[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 124 (Wednesday, June 28, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33437-33438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15788]



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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. Birdeye Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-83-C]

    Birdeye Coal Company, Inc., HC 66, Box 494, Artemus, Kentucky 40903 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342 
(methane monitors) to its No. 4 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17676) located in 
Knox County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to monitor continuously 
with a hand-held methane and oxygen detector instead of using machine-
mounted methane monitors on three-wheel tractors with drag bottom 
buckets. The petitioner states that this petition request is based on 
the safety of the miners involved.

2. Old Ben Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-84-C]

     Old Ben Coal Company, P.O. Box 270, Edgarton, West Virginia 25672 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b) (1) 
and (2) (weekly examination) to its Mine No. 20 (I.D. No. 46-02052) 
located in Mingo County, West Virginia. Due to deteriorating roof 
conditions in the intake and return air courses of the Alma ``C'' seam 
(lower seam), the area cannot be traveled [[Page 33438]] safely. The 
petitioner proposes to establish evaluation points to measure the 
quantity and direction of airflow entering and leaving each airway in 
the affected area; to have a certified person examine the check points 
on a weekly basis and record the results in an approved record book; to 
provide a date board at the evaluation points; to maintain the 
evaluation stations and the approaches to the station in safe 
condition; and to investigate immediately any change in air quantity 
and quality. The petitioner states that application of the 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.

3. Westmoreland Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-85-C]

    Westmoreland Coal Company, P.O. Box 553, Charleston, West Virginia 
25322 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.380(f)(1) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its 
Pierrepont Mine (I.D. No. 44-06206) located in Wise County, Virginia. 
The petitioner proposes to have battery charging stations in the 
primary escapeway; to install a low-level early warning smoke detection 
sensor in all intake aircourses used as primary escapeways and to have 
the sensor located so that the air is monitored at a point 50 feet inby 
the crosscut; and to have the intake air ventilating the crosscuts 
coursed into the return be of sufficient velocity to prevent rollback 
around the check curtains, and not be used to ventilate working places. 
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 July 28, 1995. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: June 20, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-15788 Filed 6-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P