[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 101 (Wednesday, May 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29034-29035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14003]


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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. Lodestar Energy

[Docket No. M-98-28-C]

    Lodestar Energy, Inc., P.O. 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 Baker Mine (I.D. No. 15-
14492) located in Webster County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to 
use 750 feet of No. 6 cable on Fletcher single boom roof bolters. The 
petitioner states that the proposed alternative method will not result 
in 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.

2. Joliett Coal Company

[Docket No. M-98-29-C]

    Joliett Coal Company, 837 East Grand Avenue, Tower City, 
Pennsylvania 17980 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.1400 (hoisting equipment; general) to its No. 3 Vein Slope (I.D. 
No. 36-08702) 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 using an 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.

3. Lone Mountain Processing, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-30-C]

    Lone Mountain Processing, Inc., P.O. Box 40, Pennington Gap, 
Virginia 24277 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1103-4 (automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; 
installation; minimum requirements) to its Darby Fork Mine No. 1 (I.D. 
No. 15-02263), and its Huff Creek Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17234) both 
located in Harlan County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use belt 
air to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to 
install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system in belt entries as 
an early warning fire detection system. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Freeman United Coal Mining Co.

[Docket No. M-98-31-C]

    Freeman United Coal Mining Company, 1999 Wabash Avenue, Suite 200B, 
Springfield, Illinois 62704-5364 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 Crown II 
Mine (I.D. No. 11-02236) located in Macoupin County, Illinois. The 
petitioner proposes to use 2,400 volt A.C. cables and equipment inby 
the last open crosscut within 150 feet of gob areas so that they can be 
used to power continuous mining equipment. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. Mettiki Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-98-32-C]

    Mettiki Coal Corporation, 293 Table Rock Road, Oakland, Maryland 
21550 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 Mettiki Mine (I.D. No. 18-00621) located in 
Garrett County, Maryland. The petitioner proposes to use 4,300 volt 
cables on high-voltage longwall electric equipment used within 150 feet 
from pillar workings (longwall gob). The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. Sea ``B'' Mining Company

[Docket No. M-98-33-C]

    Sea ``B'' Mining Company, P.O. Box 7, Dante, Virginia 24237 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 1710-1(a) 
(canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face 
equipment; installation requirements) to its Silver Creek Mine (I.D. 
No. 44-16895) located in Tazewell County, Virginia. The petitioner 
proposes to operate self-propelled electric face equipment without 
canopies because of the mining heights less than 46 inches at the 
Silver Creek Mine. The petitioner asserts that application of the 
standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

7. Mettiki Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-98-34-C]

    Mettiki Coal Corporation, 293 Table Rock Road, Oakland, Maryland 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1726(a) 
(performing work from a raised position; safeguards) to its Mettiki 
Mine (I.D. No. 18-00621) located in Garrett County, Maryland. The 
petitioner proposes to use a specially modified scoop as an elevated 
mobile work platform. The petitioner asserts that application of the 
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.

[[Page 29035]]

8. Lone Mountain Processing, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-35-C]

    Lone Mountain Processing, Inc., P.O. Box 40, Pennington Gap, 
Virginia 24277 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Huff Creek No. 1 
Mine (I.D. No. 15-17234), and its Darby Fork Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-
02263) both located in Harlan County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes 
to use belt air to ventilate working sections. The petitioner proposes 
to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system as an early 
warning fire detection system in belt entries. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

9. Performance Coal Company

[Docket No. M-98-36-C]

    Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Upper Big Branch Mine-South 
(I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to use an alternative method of ventilation that 
would not separate the belt haulage entry from the intake air course, 
nor limit the velocity of the air coursed through the belt haulage 
entry, nor prohibit the use of such air for ventilation of active 
working places. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon 
monoxide detection system in all belt entries used as intake air 
courses. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

10. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-37-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 Motts Branch Mine (I.D. No. 15-18012) located in 
Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a single line of 
automatic sprinklers for its fire protection system on the main and 
secondary belt conveyors at the Motts Branch Mine. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

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, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments 
must be postmarked or received in that office on or before June 26, 
1998. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: May 18, 1998.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 98-14003 Filed 5-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P