[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41139-41140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19404]
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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. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC
[Docket No. M-1999-049-C]
Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, PO Box 1029, Wellington, Utah 84542 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Dugout Canyon Mine (I.D. No.
42-01890) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to
use belt air to ventilate faces in areas of the mine where two entry
mining system is not used. The petitioner proposes to install a low-
level carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire
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 the mandatory standard.
2. Coal Miners, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-050-C]
Coal Miners, Inc., 999 Barrett Cemetery Road, Equality, Illinois
62934 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Eagle Valley Mine (I.D.
No. 11-02846) located in Gallatin County, Illinois. The petitioner
requests a modification of the mandatory standard to permit the use of
air coursed through belt haulage entries to ventilate active working
places. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide
detection system as an early warning fire detection system in the
supply road with branches extended to the beltline at certain
locations. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory
standard.
3. Meadow Branch Mining Corporation
[Docket No. M-1999-051-C]
Meadow Branch Mining Corporation, PO Box 2560, Wise, Virginia 24293
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1
(canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face
equipment; installation requirements) to its Low Splint No. 1 Mine
(I.D. No. 44-06883) located in Wise County, Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to operate electric face equipment without canopies in coal
seam heights of 37 to 43 inches. The petitioner states that: (i) Mining
conditions cause the canopies to come in contact with the roof,
damaging the canopy and destroying roof support; (ii) canopies restrict
the visibility of the equipment operators, creating a hazard in the
operation of the equipment and for the people crawling and walking on
the section; and (iii) the relief requested would not result in a
diminution of safety to the miners.
4. West Ridge Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-052-C]
West Ridge Resources, Inc., PO Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has filed
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water
sprinkler system; arrangement of sprinklers) to its West Ridge Mine
(I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner
requests a variance from the mandatory standard to permit a different
arrangement of water sprinkler systems than established by the
standard. The petitioner proposes to: (i) Use a single overhead pipe
system with \1/2\-inch orifice automatic sprinklers located on 10-foot
centers rather than every 8 feet, to cover 50 feet of fire-resistant
belt or 150 feet of non-fire resistant belt with actuation temperatures
between 200 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit and with water pressure equal to
or greater than 10 psi; and (ii) have the automatic sprinklers located
not more than 10 feet apart so that the discharge of water will extend
over the belt drive, belt take-up, electrical control, and gear
reducing unit. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method will provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard and will not result in a diminution of safety to the
miners.
5. West Ridge Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-053-C]
West Ridge Resources, Inc., PO Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 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 West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in
Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use a nominal voltage
of longwall power circuits not to exceed 2,400 volts to supply power to
the permissible longwall mining equipment. The petitioner has listed in
this petition specific terms and conditions for using its proposed
alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will provide at least the same measure of protection
as would the mandatory standard and will not result in a diminution of
safety to the miners.
6. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-054-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered
equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Rend Lake Mine
(I.D. No. 11-00601) located in Jefferson County, Illinois. The
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory standard so that
individual service brakes would not be required on all grader wheels of
the diesel grader. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard.
7. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-055-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly examination) to its
Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-01436) located in Marshall County, West
Virginia. Due to deteriorating roof and rib conditions, the petitioner
proposes to establish check points to examine the affected area instead
of traveling the area in its entirety. The petitioner states that: (i)
A weekly examination would be made for methane and a smoke tube would
be used to verify direction of air flow; (ii) the persons making
examinations and tests would place his/her initials, the date and time
in a record book provided on the surface and made available for
inspection for interested parties; and (iii) checks points and all
approaches to the check points would be maintained in safe condition.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same
[[Page 41140]]
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
8. Monterey Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-056-C]
Monterey Coal Company, 14300 Brushy Mound Road, Carlinville,
Illinois 62626 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and
performance requirements) to its No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 11-00726) located
in Macoupin County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of
the mandatory standard for its grader. The petitioner states that to
add brakes on the grader would result in loss of machine control for
the operators and the weight, size, and location of the front brakes
would subject repair personnel to injury. As an alternative method, the
petition proposes to lower the blade to stop and control the grader.
The petitioner asserts that its alternative method will provide no less
than the same measure of protection provided by the mandatory standard.
9. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC
[Docket No. M-1999-057-C]
Canyon Fuel Company, 397 South 800 West, Salina, Utah 84654 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360(b)(9)
(preshift examination) to its SUFCO Mine (I.D. No. 42-00089) located in
Sevier County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to install an Atmospheric
Monitoring System (AMS) that would continuously monitor the electrical
installations for carbon monoxide and methane instead of conducting a
preshift examination. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
10. Knott County Mining Company
[Docket No. M-1999-058-C]
Knott County Mining Company, P.O. Box 2805, Pikeville, Kentucky
41502 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.900
(low-and medium-voltage circuits serving current equipment; circuit
breakers) to its Panther Lick Mine (I.D. No. 15-16808) located in Knott
County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the
mandatory standard to permit use of contactors for undervoltage
protection as an alternative to using circuit breakers. The petitioner
has outlined in this petition specific procedures, including personnel
training, that would be implemented when using the proposed alternative
method. The petitioner asserts that safety of miners would not be
compromised and that proposed alternative method would provide at least
the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
11. Independence Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-059-C]
Independence Coal Company, Inc., HC 78, Box 1800, Madison, West
Virginia 25130 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 Cedar Grove Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-
08603) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes
to use 4,160 volts to supply power to the permissible longwall face
equipment, using specific terms and conditions listed in this petition.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory
standard.
12. Peabody Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-060-C]
Peabody Coal Company, 1951 Barrett Court, PO Box 1990, Henderson,
Kentucky 42430 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and
performance requirements) to its Marissa Mine (I.D. No. 11-02440)
located in Washington County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to: (i)
Use its grader underground with rear wheel brakes only; (ii) limit the
diesel grader speed to a maximum of 10 miles per hour; and (iii) train
grader operators to drop the grader blade in the event the brakes fail
instead of using front wheel brakes on the grader. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
13. Performance Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-061-C]
Performance Coal Company, PO Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140 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 Upper Big Branch Mine-South (I.D. No. 46-08436)
located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to
use a nominal voltage of power circuits not to exceed 2,400 volts to
supply power to high-voltage continuous miner located inby the last
open crosscut or within 150 feet from pillar workings. The petitioner
has listed in this petition specific terms and conditions for using its
proposed alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as 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 August 30,
1999. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.
Dated: July 22, 1999.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 99-19404 Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P