[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52217-52219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24743]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

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. Amax Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-116-C]
    Amax Coal Company, 9100 East Mineral Circle, Englewood, Colorado 
80112 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its Wabash Mine (I.D. No. 11-
00877) located in Wabash County, Illinois. Due to deteriorating roof 
and rib conditions and accumulations of water in certain areas of the 
return air course, the area cannot be traveled safely. The petitioner 
proposes to establish evaluation points to monitor the affected area. 
The evaluation points would be established at crosscut #76 at the 3 
South/4 East connection to monitor the air entering the Old 3 South/4 
East and 5 East from the 3 South/4 East connection point and the Main 
South, and at crosscuts #186 and #196 in the Main south to monitor the 
air exiting the area; to have a certified person test for methane and 
the quantity of air at each station on a weekly basis and to record 
their initials, date, time, and results of the examinations in a book 
kept on the surface and made available for inspection by interested 
persons. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

2. Snyder Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-117-C]
    Snyder Coal Company, R.D. #2, Box 93, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200(d) & 
(i) (mine map) to its N & L Slope (I.D. No. 36-02203) located in 
Northumberland 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 1,000-foot 
intervals of advance from the intake slope and to limit the required 
mapping of mine workings above and below to those present within 100 
feet of the veins 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.

3. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-118-C]
    Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) (underground high- voltage cables) to 
its Robinson Run No. 95 Mine (I.D. No. 46- 01318) located in Harrison 
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use high-voltage 
cables (4,160-volts) with an internal ground check conductor smaller 
than No. 10 A.W.G as a part of its longwall mining system. The type of 
cables would be CABLEC/BICC Anaconda brand, 5kV, 3/C, Type SHD+GC; 
Amercable Tiger brand, 3/C, 5kV, Type SHD-CGC; Pirelli 5kV, 3/C, Type 
SHD- CENTER-GC; or similar 5,000-volt cable with a center ground check 
conductor, but otherwise manufactured to the ICEA Standard S-75- 381 
for Type SHD, three-conductor cables. The petitioner states that the 
cable construction would be symmetrical 3/C, 3/G, and 1/GC; that the 
ground check conductor would be an insulated flexible center conductor 
with a cross-sectional area not less than 1,800 circular mils; that all 
personnel who perform maintenance on the longwall would receive 
training in the installation and repair of the cable before the 
alternative method is implemented; and that proposed revisions for its 
approved 30 CFR Part 48 training plan would be submitted to the Coal 
Mine Safety and Health District Manager within 60 days after a decision 
has been made on this petition and that these revisions would specify 
task training, including review of the above terms and conditions for 
the miners affected. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Doverspike Bros. Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-119-C]
    Doverspike Bros. Coal Company, Inc., R.D. #4, Box 271, 
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania 15767 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.380(d)(4) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite 
mines) to its Dora No. 6 Mine (I.D. No. 36-06583) located in Jefferson 
County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to maintain an alternate 
escapeway that would have a travelway with a minimum width of four feet 
and a total of 350 lineal feet instead of the required six-foot-wide 
escapeway. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

5. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-120-C]
    Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) 
(underground high-voltage cables) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No. 
42-01211) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification to its previously granted petition, docket number M-94-
107-C, to use the Cablec Anaconda Brand 5KV 3/C type SHD+GC, Pirelli 
5KV 3/C type SHD-Center-GC, or Tiger Brand 5KV type SHC-CGC on high-
voltage longwall equipment, to include its new Trail Mountain Mine. The 
petitioner states that the Trail Mountain Mine is an extension of the 
Cottonwood Mine (I.D. No. 42-01944) with similar mining conditions and 
that mine personnel and mining equipment are systematically being 
transferred to this new mine as mining reserves are depleted. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

6. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-121-C]
    Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a) 
(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Trail Mountain 
Mine (I.D. No. 42-01211) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner 
requests a modification to its previously granted petition, docket 
number M-91-092-C, to use fire extinguishers instead of rock dust at 
temporary electrical installations, to include its new Trail Mountain 
Mine. The petitioner states that the Trail Mountain Mine is an 
extension of the Cottonwood Mine (I.D. No. 42-01944) with similar 
mining conditions and that mine personnel and mining equipment are 
systematically being transferred to this new mine as mining reserves 
are depleted. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at 

