[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64372-64374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30895]
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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. Mountain Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-104-C]
Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR to its West Elk
Mine (I.D. No. 05-03672) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The
petitioner proposes to use 1,100 feet of 2/0, type SHD-GC cable on
continuous miners, 1,000 feet of #2, type GC cable on roof bolters, and
1,000 feet of #2, type SHD-GC cable on auxiliary face fans. The
petitioner states that the maximum circuit breaker instantaneous
settings for the cables would be 1,500 amperes, 800 amperes and 800
amperes respectively. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
2. Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-124-C]
Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington
Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.313(c)(1) (main mine fan stoppage
with persons underground) to its Enlow Fork Mine (I.D. No. 36-07416)
located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to
evacuate miners if ventilation is not restored within 15 minutes after
a main mine fan stops; to have certified mine examiners remain in the
mine or enter the mine to conduct an examination after the fan has
operated for at least 15 minutes when the fan is restarted and
ventilation is restored; and to have the miners involved in the
examination evacuate to the surface until the examination is complete.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
3. Cannelton Industries, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-125-C]
Cannelton Industries, Inc., 101 Washington Street, E, Charleston,
West Virginia 25301 has filed a petition to modify the application of
30 CFR 75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) to its Mine No. 140 (I.D.
No. 46-08502) located in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use an extendable 20-foot probe to take methane tests. The
petitioner has outlined in this petition specific procedures to be
followed when using its alternative method. The petitioner states that
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to
the miners. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would be the
mandatory standard.
4. Cannelton Industries, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-126-C]
Cannelton Industries, Inc., 101 Washington Street, E, Charleston,
West Virginia 25301 has filed petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) to its Stockton Mine (Portal
No. 1 and No. 130) (I.D. No. 46-06051) located in Kanawha County, West
Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use an extendable 20-foot probe to
take methane tests. The petitioner has outlined in this petition
specific procedures to be followed when using its alternative method.
The petitioner states that application of the standard would result in
a diminution of safety to the miners. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
5. Martin County Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-96-127-C]
Martin County Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 5002, Inez, Kentucky 41224
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.310(a)(2)
(installation of main mine fans) to its Pegasus Mine (I.D. No. 15-
17330), 1-C Mine (I.D. No. 15-03752), White Cabin Number One Mine (I.D.
No. 15-17531), White Cabin Number Two Mine (I.D. No. 15-17787), Pilgrim
Mine Number Three (I.D. No. 15-17359), and its Voyager Mine Number Two
(I.D. No. 15-17639) all located in Martin County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to implement an audible or visual warning system
using technological redundancies to assure that a main mine fan signal
attracts the attention of a responsible person on mining property
instead of having a person stationed near the main mine fan; and to
have a system that would immediately warn persons underground of a fan
stoppage or slow down. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
6. Harman Mining Corporation
[Docket No. M-96-128-C]
Harman Mining Corporation, P.O. Box 260, Maxie, Virginia 24628 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(a)(1)
(weekly examination) to its 1-A Mine (I.D. No. 44-06500) located in
Buchanan County, Virginia. Due to deterioration of roof and ribs
conditions, traveling certain areas of the intake air course would be
unsafe. The petitioner proposes to establish and maintain two
ventilation check points that would be examined each shift by a
certified person to be sure that the air is traveling in its proper
direction; to record the quantity of air, methane, and oxygen readings;
to have adequately supported roof in the area where traveling to the
check points; to have the examiner record the date, time, and their
initials on a date board and made available to interested parties. The
petitioner states that application of the standard would result in a
diminution of safety to the miners. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
7. Straight Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-129-C]
Straight Creek Mining, Inc., Box 191, Clairfield, Tennessee 37715
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360(a)(1)
(preshift examination) to its Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 40-02353) located in
Clairborne County, Tennessee. The petitioner proposes to make a
preshift examination within 2\1/2\ hours prior to the shift starting
and continue the working shift for 8\1/2\ hours without an additional
preshift examination. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would enhance the safety of the miners.
8. Yellow Creek Corporation
[Docket No. M-96-130-C]
Yellow Creek Corporation, P.O. Box 198, Corbin, Kentucky 40702 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4)(i)
(escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its No.
[[Page 64373]]
2 Mine (I.D. No. 15-16510) located in Whitley County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to install two five pound or one ten pound portable
chemical fire extinguisher in the operator deck of each Mescher Tractor
operated at the mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily accessible
to the operator; to have the equipment operator inspect each fire
extinguisher daily and keep records of the inspections; and to replace
the fire extinguisher if found to be defective. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method is based on the safety of the
miners involved at the mine.
9. Hut Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-131-C]
Hut Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 194, Siler, Kentucky 40763 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4)(i)
(escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its No. 1 Mine (I.D. No.
