[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48765-48766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24382]


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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. Clinchfield Coal Co.

[Docket No. M-98-74-C]

    Clinchfield Coal Company, PO Box 4000, Lebanon, Virginia 24266 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75-1710-1(a) 
(canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face 
equipment; installation requirements) to its Cherokee Mine (I.D. No. 
44-06846) located in Dickenson County, Virginia. The petitioner 
proposes to operate Joy 21SC center-driven shuttle cars, S&S 488 
scoops, Long Airdox 482 scoops, and Fletcher Roof Ranger bolting 
machines in mining heights less than 46 inches. The petitioner asserts 
that application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety 
to miners.

2. The Kedco, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-75-C]

    The Kedco, Inc., PO Box 232, Justice, West Virginia 24857 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible 
electric face equipment; maintenance) to its No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-
08019) located in Mingo County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes 
to replace a padlock on battery plug connectors with a threaded ring 
and a spring loaded device on mobile battery-powered machines to 
prevent the plug connector from accidentally disengaging while under 
load. 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.

3. Manna Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-98-76-C]

    Manna Coal Corporation, PO Box 1210, Richlands, Virginia 24641 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1 
(canopies and cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face 
equipment; installation requirements) to its Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 44-
04248) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard to allow self-propelled

[[Page 48766]]

electric face equipment to be operated without cabs or canopies in 
mining heights less than 48 inches. The petitioner asserts that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners.

4. Leeco, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-77-C]

    Leeco, Inc., 1374 Highway 192 East, London, Kentucky 40741-3123 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1 
(canopies and cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered electric face 
equipment; installation requirements) to its Mine No. 68 (I.D. No. 15-
17497) located in Perry County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to 
operate self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face equipment 
without cabs or canopies. The petitioner asserts that application of 
the standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

5. Webster County Coal Corp.

[Docket No. M-98-78-C]

    Webster County Coal Corp., 2668 State Route 120 East, Providence, 
Kentucky 42450 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.901(a) (protection of low-and medium-voltage three-phase circuits 
used underground) to its Dotiki Mine (I.D. No. 15-02132) located in 
Webster County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
standard to allow an alternative method for the diesel powered 
generator system. The petitioner proposes to have the neutral of the 
wye configured alternator in series between it and the frame of the 
generator unit with a 480-volt rated resistor that would limit phase-
to-frame fault current to 0.5 continuous ampere; to have the neutral of 
the secondary side of the wye configured 480/995-volt step-up 
transformer in series between it and the frame of the generator with a 
995-volt rated resistor that would limit phase-to-frame fault current 
to 0.5 continuous ampere; to have the 480-volt rated output of the 
generator equipped with a sensitive ground fault relay set to cause the 
circuit breaker(s) to trip and shut down the diesel engine when a 
phase-to-frame fault of 120 milliamperes occurs; to have a No. 1/0 
A.W.G. or larger external ground conductor solidly connected between 
the frame(s) of the diesel generator and the mining equipment being 
powered; to have a type SHD-GC power cable from the generator to the 
equipment with a minimum of 2,000-volt rating, and an MSHA accepted 
flame-resistant outer jacket; to have shielded cable with strain relief 
extended between the generator and the piece of equipment being 
powered; and to perform a functional test of the ground fault and 
ground wire monitor systems prior to moving each piece of equipment and 
upon starting the diesel generator. The petitioner states that the 
generator system would not be operated until MSHA has inspected the 
equipment and determined compliance; that all circuits breaker settings 
would be adjusted to provide short-circuit protection and would not 
exceed the maximum allowable instantaneous setting specified in 30 CFR 
75.601-1; and that all qualified persons would receive specific ``hands 
on'' training on proper testing procedures prior to using the diesel 
generator system; and that the testing procedures would be incorporated 
in the Part 48 training plans and annual refresher training. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

6. Mississippi Potash, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-05-M]

    Mississippi Potash, Inc., PO Box 101, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11050 
(escapeways and refuges) to its Mississippi Potash West Mine (I.D. No. 
29-00175) located in Eddy County, New Mexico. The petitioner proposes 
to use a refuge chamber located 400 feet from the shaft as one of its 
escapeways in the event of a hoist outage. The petitioner states that 
the 18,700 cubic foot refuge chamber would be used by a limited number 
of underground maintenance and production employees to accomplish dead 
work; that these employees would be working with a normal mantrip hoist 
operation; and that the refuge chamber would accommodate 45 employees 
and would be used as an 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. Colorado Yule Marble Company

[Docket No. M-98-06-M]

    Colorado Yule Marble Company, 2800 Midland Avenue, #102, Glenwood, 
Colorado 81601 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
49.2(f) (availability of mine rescue teams) to its Yule Quarry (I.D. 
No. 05-04438) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the standard to allow the use of the San 
Juan Mine Rescue Co-operative rescue team of Ridgeway located 2 to 3 
hours ground travel time from the mine while their rescue team (Roaring 
Fork Mine Rescue Co-operative) is being established. 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 October 13, 
1998. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: September 1, 1998.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 98-24382 Filed 9-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P