[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63727-63729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31580]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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-97-117-C]
Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1906(e) and (f)
(transport of diesel fuel) to its West Elk Mine (I.D. No. 05-03672)
located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use
1700 gallons of diesel fuel that would be transported at one time on a
diesel fuel transportation unit with the tank permanently fixed to the
unit, with a total capacity no greater than 1700 gallons of diesel
fuel. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
2. Arch of Kentucky
[Docket No. M-97-118-C]
Arch of Kentucky, P.O. Box 787, Lynch, Kentucky 40855 has filed a
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360(b)(9) (preshift
examination) to its 37 Mine (I.D. No. 15-04670) located in Harlan
County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a variance for three
different isolated locations involving dewatering pumps and the
associated electrics located at the 95 and 96 Crosscuts--Main Track
Heading, the 150 Crosscut--Main Track Heading, and the 34 Crosscut L-
14. The petitioner proposes to have the electrical installations
ventilated by a separate intake split of air that would be ventilated
directly into the return where no employees regularly work in the
vicinity or by the electrical installations; to install a carbon
monoxide detection sensor at each location that would be monitored at
all times while employees are underground and to implement the preshift
requirement in the event the carbon monoxide system becomes
inoperative, until the system is repaired; and to inspect the
electrical installations for hazardous conditions on a weekly basis.
The petitioner states that the excessive travel to the three locations
specified in this petition would result in a diminution of safety
because the fireboss is traveling alone each shift for long distances
to remote areas of the mine.
3. The Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-119-C]
The Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Company, P.O. Box 6518,
Englewood, Colorado 80155-6518 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible electric face equipment;
maintenance) to its Sebree #1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17044) located in
Webster County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a variance to allow
the use of a spring-loaded device with specific fastening
characteristics with its fastening configuration to secure plugs and
electrical-type connectors to batteries and to the permissible mobile-
powered equipment, which the batteries serve, instead of using a
padlock. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
4. Island Creek Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-120-C]
Island Creek Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1905-1(g) (diesel fuel piping system) to its
Ohio No. 11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-03178) located in Union County, Kentucky.
The petitioner requests a variance to permit the transportation of
diesel fuel from a surface diesel fuel oil storage tank directly into
the fuel tank of individual units of underground diesel equipment. The
petitioner has listed specific procedures in this petition for
implementing its alternative method of transporting fuel from the
surface to underground diesel equipment. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as would the mandatory standard.
5. Consol of Kentucky, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-121-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 Ridge No. 8 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17972) located in
Floyd County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a variance to permit
the use of a single line of automatic sprinklers for its fire
protection system on main and secondary belt conveyors. 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
[[Page 63728]]
of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet of non-fire resistant belt, with
actuation temperatures between 200 to 230 degrees Fahrenheit, and with
water pressure equal to or greater than 10 psi; to locate the
sprinklers 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; to conduct a test using the specific procedures
outlined in this petition during the installation of each new system,
during any subsequent repair or replacement of any critical part, and
annually to ensure proper operation. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
6. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-122-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite
mines) to its Blacksville No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01968), Humphrey No.
7 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01453), and Loveridge No. 22 Mine (I.D. No. 46-
01433) all located in Monongalia County, West Virginia; to its Dilworth
Mine (I.D. No. 36-04281) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania; and
its Robinson Run No. 95 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01318) located in Harrison
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use fire resistant
hydraulic fluid instead of fire suppression on mobile equipment
operated in the primary escapeway. The petitioner proposes to operate
mobile equipment in a primary escapeway using fire resistant fluid, and
to equip such equipment with a 20 pound dry chemical fire extinguisher;
to have a qualified person examine batteries, electrical cables and
brake equipment on a weekly basis; to maintain dry chemical fire
extinguishers on the mobile equipment operated in the primary escapeway
in usable and operative condition; to instruct mobile equipment
operators to conduct a pre-operational check of the equipment prior to
operation in the primary escapeway; and to instruct mobile equipment
operators on an annual basis on the fire-fighting plan, the use of dry
chemical fire extinguishers, and the requirements of any decision and
order issued on this petition. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
7. Del Rio, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-123-C]
Del Rio, Inc., P.O. Box 2218, Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965 has filed
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1405 (automatic
couplers) to its Mine DR #7 (I.D. No. 15-17607), and its Mine DR #8
(I.D. No. 15-17951) both located in Bell County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to use a 9 foot steel tongue to couple the motor to
the flatcar instead of using automatic couplers. The petitioner states
that due to mining heights, flatcars instead of regular supply cars are
being used in their mine to haul supplies. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as would the mandatory standard.
8. BR&D Enterprises, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-124-C]
BR&D Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 2218, Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1405
(automatic couplers) to its Mine BR&D #1, (I.D. No. 15-17907), and its
Mine BR&D #2 (I.D. No. 15-17908) both located in Bell County, Kentucky.
The petitioner proposes to use a 9 foot steel tongue to couple the
motor to the flatcar instead of using automatic couplers. The
petitioner states that due to mining heights, flatcars instead of
regular supply cars are being used in their mine to haul supplies. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
9. Island Creek Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-125-C]
Island Creek Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible electric face equipment;
maintenance) to its Ohio No. 11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-03178) located in
Union County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a spring-loaded
metal locking device instead of padlocks to secure battery charging
plugs to machine-mounted battery receptacles on permissible, mobile,
battery-powered scoop cars. The petitioner has outlined in this
petition specific procedures for implementation of its alternative
method of using a spring-loaded locking device. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
10. Bass Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-126-C]
Bass Energy, Inc. P.O. Box 206, Bruceton Mills, West Virginia 26525
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.380(d)(4)(i) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Mine
No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-01162) located in Upshur County, West Virginia. Due
to adverse roof conditions along the beltlines, the petitioner has
installed additional roof support to protect the affected areas which
has caused the walkway to be narrowed down to less than four feet at
specific beltline locations. The petitioner states that where possible,
the escapeway has been re-routed to another entry with common air and
properly marked, start-stop switches have been installed inby and outby
where individuals would have to cross the beltline, and that close
clearance signs have been posted to caution individuals of the narrow
walkway. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
11. Genwal Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-127-C]
Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, 195 North 100 West,
Huntington, Utah 84528 has filed a petition to modify the application
of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water sprinkler systems; arrangement of
sprinklers) to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01715) located in
Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a variance to permit the
use of a water sprinkler system with a single overhead pipe system and
automatic sprinklers located not more than 10 feet apart so that the
water discharged from the sprinklers will cover 50 feet of fire
resistant belt, or 150 feet of non-fire resistant belt adjacent to the
belt drive; and to permit automatic sprinklers to be located not more
that 10 feet apart so that water discharged from the sprinkler(s) will
cover the drive motor(s), belt take-up electrical controls, and gear
reducing unit for each belt drive. The petitioner proposes to conduct a
functional test to ensure proper operation during the installation of
each new system and during subsequent repair or replacement of any
critical part; and to submit to the District Manager proposed revisions
to their Part 48 training plan that would specify initial and refresher
training for compliance to this petition. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as would the mandatory standard.
[[Page 63729]]
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 2, 1998.
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: November 20, 1997.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 97-31580 Filed 12-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P