[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23797-23800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11342]
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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. Wilderness Mining Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-17-C]
Wilderness Mining Company, P.O. Box 459, Lyburn, West Virginia
25632 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) to its Alloy No. 1 Mine (I.D. No.
46-08007) located in Fayette County, West Virginia. The petitioner
requests a modification of the standard to allow the use of a methane
detector with a visible digital readout attached with a magnet to the
side of the miner ripper head while it is trammed to the face, to
conduct a methane test in intervals not to exceed 20 minutes during the
mining of each extended cut; to take a methane test at the completion
of mining each extended cut to preclude the roof bolter operator from
having to take a test prior to entering the area; to conduct a methane
test using a 20 foot extendable probe, from the second row of bolts
inby prior to any electrical equipment being operated in this working
place; to have a methane monitor with a digital readout located on
every roof bolting machine with the sensor head on the ATRS unit and
set to deenergize when the methane reading is 1.0 percent or more; and
to conduct a test for methane on the return side of all face line
curtains at the second row of bolts in areas where the faces are not
bolted when on-shift examinations are made. The petitioner states that
application of the mandatory 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.
2. Meadow River Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-18-C]
Meadow River Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 459, Lyburn, West
Virginia 25632 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) to its Meadow River No. 1 Mine
(I.D. No. 46-03467) located in Fayette County, West Virginia. The
petitioner requests a modification of the standard to allow the use of
a methane detector with a visible digital readout attached with a
magnet to the side of the miner ripper head while it is trammed to the
face, to conduct a methane test in intervals not to exceed 20 minutes
during the mining of each extended cut; to take a methane test at the
completion of mining each extended cut to preclude the roof bolter
operator from having to take a test prior to entering the area; to
conduct a methane test using a 20 foot extendable probe from the second
row of bolts inby prior to any electrical equipment being operated in
this working place; to have a methane monitor with a digital readout
located on every roof bolting machine with the sensor head on the ATRS
unit and set to deenergize when the methane reading is 1.0 percent or
more; and to conduct a test for methane on the return side of all face
line curtains at the second row of bolts in areas where the faces are
not bolted when on-shift examinations are made. The petitioner states
that application of the mandatory 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. C & H Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-19-C]
C & H Mining Company, HC 73, Box 168, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342
(methane monitors) to its No. 8 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17882) located in
Knox County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use hand-held
continuous-duty methane and oxygen indicators instead of machine
mounted methane monitors on permissible three-wheel tractors. The
petitioner asserts that this petition is based on the safety of miners.
4. Becky Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-20-C]
Becky Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 171, 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 Blue Gem Mine (I.D.
No. 15-16247) located in Whitley County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to install two number five or one number ten portable chemical
fire extinguisher in the operator's deck of each Mescher tractor
operated at its mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily accessible
to the operator; and to have each fire extinguisher inspected daily by
the equipment operator prior to entering the escapeway and if any
defects are found replace the extinguisher before entering. The
petitioner asserts that this petition is based on the safety of the
miners.
5. D.J.T Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-21-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 75.901
(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used
underground) to its D.J.T Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification
of the standard to permit the use of an alternative method of
compliance for the mines existing 480 volts 3-phase ungrounded Delta
system providing power to the underground stationary electrical
equipment instead of installing steel armored or grounded rigid steel
conduit. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific
procedures for implementing its alternative method. In addition, the
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
6. Brookside Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-22-C]
Brookside Coal Company, General Delivery, Spring Glen, Pennsylvania
17978 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1405
(automatic couplers) to its Diamond Vein Slope Mine (I.D. No. 36-08456)
located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to permit the use of bar and pin or link
and pin
[[Page 23798]]
couplers on its underground haulage equipment. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
7. E & E Fuels
[Docket No. M-97-23-C]
E & E Fuels, P.O. Box 265, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981 has filed a
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1405 (automatic
couplers) to its Orchard Slope Mine (I.D. No. 36-08346) located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification
of the standard to permit the use of bar and pin or link and pin
couplers on its underground haulage equipment. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
8. RoxCoal Incorporated
[Docket No. M-97-24-C]
RoxCoal Incorporated, P.O. Box 149, Freudians, Pennsylvania 15541
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2)
(on-shift examination) to its Diamond T B Mine (I.D. No. 36-08223); its
Diamond T C Mine (I.D. No. 36-08214); and its Longview Mine (I.D. No.
