[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2698-2700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1152]
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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. Jim Walter Resources, Inc.
[Docket Nos. M-97-128-C and M-97-129-C]
Jim Walter Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 133, Brookwood, Alabama 35444
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 No. 5 Mine (I.D. No. 01-01322), and its No. 7
Mine (I.D. No. 01-01401) both located in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
The petitioner requests that paragraph 11 of its previous petitions,
docket numbers M-85-45-C and M-85-9-C, be amended to read as follows:
Where high-voltage cable that moves during normal operation of the
longwall is damaged to the extent that any metallic component of the
cable is damaged, the cable shall be repaired and the outer jacket of
such repair shall be vulcanized with flame-resistant material. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
2. Par L Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-130-C]
Par L Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 56A, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b) (1),
(4), and (5) (weekly examination) to its Tracy Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08685) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Due to hazardous
conditions and roof falls, certain areas of the intake haulage slope
and primary
[[Page 2699]]
escapeway cannot be traveled safely. The petitioner proposes to examine
these areas from the gunboat/slope car with an alternative air quality
evaluation at the section's intake level, and to travel and thoroughly
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.
3. Par L Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-131-C]
Par L Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 56A, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2
(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Tracy Vein
Slope (I.D. No. 36-08685) 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 method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
4. Par L Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-132-C]
Par L Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 56A, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200 (d) &
(i) (mine map) to its Tracy Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-08685) 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.
5. Par L Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-133-C]
Par L Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 56A, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75-1400
(hoisting equipment; general) to its Tracy Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08685) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner
proposes to use a slope conveyance (gunboat) in transporting persons
without installing safety catches or other no less effective devices
but instead use increased rope strength/safety factor and secondary
safety rope connection in place of such devices. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
6. Par L Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-134-C]
Par L Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 56A, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a)
(temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its Tracy Vein
Slope (I.D. No. 36-08685) 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.
7. Turris Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-135-C]
Turris Coal Company, P.O. Box 21, Elkhart, Illinois 62634 has filed
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.332(a)(2) (working
sections and working places) to its Elkhart Mine (I.D. No. 11-02664)
located in Logan County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to use the
gathering arms and conveyor chain of the continuous miner to clean and
load the loose rock and coal that is left on the mine floor after the
continuous miner has completed its cut while the second continuous
miner on the high performance unit simultaneously starts its cut; and
to have the continuous miner maintain the same ventilation and water
sprays required during the cut. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
8. Jim Walter Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-136-C]
Jim Walter Resources, Inc. P.O. Box 133, Brookwood, Alabama 35444
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002
(trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables and
transformers) to its No. 3 Mine (I.D. No. 01-00758) located in
Jefferson County, Alabama; and its No. 4 Mine (I.D. No. 01-01247)
located in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The petitioner requests that
paragraph 13 of its previous petition, docket number M-93-209-C, be
amended to read as follows: Where a high-voltage cable that moves
during normal operation of the longwall is damaged to the extent that
any metallic component of the cable is damaged, the cable shall be
repaired and the outer jacket of such repair shall be vulcanized with
flame-resistant material. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
9. Dominion Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-97-137-C]
Dominion Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 70, Vansant, Virginia 24656 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360(b)(5)
(preshift examination) to its Mine No. 36 (I.D. No. 44-06759) located
in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner requests a variance from
preshift of seals along intake air courses since the intake air passes
by both sides of the seals to ventilate working sections where anyone
is scheduled to work during the oncoming shifts. The petitioner asserts
that application of the mandatory standard would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
10. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-138-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1906(b) (transport of diesel fuel) to its
Buchanan Mine (I.D. No. 44-04856) located in Buchanan County, Virginia.
The petitioner requests a variance to permit transportation of multiple
safety cans on a single vehicle for certain specified applications. The
petitioner proposes to refuel equipment involved in longwall moves; to
transport multiple safety cans, not to exceed six, by any one vehicle
from the portal bottom or underground storage facility to the longwall
section to refuel equipment; to equip three 20-pound fire extinguishers
on a vehicle transporting more than one safety can filled with diesel
fuel; to equip a manually actuated fire suppression system on a vehicle
transporting more than one safety can filled with diesel fuel; to
provide additional fire protection by a mine-wide computerized CO
detection system; to secure the safety cans in the vehicle by
protective retaining cylinders; to have the vehicle transport only
miners, and
[[Page 2700]]
the vehicle operator while transporting diesel-filled safety cans; and
to transfer the diesel fuel from the safety cans to equipment fuel
tanks upon arrival on the longwall section. The petitioner states that
the safety cans would not be stored on the longwall section; and that
following refueling, the empty safety cans would be returned to the
vehicle and transported to the surface or underground storage facility.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
11. Energy West Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-139-C]
Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No.
42-01211) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests that
Item (o) of the Proposed Decision and Order for its previously granted
petition, docket number M-94-166-C, be amended to incorporate new
language specified in this petition. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
12. Energy West Mining Company
[Docket No. M-97-140-C]
Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return
air courses) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No. 42-01211) located in
Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests that Item (o) of the
Proposed Decision and Order for its previously granted petition, docket
number M-94-167-C, be amended to incorporate new language specified in
this petition. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would
the mandatory standard.
13. M & M Anthracite Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-141-C]
M & M Anthracite Coal Company, 245 2nd Street, Tremont,
Pennsylvania 17981 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 75.1400 (hoisting equipment; general) to its Little Tracey Slope
(I.D. No. 36-08693) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The
petitioner proposes to use a slope conveyance (gunboat) in transporting
persons without installing safety catches or other no less effective
devices but instead use increased rope strength/safety factor and
secondary safety rope connection in place of such devices. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
14. Elk Run Coal Company
[Docket No. M-97-142-C]
Elk Run Coal Company, Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Laurel Eagle
Mine (I.D. No. 46-08181) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia; and
its Black Knight II Mine (I.D. No. 46-08402) located in Boone County,
West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use permanently installed,
spring-loaded locking devices on mobile battery-powered machines to
prevent unintentional loosening of battery plugs from battery
receptacles in order to eliminate the hazards associated with difficult
removal of padlocks during emergency situations, instead of using
padlocks. The petitioner asserts 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.
15. Tg Soda Ash, Inc.
[Docket No. M-97-13-M]
Tg Soda Ash, Inc., P.O. Box 100, Granger, Wyoming 82934 has filed a
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.22305 (approved
equipment (III mines) to its Wyoming Soda Ash Trona Mine (I.D. No. 48-
00639) located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The petitioner proposes
to operate a non-permissible pump in an area of the mine that was
previously a shortwall panel. The petitioner proposes to operate
approved equipment in by the last open break or in areas where methane
may enter the airstream. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
16. Getchell Gold Corporation
[Docket No. M-97-14-M]
Getchell Gold Corporation, P.O. Box 220, 28 Miles N.E., Golconda,
Nevada 89414 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
57.14130 (roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts for
surface equipment) to its Getchell Mine (I.D. No. 26-02233) located in
Humboldt County, Nevada. The petitioner requests variance from the use
of the ROPS portion of the mandatory standard for its John Deere Model
570B Grader, serial number DW570BX5544565 and the Caterpillar D3C
Dozer, serial number 6SL0153 equipment used primarily underground. The
petitioner asserts that using this equipment underground without
rollover protection would present a minimum exposure to 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 February 17, 1998.
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: January 13, 1998.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 98-1152 Filed 1-15-98; 8:45 am]
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