[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