner states that the mine is located in the Elkhorn No. 3 seam 
and the height of the seam is very irregular, ranging from 28 inches to 
96 inches; that the scoop's primary function is for cleaning and 
dusting, hauling timbers, brattice blocks, and for keeping the return 
airways free from obstructions on the No. 1 and No. 2 entry; and that 
periodically, because of the design of the solid state controls on the 
scoop, the scoop must be used out of its primary function due to 
dampness that occurs when not operated frequently rendering the scoop 
inoperable. The petitioner asserts that application of the standard 
would result in a diminution of safety to the equipment operator.

2. Shady Lane Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-95-64-C]

    Shady Lane Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 776, Grundy, Virginia 24614 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.214(a) 
(refuse piles; general) to its Mine No. 4 (I.D. No. 44-06651) located 
in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner requests a modification of 
the standard to allow construction of a refuse fill in an area 
containing abandoned mine openings. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

3. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-65-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1201, Huntington, Utah 84528 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) 
(underground high-voltage cables) to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 
42-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard to permit the use of Anaconda Type SHD+GC, 
Pirelli Type SHD-CENTER-GC, and Tiger Brand Type SHD-CGC flame-
resistant cables with a flexible No. 16 (A.W.G.) ground check conductor 
for the ground continuity check circuit. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Shell Energy Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-66-C]

    Shell Energy Company, Inc., P.O. Box 423, Fairmont, West Virginia 
26554 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its Stacy-Meranda Mine (I.D. No. 
46-08086) located in Harrison County, West Virginia. Due to hazardous 
roof conditions in the No. 3 return air course from 130 feet into the 
pitt mouth to the No. 7 crosscut, traveling the affected area in its 
entirety would be unsafe. The petitioner proposes to establish monitor 
points ``A'' and ``B'' to test for methane and quantity of air in the 
affected area; to have a certified person examine each monitor point on 
a weekly basis and record the results in a record book kept on the 
surface available for inspection by interested persons; to record daily 
examinations of the water gauge at the main fan in a record book kept 
on the surface; to cease mining if a 10 percent change occurs in the 
water gauge on the active section until corrective action has been 
made; to cease mining if a 10 percent decrease in the quantity of air 
is measured at either monitor point ``A'' or ``B'' in the active 
section until corrective action has been made; and to cease mining if 
an increase of .05 per centum of methane is detected at either monitor 
point in the active section until corrective action has been made. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

5. Hunt Midwest Mining, Inc., Licausi Services Company, Holland 
Corporation, Amerigold Corporation, Missouri Rock, Inc., and Parkville 
Stone Company

[Docket No. M-95-07-M]

    Hunt Midwest Mining, Inc., Route 13, 4th Street & Randolph Road, 
Randolph, Missouri 64161 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 49.8 (training for mine rescue teams) to its Randolph Mine 
(I.D. No. 23-00154) located in Clay County, Missouri. The petitioner is 
requesting this modification for The Kansas City Mine Rescue Teams and 
states that the following underground mining companies would also be 
affected by this modification: Lacausi Services Company, Carefree 
Quarries (I.D. No. 23-00007) located in Jackson County, Missouri; 
Holland Corporation, Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 14-00761) located in Johnson 
County, Kansas; Amerigold Corporation, Inland Quarries (I.D. No. 14-
00159) located in Wyandotte County, Kansas; Missouri Rock, Inc., 
Missouri Rock, Inc. Mine (I.D. No. 23-01981) located in Clay County, 
Missouri; and Parkville Stone Company, Parkville Stone Mine (I.D. No. 
23-01883) located in Platte County, Missouri. The petitioner requests a 
modification to allow training requirements to be met at different time 
frames. The petitioner proposes to conduct training three hours under 
oxygen four times annually for twelve hours instead of two hours every 
other month for the same annual hours; and to hold training six times 
annually with equipment checks monthly, and to reserve two sessions for 
annual physicals and first aid training. 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 June 19, 1995. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: May 11, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-12347 Filed 5-18-95; 8:45 am]
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