36-03248) all located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner
proposes to use a 20 foot probe to make methane tests from the last row
of permanent roof supports when the roof bolting machine enters a
working place and to conduct the required twenty minute tests for the
roof bolter. 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.
9. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-25-C]
CONSOL. of Kentucky, Inc., Consol. Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water sprinkler systems; arrangement
of sprinklers) to its E3RF Mine (I.D. No. 15-17894) located in Knott
County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a single overhead pipe
system with \1/2\-inch orifice automatic sprinklers located on 10-foot
centers, located to cover 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet of
non-fire resistant belt, with actuation temperatures between 200 and
230 degrees Fahrenheit, and with water pressure equal to or greater
than 10 psi; and to have the sprinklers located not more than 10 feet
apart so that the discharge of water will extend over the belt drive,
belt take-up, electrical control, and gear reducing unit. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
10. Kiah Creek Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-26-C]
Kiah Creek Mining Company, P.O. Box 1409, Pikeville, Kentucky 41502
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4)
(weekly examination) to its No. 14 Mine (I.D. No. 15-16501) located in
Pike County, Kentucky. Due to a roof fall in front of the No. 3 Seal,
traveling the area to physically examine the seal would be unsafe. The
petitioner proposes to check the inby and outby sides of the entry
daily to determine air quality, quantity, and the percentage of methane
on each side of the fall in the entry. The petitioner asserts that its
alternative method would provide a safe procedure without having to
clean up the fall.
11. Arclar Company
[Docket No. M-97-27-C]
Arclar Company, 29 West Raymond, P.O. Box 444, Harrisburg, Illinois
62946 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Big Ridge Mine (I.D. No.
11-02879) located in Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes
to use intake air from belt haulage entries to ventilate the active
working places. The petitioner proposes to install and maintain a
carbon monoxide monitoring system along the beltline. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
12. Maple Meadow Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-28-C]
Maple Meadow Mining Company, General Delivery, Fairdale, West
Virginia 25839 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.503 (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Maple
Meadow Mine (I.D. No. 46-03374) located in Raleigh County, West
Virginia. The petitioner proposes to replace a padlock on battery plug
connectors on mobile battery-powered machines with a threaded ring and
a spring loaded device to prevent the plug connector from accidently
disengaging while under load. The petitioner states that application of
the standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
13. Apogee Coal Company d/b/a Arch of Illinois
[Docket No. M-97-29-C]
Apogee Coal Company d/b/a/ Arch of Illinois, P.O. Box 308, Percy,
Illinois 62272-0308 has filed a petition to modify the application of
30 CFR 75.323 (actions for excessive methane) to its Conant Mine (I.D.
No. 11-02886) located in Perry County, Illinois. Due to the layout of
the Archveyor system and its corresponding section power
system, the petitioner proposes to have the section's transformer
located in the intake air/power entry and maintained at least 300 feet
away from any type of mining (development or secondary mining/winging).
The petitioner states that the intake would feed the air to the active
working face, the gob area, and around the bleeder system. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
14. Bridger Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-30-C]
Bridger Coal Company, P.O. Box 2068, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82902
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.1607(n)
(loading and haulage equipment; operation) to its Bridger Mine (I.D.