15-17126) located in Whitley County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes
to install two five pound or one ten pound portable chemical fire
extinguisher in the operator deck of each Mescher Tractor operated at
the mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily accessible to the
operator; to have the equipment operator inspect each fire extinguisher
daily and keep records of the inspections; and to replace the fire
extinguisher if found to be defective. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method is based on the safety of the miners
involved at the mine.
10. Canfield Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-132-C]
Canfield Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1021, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.380(f)(4)(i) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its No. 3
Mine (I.D. No. 15-14730) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to install two five pound or one ten pound portable
chemical fire extinguisher in the operator deck of each Mescher Tractor
operated at the mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily accessible
to the operator; to have the equipment operator inspect each fire
extinguisher daily and keep records of the inspections; and to maintain
a sufficient number of fire extinguishers at the mine in case a
defective fire extinguisher needs to be replaced. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method is based on the safety of
the miners involved at the mine.
11. Summit Anthracite, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-133-C]
Summit Anthracite, Inc., RD #1, Box 12-A, Klingerstown,
Pennsylvania 17941 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 75.340 (underground electrical installations) to its Tracey Vein
Slope (I.D. No. 36-07328) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
The petitioner requests a modification of the standards to permit
battery charging of the mine's locomotive during idle periods when all
miners are out of the mine; and to permit the intake air used to
ventilate the charging station 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.
12. Canfield Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-134-C]
Canfield Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1021, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.380(f)(4)(i) (escapeway; bituminous and lignite mines) to its No. 4
Mine (I.D. No. 15-17716) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to install two five pound or one ten pound portable
chemical fire extinguisher in the operator deck of each Mescher Tractor
operated in the primary escapeway at the mine; to have the fire
extinguisher readily accessible to the operator; to have the equipment
operator inspect each fire extinguisher daily and keep records of the
inspections; and to maintain a sufficient number of fire extinguishers
at the mine in case a defective fire extinguisher needs to be replaced.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method is based on
the safety of the miners involved at the mine.
13. D.J.T. Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-135-C]
D.J.T. Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 358-d, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-
1(a) (temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its D.J.T.
Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) located in Schuylkill 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.
14. D.J.T. Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-136-C]
D.J.T. Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 358-d, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200
(d) and (i) (mine maps) to its D.J.T. Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) located
in Schuylkill 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. D.J.T. Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-137-C]
D.J.T. Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 358-d, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.364(b)(1) (weekly examination) to its D.J.T. Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08454) located in Schuylkill 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 the areas from the gunboat/slope car with an
alternative air quality evaluation at the section's intake level, and
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.
16. D.J.T. Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-138-C]
D.J.T. Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 358-d, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2 (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its D.J.T. Slope
(I.D. No. 36-08454) located in Schuylkill 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
[[Page 64374]]
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would
the mandatory standard.
17. D.J.T. Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-139-C]
D.J.T. Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 358-d, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360
(preshift examination) to its D.J.T. Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) located
in Schuylkill 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 sections. 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.
18. Drummond Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-96-140-C]
Drummond Company, Inc., P.O. Box 10246, Birmingham, Alabama 35202
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(e)
(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Shoal Creek
Mine (I.D. No. 01-02901) located in Jefferson County, Alabama. The
petitioner proposes to use two portable fire extinguishers at
electrical installations instead of a fire extinguisher and 240 pounds
of rock dust. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would
the mandatory standard.
19. U.S. Steel Mining Company
[Docket No. M-96-141-C]
U.S. Steel Mining Company, P.O. Box 2200, Bessemer, Alabama 35021
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.201
(methane content in surface installations) to its Concord Preparation
Plant (I.D. No. 01-00329) located in Jefferson County, Alabama. The
petitioner proposes to use a closed granular coal handling system at
its preparation plant that consists of a series of mechanical flight
conveyors that are installed in a closed system and not accessible
during operation, to transport coal from a thermal dryer to a closed
400-ton storage bin, and then loaded into pressure-differential
railroad cars; to install an atmospheric monitoring system that uses an
aspirating system that samples for various gases at three locations
within the coal handling system at all times during operation; to have
the monitoring system designed so that a warning would be provided at a
manned location whenever the system is operating and designed to
initiate certain actions when certain levels of gas is detected within
the closed system; and to purge the system by injecting nitrogen in
order to keep the levels of oxygen within the system at acceptable
levels. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific
procedures to be followed when using the proposed alternative method.
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.
20. Amax Coal Company
[Docket No. M-96-142-C]
Amax Coal Company, P.O. Box 144, Keensburg, Illinois 62852 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2) (on-
shift examination) to its Wabash Mine (I.D. No. 11-00877) located in
Wabash County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to use an extendable
20-foot probe to take methane tests. The petitioner has outlined in
this petition specific procedures to be followed when using its
alternative method. The petitioner states that application of the
standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners. 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 January 3, 1997.
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: November 26, 1996.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 96-30895 Filed 12-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P