[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6582]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
30 CFR Parts 7, 31, 32, 36, 70, and 75
RIN 1219-AA27
Approval, Exhaust Gas Monitoring, and Safety Requirements for the
Use of Diesel-Powered Equipment in Underground Coal Mines
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Final rule; corrections.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document corrects errors in MSHA's regulations for the
approval, exhaust gas monitoring, and safety requirements for the use
of diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 16, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances; 703-235-1910.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On October 25, 1996, MSHA published a final rule that established
approval, exhaust gas monitoring, and safety requirements for the use
of diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines (61 FR 55412).
This notice corrects an editorial error in that final rule for
Sec. 75.1906(g) and the corresponding preamble language.
The preamble to the final rule, on page 55454, third column, first
sentence, currently reads:
Paragraph (g) requires non-self-propelled diesel fuel
transportation units equipped with electric components for
dispensing fuel that are connected to a source of electrical power
be provided with a fire suppression device that meets the
requirements of existing Secs. 75.1107-3 through 75.1107-6,
Secs. 75.1107-8, and Sec. 75.1107-16. * * * [emphasis added]
This section should read:
Paragraph (g) requires non-self-propelled diesel fuel
transportation units equipped with electric components for
dispensing fuel that are connected to a source of electrical power
be provided with a fire suppression device that meets the
requirements of existing Secs. 75.1107-3 through 75.1107-6, and
Secs. 75.1107-8 through 75.1107-16. * * * [emphasis added]
Section 75.1107, as a whole, specifies requirements for fire
suppression devices for both attended and unattended equipment used in
underground coal mines. The various subsections in Sec. 75.1107 address
different types of fire suppression devices so as to allow flexibility
in the choice of a fire suppression system. This flexibility enables
the mine operator to choose a fire suppression device that is
appropriate for the type of equipment or installation where it will be
used.
When this existing regulation was incorporated by reference in the
final rule for the use of diesel-powered equipment in underground coal
mines, MSHA's intent was to reference all sections of the existing fire
suppression requirements that would provide effective fire suppression
capability for the combined hazards presented by the storage of diesel
fuel in conjunction with electrical components. Because water can
spread, rather than suppress, a diesel fuel fire, water deluge type
devices are inappropriate for fighting diesel fuel fires at electrical
installations. MSHA's intent was to exclude only the use of water
deluge type devices, described by Sec. 75.1107-7, when fighting diesel
fuel fires, and to allow the use of all other types of fire suppression
devices addressed in the other subsections of Sec. 75.1107. An
appropriate fire suppression device for non-self-propelled diesel fuel
transportation units, therefore, must meet the requirements for
underground equipment with the exception of those that use water.
This notice corrects the final rule and corresponding preamble
language for Sec. 75.1906(g) by replacing ``and'' with ``through'' to
reflect that non-self-propelled diesel fuel transportation units that
are connected to a source of electrical power require fire suppression
devices that are effective for the hazard.
List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 75
Diesel-powered equipment, Mine safety and health, Underground coal
mines. Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: March 9, 1998.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
Accordingly, chapter I of title 30, Code of Federal Regulations is
amended as follows:
PART 75--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 75 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.
2. Section 75.1906(g), is corrected to read as follows:
Sec. 75.1906 Transport of diesel fuel.
* * * * *
(g) Non-self-propelled diesel fuel transportation units with
electrical components for dispensing fuel that are connected to a
source of electrical power must be protected by a fire suppression
device that meets the requirements of Secs. 75.1107-3 through 75.1107-
6, and Secs. 75.1107-8 through 75.1107-16.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 98-6582 Filed 3-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P