[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46379-46380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23131]


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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. Costain Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-87-C]

    Costain Coal, Inc., PO Box 448, Clay, Kentucky 42404 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 Smith Underground No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-16020) 
located in Webster County, Kentucky. As an alternative method, the 
petitioner proposes to install one CO sensor not more than 100 feet 
downwind of where both the tailpiece and belt drive are located, and at 
intervals not to exceed 2,000 feet along each conveyor belt entry. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will guarantee 
the same measure of protection afforded the miners by the mandatory 
standard and will result in no diminution of safety to the miners.

2. Garrett Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-89-C]

    Garrett Mining, Inc., PO Box 262, Toler, Kentucky 41569 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and 
belt haulage entries) to its No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 15-08079) located in 
Pike County, Kentucky. As an alternative method, the petitioner 
proposes to use belt haulage entries as intake air courses for 
ventilation of active working places, and to install a low-level CO 
monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt 
entries used as intake air courses, under the conditions specified in 
the petition. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method will guarantee no less than the same measure of protection as 
afforded by the mandatory standard.

3. Costain Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-90-C]

    Costain Coal, Inc., PO Box 448, Clay, Kentucky 42404 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible 
electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Smith Underground No. 1 
Mine (I.D. No. 15-16020) located in Webster County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to use a spring-loaded device with specific 
characteristics instead of a padlock to secure plugs and electrical 
type connectors to batteries and to the permissible mobile powered 
equipment the batteries serve. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method will guarantee the same measure of protection 
afforded the miners by the mandatory standard and will result in no 
diminution of safety to the miners.

4. G & P Contractors, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-91-C]

    G & P Contractors, Inc., Route 1, Box 419-A1, Gray, Kentucky 40734 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.380(f)(4)(i) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its 
Stoney Fork Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 15-17909) located in Knox County, 
Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to install two 5-pound or one 10-
pound portable chemical fire extinguisher in the operator's deck of 
each Mescher tractor readily accessible to the operator; to have the 
fire extinguisher inspected daily by the equipment operator prior to 
entering the escapeway; to have the operator make a record of the daily 
inspections and keep them at the mine site; and to have a sufficient 
number of spare fire extinguishers maintained at the mine in case an 
extinguisher becomes defective. The petitioner asserts that this 
petition is based on the safety of the miners.

5. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-97-92-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, 800 Laidley Tower, P.O. Box 1233, Charleston, 
West Virginia 25324 has filed a petition to modify the application of 
30 CFR 75.364 (weekly examination) to its Camp No. 11 Underground Mine 
(I.D. No. 15-08357) located in Union County, Kentucky. Due to hazardous 
roof conditions, continued examination of the slope bottom battery 
charger air course entry would result in a diminution of safety to 
miners. Attempts to rehabilitate these areas would expose miners to 
unnecessary and hazardous work of cleaning falls and re-supporting 
roof, as well as removing props and cribs set to support top in areas 
of questionable roof conditions during the rehabilitation process. As 
an alternative, the petitioner proposes to monitor methane and oxygen 
concentrations and the volume of air at the locations and frequency 
specified in the petition; to have trained and certified persons 
conduct the monitoring; and to record the results of the monitoring in 
a book to be maintained on the surface of the mine. The petitioner 
asserts that implementation of this alternative method will guarantee 
no less than the same measure of protection as that intended by the 
mandatory standard.

6. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-97-93-C]

    Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, Skyline Mines, P.O. Box 719, Scofield, 
Utah 84526 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b)(4) (weekly examination) to its Skyline Mine No. 3 (I.D. No. 
42-01566) located in Carbon County, Utah. Due to hazardous roof 
conditions in the 4 Right area, continued examination of the seals 
would result in a diminution of safety to miners. Rehabilitation of 
this roof would place miners at much greater risk than the proposed 
alternative method. As an alternative, the petitioner proposes to 
isolate the seals using stoppings and to monitor air quality 
immediately inby 4 Right and outby the seals to detect leakage. The 
only travel in this area is by persons conducting regular examinations. 
The petitioner asserts that implementation of this alternative method 
will improve safety for miners.

[[Page 46380]]

7. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-97-94-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) (underground high-voltage cables) to 
its Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-01436) located in Marshall County, West 
Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a high-voltage cable with an 
internal ground check conductor smaller than No. 10 (A.W.G.) as a part 
of its longwall mining system. The petitioner states that the 
alternative method will guarantee no less than the same measure of 
protection as would be provided by 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 October 2, 1997. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
    Dated: August 22, 1997.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 97-23131 Filed 8-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-U