[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11696-11698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6015]
[[Page 11696]]
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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. Day Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-01-C]
Day Mining, Inc., 430 Harper Pike Drive, Beckley, West Virginia
25801 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 Day Mining Mine (I.D. No. 46-05437) located in
Kanawha County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use 2,400
volt cables to power high-voltage longwall equipment. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
2. Mountain Coal Company
[Docket No. M-98-02-C]
Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(d)(5)
(escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its West Elk Mine (I.D.
No. 05-03672) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner
requests a modification of the mandatory standard to allow the
temporary continued use of F-Seam portals as the designated primary
escapeway rather than using an intake air shaft (designated as Shaft
#3) located in B-Seam at crosscut #11 in Box Canyon Mains. The
petitioner states that the F-Seam portals would continue to be
designated as the primary escapeway until Shaft #1 is completed which
is expected to be April 1999, and that application of the mandatory
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.
3. Pine Ridge Coal Company
[Docket No. M-98-03-C and M-98-04-C]
Pine Ridge Coal Company, 810 Laidley Tower, P.O. Box 1233,
Charleston, West Virginia has filed a petitions to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley
feeder wires, high-voltage cables and transformers) to its Big Mountain
No. 16 Mine (I.D. No. 46-07908) and its Robin Hood No. 9 Mine (I.D. No.
46-02143) both located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use 2,400 volt cables to power high-voltage equipment inby
the last open crosscut at continuous miner sections. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
4. Oxbow Carbon and Minerals, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-05-C]
Oxbow Carbon and Minerals, Inc., P.O. Box 535, Somerset, Colorado
81434 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.360(c)(1) (preshift examination) to its Sanborn Creek Mine (I.D. No.
05-04452) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner requests
a modification of the mandatory standard to allow the determination of
the air volume in the last open crosscut to be measured in the return
aircourse between the last open crosscut and the second to last open
crosscut. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
5. Arclar Company
[Docket No. M-98-06-C]
Arclar Company, P.O. Box 444, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946 has filed
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (weekly
examination) to its Big Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 11-02879) located in
Saline County, Illinois. Due to hazardous roof conditions, examining
the return aircourse in its entirety would be unsafe. The petitioner
proposes to examine the volume of air, percentage of methane, and
hazardous conditions on both sides of the roof fall on a preshift
schedule to ensure that ventilation of the active places are maintained
without diminution of safety to the miners on unit and eliminate others
from being placed in unsafe conditions to rehabilitate the affected
area; and to install mandoors in the stopping line on each side of the
fall to allow access into the affected area. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
6. Left Fork Mining Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-07-C]
Left Fork Mining Company, Inc., P.O. Box 405, Arjay, Kentucky 40902
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(h), and
(i)(2) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Straight Creek
Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-12564) located in Bell County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to use the slope entry which is separated from the
primary escapeway by a pressure difference, and where air comes in at a
separate portal, as part of its alternate escapeway. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
7. FKZ Coal, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-08-C]
FKZ Coal, Inc., 119 Greenwood Street, Trevorton, Pennsylvania 17881
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a)
(temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its No. 1 Slope
(I.D. No. 36-08637) located in Northumberland 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.
8. FKZ Coal, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-09-C]
FKZ Coal, Inc., 119 Greenwood Street, Trevorton, Pennsylvania 17881
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 (seal
construction) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08637) located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to permit alternative methods of
construction of seals using wooden materials of moderate size and
weight due to the difficulty in accessing previously driven headings
and breasts containing inaccessible abandoned workings; to accept a
design criteria in the 10 psi range; and to permit the water trap to be
installed in the gangway seal and sampling tube in the monkey seal for
seals installed in pairs. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
9. FKZ Coal, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-10-C]
FKZ Coal, Inc., 119 Greenwood Street, Trevorton, Pennsylvania 17881
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200 (d)
and (i) (mine map) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08637) located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use
cross-sections instead of contour
[[Page 11697]]
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.
