[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 159 (Thursday, August 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42921-42922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20456]



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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. Chenoa Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-102-C]

    Chenoa Coal, Inc., Box 101, Regina, Kentucky 41559 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1 to its No. 3 
Mine (I.D. No. 15-17656) located in Floyd County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to operate the following electric face equipment 
without canopies: One Joy 14CM-1 Continuous Miner; one Long Airdox Roof 
Bolter; two Joy 21 SC Shuttle Cars; and two 482 S & S Scoops. The 
petitioner states that due to ascending and descending grades creating 
dips in the coal bed, installation of canopies on this equipment would 
create hazardous conditions to the equipment operator and as well as to 
other employees in the mine.

2. Coal Miners, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-103-C]

    Coal Miners, Inc., Route 2, Box 130, Equality, Illinois 62934 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 to its 
Eagle Valley Mine (I.D. No. 11-02846) located in Gallatin County, 
Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification to permit the use of 
air coursed through belt haulage entries to be used to ventilate active 
working places for a time period of 180 days from the date belt haulage 
is initiated in the Davis Seam. The petitioner proposes to install a 
low-level carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire 
detection system in the supply road with branches extended to the 
beltline at certain locations and located so that the air is monitored 
at each belt drive and tailpiece, and at intervals not to exceed 2,000 
feet along each conveyor belt entry. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

3. Old Hickory Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-104-C]

    Old Hickory Coal Company, P.O. Box 305, Madison, West Virginia 
25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
77.1304(a) to its Peat's Branch No. 3 Mine (I.D. No. 46-06750) located 
in Logan County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to blend 
recycled oil, a petroleum-based lubrication oil recycled from equipment 
at the mine, with fuel oil to create a blasting agent (ANFO). The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

4. Hobet Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-105-C] and [Docket No. M-95-106-C]

    Hobet Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 305, Madison, West Virginia 25130 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.1304(a) to its 
No. 7 Surface Mine (I.D. No. 46-02249) located in Logan County, West 
Virginia, and its No. 21 Surface Mine (46-04670) located in Boone 
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to blend recycled oil, a 
petroleum-based lubrication oil recycled from equipment at the mine, 
with fuel oil to create a blasting agent (ANFO). The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. Heatherly Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-107-C]

    Heatherly Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 550, Henryetta, Oklahoma 74437 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 to its 
Pollyanna No. 8 Mine (I.D. No. 34-01787) located in Le Flore County, 
Oklahoma. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine through oil and gas 
wells. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

6. Lambert Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-108-C]

    Lambert Coal Company, P.O. Box 394, Nora, Virginia 24272 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710 to its Mine No. 
44 (I.D. No. 44-05210) located in Dickenson County, Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to operate the following electric face equipment 
without canopies: One Simmons Rand 500 Continuous Miner; one Simmons 
Rand TD-2AM Dual Head Roof Bolter; two S & S 21SC Shuttle Cars; one S & 
S 74 Scoop; and one S & S 484 Scoop. The petitioner states that the use 
of canopies on this electric face equipment would create a hazard to 
the equipment operator.

7. Key West Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-109-C]

    Key West Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 768, Grundy, Virginia 24614 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362 to its Mine 
No. 3 (I.D. No. 44-03264) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The 
petitioner requests relief from the standard requiring on-shift 
examinations of underground conveyor belts in its entirety. The 
petitioner states that the area cannot be traveled safely due to 
deteriorating roof conditions in the No. 1 conveyor belt entry starting 
at a location approximately 170 feet from the surface and extending for 
a distance of approximately 90 feet. As an alternative, the petitioner 
proposes to visually examine the 90 feet area affected from either side 
of the adverse roof conditions; to have firefighting equipment with fog 
nozzles stationed on both sides of the adverse roof conditions; to 
install a mine phone and belt control switch on the inby end of the 
adverse roof conditions; and to have a certified person at the inby end 
of the adverse roof conditions at all times to conduct tests of the 
carbon monoxide level every 30 minutes while the No. 1 belt is in 
operation. The petitioner states that application of the standard would 
result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the 
petitioner 

[[Page 42922]]
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 September 18, 1995. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: August 9, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-20456 Filed 8-16-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P