[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55353-55354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26373]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Parts 14, 18, and 75

RIN 1219-AA92


Requirements for Approval of Flame-Resistant Conveyor Belts

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the record; request for public 
comment.

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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening 
the rulemaking record to receive additional test data, technical 
information, and further comment on proposed revisions to its 
regulations for the approval of flame-resistant conveyor belts for use 
in underground coal mines. After the close of the public record, some 
commenters indicated to MSHA that they had obtained or would be 
obtaining flame test data and technical 

[[Page 55354]]
information which MSHA should review and evaluate. This new information 
is relevant to MSHA's proposed rule and the Agency's technical 
assessment of other flammability test data. Also, MSHA has placed the 
Agency's response to questions from certain commenters in the 
rulemaking record for public review.

DATES: Written material and comments must be submitted by December 15, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to MSHA; Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances; 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 631; Arlington, 
VA 22203. Commenters are encouraged to submit comments on a computer 
disk along with a hard copy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, Director; Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances; 703-235-1910.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 24, 1992, MSHA published a proposed rule (57 FR 61524) 
to implement new procedures and requirements for testing and approval 
of flame-resistant conveyor belts and requirements for their use in 
underground coal mines. The proposed revision would replace the 
existing flame test for acceptance of flame-resistant belts specified 
in Agency regulations. The comment period on the proposed rule closed 
on March 26, 1993. Several commenters requested that the Agency hold a 
public hearing on its proposal. The comment period on the proposed rule 
was reopened until April 21, 1995, and on May 2, 1995, MSHA held a 
public hearing in Washington, PA (60 FR 16589, March 31, 1995). The 
post-hearing comment period closed on June 5, 1995.

II. Issues

    Following the close of the post-hearing comment period, a 
manufacturer indicated that additional flammability testing of conveyor 
belts was scheduled using the Factory Mutual conveyor belt flammability 
test (FM test) and invited MSHA to witness that testing. To avoid 
participation in testing where all parties to the rulemaking were not 
invited, and because the record was closed, MSHA neither witnessed 
these tests nor received the results of this testing. Another 
manufacturer also requested that MSHA accept additional flammability 
test data generated from the FM test that were not available during the 
comment period.
    Also, in the comments submitted during the post hearing comment 
period, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and the Bituminous 
Coal Operators' Association (BCOA) jointly submitted 10 questions to 
MSHA. MSHA's response is being placed in the rulemaking record and is 
available to the public from MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, 
and Variances.
    MSHA is reopening the record for 45 days to provide all interested 
parties an opportunity to review the record and to submit additional 
data, test results, and technical information. MSHA encourages all 
interested parties to submit comments prior to the close of the record.

    Dated: October 18, 1995.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 95-26373 Filed 10-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P