10. FKZ Coal, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-11-C]
FKZ Coal, Inc., 119 Greenwood Street, Trevorton, Pennsylvania 17881
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2
(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its No. 1 Slope
(I.D. No. 36-08637) located in Northumberland 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.
11. FKZ Coal, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-12-C]
FKZ Coal, Inc., 119 Greenwood Street, Trevorton, Pennsylvania 17881
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400
(hoisting equipment; general) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08637)
located in Northumberland 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.
12. Dunkard Mining Company
[Docket No. M-98-13-C]
Dunkard Mining Company, Box 8, Dilliner, Pennsylvania 15327 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1)
(weekly examination) to its Dunkard Mine (I.D. No. 36-01301) located in
Greene County, Pennsylvania. Due to hazardous roof conditions, certain
areas of the intake aircourse cannot be traveled safely. The petitioner
proposes to test for methane and the quantity and quality of air by
establishing monitoring points No. 1 and No. 2 which would be monitored
weekly. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
13. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M-98-14-C and M-98-15-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and gas wells) to its Blacksville
No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01968) located in Monongalia County, West
Virginia, and its Robinson Run No. 95 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01318) located
in Harrison County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to seal the
Pittsburgh Coal Seam from the surrounding strata at the affected wells
by using technology developed through Consolidation Coal Company's
successful well-plugging program instead of establishing and
maintaining barriers around oil and gas wells. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
14. G & P Contractors, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-16-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
Goodin Creek Mine (I.D. No. 15-17980) located in Knox County, Kentucky.
The petitioner requests relief from using fire suppression systems on
its three wheel Mescher tractors. The petitioner proposes to install
two five pound or one ten pound portable chemical fire extinguisher in
the operator's deck of each Mescher tractor operated at the mine and to
have this fire extinguisher readily accessible to the operator; to have
the equipment operator inspect each fire extinguisher daily prior to
entering the escapeway; to keep at the mine a daily record of the
inspection; to have a sufficient number of spare fire extinguishers
maintained at the mine in case a fire extinguisher becomes defective;
and to provide training to each employee operating the Mescher tractor
on the proper procedures for conducting daily inspections of the fire
extinguisher. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would
the mandatory standard.
15. Lodestar Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-17-C]
Lodestar Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 448, Clay, Kentucky 42404 has filed
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(d)(1)
(escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Wheatcroft Mine (I.D.
No. 15-13920) located in Webster County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to have a minimum of 4-feet of clearance on a secondary
escapeway at its Wheatcroft mine. The petitioner asserts that no
diminution of safety would occur to the miners as a result of this
reduction in clearance.
16. G & P Contractors, Inc.
[Docket No. M-98-18-C]
G & P Contractors, Inc., Route 1, Box 419-A1, Gray, Kentucky 40734
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342
(methane monitors) to its Goodin Creek Mine (I.D. No. 15-17980) located
in Knox County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use hand-held
continuous-duty methane and oxygen detectors instead of machine-mounted
methane monitors on permissible three-wheel tractors with drag bottom
buckets. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
17. Echo Bay Minerals Company
[Docket No. M-98-01-M]
Echo Bay Minerals Company, 921 Fish Hatchery Road, Republic,
Washington 99166 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 57.11050 (escapeways and refuges) to its Lamefoot Mine (I.D. No.
45-03265) located in Ferry County, Washington. The petitioner propose
to use a refuge chamber on each level of its mine which is not accessed
by the existing secondary escapeway. The petitioner states that these
refuge chambers would have dedicated air and communication lines, with
supplied air bottles, first aid-equipment (stretchers, blankets, and
trauma kits), meals-ready-to-eat, and drinking water. The petitioner
asserts that application of the mandatory standard would result in a
diminution of safety to the miners.
Request for Comments
Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit
comments via e-mail to ``[email protected]'', or on a computer disk
along with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015
Wilson Boulevard, Room 627,
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Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be postmarked or received
in that office on or before April 9, 1998. Copies of these petitions
are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: February 27, 1998.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 98-6015 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P