[[Page 52218]]
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

7. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-122-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.332(b)(1) and (b)(2) (working sections and working places) to 
its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use air passing through 
inaccessible abandoned workings and additional areas by mixing with the 
air in the intake haulage slope to ventilate the only active working 
section, to ensure air quality by sampling intake air during preshift 
and on-shift examinations, and to suspend mine production when air 
quality fails to meet specified criteria. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

8. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-123-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.335 (construction of seals) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08447) located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the standard to permit alternative methods 
of construction using wooden materials of moderate size and weight due 
to the difficulty in accessing previously driven headings and breasts 
containing inaccessible abandoned workings; to accept a design criteria 
in the 10 psi range; and to permit the water trap to be installed in 
the gangway seal and sampling tube in the monkey seal for seals 
installed in pairs. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

9. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-124-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.340 (underground electrical installations) to its No. 1 Slope 
(I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner proposes to charge its batteries on the mine's locomotive 
during idle periods when all miners have been removed from the mine and 
to allow the intake air used to ventilate the charging stations, 
located at the No. 1 chute of the active gangway level, to continue 
through its normal route to the last open crosscut and into the monkey 
airway (return). The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

10. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-125-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.360 (preshift examination) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08447) located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
proposes to visually 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.

11. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-126-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.364(b) (1), (4) and (5) (weekly examination) to its No. 1 Slope 
(I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland 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 throughly 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.

12. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-127-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.1002-1 (location of other electric equipment; requirements for 
permissibility) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in 
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use 
nonpermissible electric equipment within 150 feet of the pillar line 
and to suspend equipment operation anytime the 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.

13. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-128-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.1100-2 (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its 
No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland 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.

14. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-129-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.1200 (d) & (i) (mine map) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) 
located in Northumberland 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 
1,000-foot intervals of advance from the intake slope and to limit the 
required mapping of the mine workings above and below to those present 
within 100 feet of the veins 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.

15. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-130-C]
    H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights, 
Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the 

[[Page 52219]]
application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a) (temporary notations, revisions, and 
supplements) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in 
Northumberland 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.

16. Performance Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-131-C]
    Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 89, Naoma, West Virginia 25140 
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 Upper Big Branch South Mine (I.D. No. 46-
08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The petitioner 
proposes to use high-voltage (4,160 volts) cables 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.

17. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-95-132-C and M-95-133-C]
    Martin County Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 5002, Inez, Kentucky 41224 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-4(a) 
(automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; installation; 
minimum requirements) to its Pegasus Mine (I.D. No. 15-17330) and its 
White Cabin Mine Number One (I.D. No. 15-17531), both located in Martin 
County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
standard to allow that the mine not be required at all times to 
specifically identify the belt flight from which a sensor indicates a 
possible fire. The petitioner states that its present system consists 
of a series of enhanced safety factors of rapid and effective 
communications and rapid response in the event of an activation of an 
automatic fire warning device and safe, direct, and effective means of 
evacuation of underground mines. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

18. Pilgrim Mining Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-134-C through M-95-136-C]
    Pilgrim Mining Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 2046, Inez, Kentucky 
41224 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-
4(a) (automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; installation; 
minimum requirements) to its Voyager Mine Number One (I.D. No. 15-
17585); its Voyager Mine Number Two (I.D. No. 15-17639); and its 
Pilgrim Mine Number Three (I.D. No. 17359), all located in Martin 
County, Kentucky. Petitioner requests a modification of the standard to 
allow that the mine not be required at all times to specifically 
identify the belt flight from which a sensor indicates a possible fire. 
The petitioner states that its present system consists of a series of 
enhanced safety factors of rapid and effective communications and rapid 
response in the event of an activation of an automatic fire warning 
device and safe, direct, and effective means of evacuation of 
underground mines. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

19. National King Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-137-C]
    National King Coal, Inc., 4424 County Road 120, Hesperus, Colorado 
81326 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.380(d)(4)(ii) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its King 
Coal Mine (I.D. No. 05-00266) located in La Plata County, Colorado. The 
petitioner proposes to have a secondary escapeway that passes through 
an 80-inch diameter metal culvert for a distance of about 20 feet 
running lengthwise and a row of supplemental roof support down the 
center, limiting the width of the secondary escapeway to about 40 
inches on each side of the roof supports instead of the required 48 
inches; to post signs in the secondary escapeway area leading to the 
metal culvert area that would read ``Caution--Close Clearance''; and to 
provide training for all existing and future underground employees on 
the existence of the narrow length of the escapeway, and the methods 
and practices of carrying a stretcher through a 40-inch opening. 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 November 6, 1995. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: September 27, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-24743 Filed 10-4-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P