No. 48-00677) located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The petitioner
requests a modification of the standard to allow light and medium duty
mobile equipment of 50,000 pounds MGVW or less, on which the park brake
function is a component of the transmission, to be stabilized when left
unattended: (a) with one set of double chock blocks, connected as a
single unit, placed around (in front and in back of) one tire of the
equipment; or (b) setting the brakes. The petitioner states that
whether chock blocks or brakes are used, the front wheels of the
equipment would be turned into a bank or berm if parked on a grade. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
15. Bear Ridge Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-31-C]
Bear Ridge Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 255, Tazewell, Virginia 24651 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1
(canopies or cabs; self-propelled electric face equipment; installation
requirements) to its No. 1
[[Page 23799]]
Mine (I.D. No. 44-06227) located in Tazewell County, Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to operate self-propelled electric face equipment
without cabs or canopies. The petitioner states that application of the
standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
16. Eastern Associated Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-97-32-C]
Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, 800 Laidley Tower, 500 Lee
Street, P.O. Box 1233, Charleston, West Virginia 25324 has filed a
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and
belt haulage entries) to its Harris/Rocklick Coal Handling Facility
(I.D. No. 46-08610) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to mine using a two-entry system with the conveyor
haulageway located in the return air course, during development of a
coal handling facility (tunnel) between two (2) existing preparation
plants; the Harris Preparation Plant, MSHA I.D. No. 46-03135, WVDEP 0-
72-82; and the Rocklick Preparation Plant, MSHA I.D. No. 46-06448. The
petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as
an early warning fire detection system in the belt entry and primary
escapeway of all two-entry developments; and to install sensors in the
belt entry and primary escapeway near the center and in the upper third
of the entry in a location where exposure to unsafe situations by
personnel working on the system would be prevented. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
17. Peabody Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-33-C]
Peabody Coal Company, 1214 Marissa Road, Marissa, Illinois 62257
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 Marissa Mine (I.D. No. 11-02440) located in
Washington County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to use high-
voltage trailing cables (2400-volt) inby the last open crosscut at the
sections where continuous miners are working. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
18. Tanoma Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-34-C]
Tanoma Mining Company, 1809 Chestnut Avenue, P.O. Box 25,
Barnesboro, Pennsylvania 15714 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.326 (now 75.350) (air courses and belt haulage
entries) to its Tanoma Mine (I.D. No. 36-06967) located in Indiana
County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests that paragraph 1B of
petition for modification, docket no. M-90-78-C be amended to add the
following sentence at the end of the paragraph: When pillaring, the
inby sensor is to be located at least 150 feet but no more than 160
feet from the inby end of the RFM. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
19. Birdeye Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-35-C]
Birdeye Coal Company, Inc., HC 66, Box 494, Artemus, Kentucky 40903
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.380(f)(4)(i) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its No. 4
Mine (I.D. No. 15-17676) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to install two number five or one number ten
portable chemical fire extinguisher in the operator's deck of each
Mescher tractor at its mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily
accessible to the operator; and to have each fire extinguisher
inspected daily by the equipment operator prior to entering the
escapeway. If any defects are found, the extinguisher will be replaced
before entering the escapeway. The petitioner asserts that this
petition is based on the safety of the miners.
20. Long Branch Energy
[Docket No. M-97-36-C]
Long Branch Energy, P.O. Box 776, Danville, West Virginia 25053 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503(18.41)(f)
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its No. 22 Mine
(I.D. No. 46-08583) located in Logan County, West Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to replace a padlock on battery plug connectors on
mobile battery-powered machines with a threaded ring and a spring
loaded device to prevent the plug connector from accidently disengaging
while under load. 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.
21. Texas Utilities Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-37-C]
Texas Utilities Mining Company, 1601 Bryan Street, Energy Plaza,
18th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 77.807-3 (movement of equipment; minimum distance
from high-voltage lines) to its Beckville Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-
02632), and its Tatum Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-03659) located in Panola
County, Texas; its Oak Hill Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-03660) located in
Rusk County, Texas; its Winfield South Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-03658),
and its Winfield North Strip (I.D. No. 41-01900) located in Titus
County, Texas. The petitioner requests a modification of the standards
to permit various pieces of equipment to pass under or by the overhead
high voltage power lines (25,000 volts) used in TUMCO's electric
railway/catenary system (the ``Electrified Railroad'') with a minimum
of three feet of clearance between the equipment and the power line.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
22. Lion Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-38-C]
Lion Mining Company, P.O. Box 209, Jennerstown, Pennsylvania 15547
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2)
(on-shift examination) to its Grove No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 36-02398)
located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to
use a 20-foot probe to make methane tests from the last row of
permanent roof supports when the roof bolting machine enters a working
place and to conduct the required twenty minute tests for the roof
bolter. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
23. Spruce Fork Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-39-C]
Spruce Fork Coal Company, Inc., Route 6, Box 543, Buckhannon, West
Virginia 26201 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.503(b)(2) (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its
Spruce Fork Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-08622) located in Upshur County,
West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a spring loaded locking
device, instead of padlocks to secure battery plugs to
[[Page 23800]]
machine mounted receptacles, that would prevent the threaded lock ring
on a plug from turning and becoming loose unintentionally. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
24. Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-02-M]
Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc., P.O. Box 29, Elko, Nevada 89803 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.6309(b) (fuel
oil requirements for ANFO) to its Barrick Goldstrike Mine (I.D. No. 26-
01089) located in Elko County, Nevada. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to allow the use of used crankcase oil
blended with diesel fuel to prepare ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO)
for blasting. The petitioner has listed in this petition specific
details for using crankcase oil, and steps that would be taken to
ensure the continued health and safety of the miners.
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 June 2, 1997. Copies
of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: April 24, 1997.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 97-11342 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P