[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70053-70055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32494]


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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.

[[Page 70054]]

1. Energy Fuels Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-106-C]

    Energy Fuels Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 459, 11190 County Road 92, 
Florence, Colorado 91226 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.901 (protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase 
circuits used underground) to its South Field Mine (I.D. No. 05-03455) 
located in Fremont County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use a 
diesel generator to move equipment from section to section, and use a 
roof bolter to rehabilitate remote areas of the mine. The petitioner 
states that the genset is 480 vac three-phase, mounted and grounded to 
a metal sled with an area of 60 square feet that is in contact with 
damp mine floor at all times. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method will provide at least the same measure of protection 
as the mandatory standard.

2. Wabash Mine Holding Company

[Docket No. M-1999-107-C]

    Wabash Mine Holding Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 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 Wabash 
Mine (I.D. No. 11-00877) located in Wabash County, Illinois. The 
petitioner proposes to: (i) equip diesel graders with devices that will 
limit the speed of the graders to 10 miles per hour; and (ii) train all 
miners who operate the graders in the proper technique for lowering the 
blade in order to restrict the speed and stop the grader. The 
petitioner asserts that application of the standard will result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

3. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-108-C]

    Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528 
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 Deer Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-00121) located in 
Emery County, Utah, and Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No. 42-01211) located 
in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to: (i) install a 
speedometer on diesel graders in order to limit the speed to 25 miles 
per hour when operating graders in an underground coal mine or on the 
surface of an underground coal mine; and (ii) train all miners who 
operate the graders in the proper techniques for lowering the blade in 
order to restrict the speed and stop the grader, proper gear selection 
for grading, and proper speed for grading. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the mandatory standard.

4. Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-109-C]

    Blue Mountain Energy, Inc., 3607 County Road, #65, Rangely, 
Colorado 81648 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 Deserado Mine (I.D. No. 05-03505) 
located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to: (i) 
equip diesel graders with service brakes only on the four rear wheels; 
(ii) install a device on the graders that will limit the speed to a 
maximum of 15 miles per hour; and (iii) train personnel on proper 
techniques for lowering the blade if additional slowing or stopping 
capability is needed, and on proper travel speeds consistent with road 
conditions. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
will provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

5. Black Beauty Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-110-C]

    Black Beauty Coal Company, P.O. Box 176, Wheatland, Indiana 47597 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 1909(b)(6) 
(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance 
requirements) to its Air Quality Mine (I.D. No. 12-02010) located in 
Knox County, Indiana. The petitioner proposes to: (i) limit the maximum 
speed of six-wheeled graders to less than 10 miles per hour; and (ii) 
train grader operators to lower the moldboard for additional stopping 
capability in emergency situations, and on how to recognize the 
appropriate speeds to use on different roadway conditions and slopes. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

6. Ohio County Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-111-C]

    Ohio County Coal Company, 3740 North Main Street, Madisonville, 
Kentucky 42431 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1103 (automatic fire warning devices) to its Freedom Mine (I.D. No. 
15-17587) located in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes 
to use only one low-level carbon monoxide sensor where a belt drive 
discharges into a belt conveyor tailpiece as a continuation of a belt 
conveyor, or when the belt drive discharges at an angle onto the 
conveyor belt system the discharge roller is within 50 feet of the 
tailpiece, and the belt conveyor drive, belt take-up, and belt conveyor 
tailpiece are on the same split of air. The petitioner proposes to 
install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system as an early 
warning fire detection system in all belt entries where a monitoring 
system identifies a sensor location, instead of identifying each belt 
flight. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
will provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

7. Bledsoe Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-1999-112-C]

    Bledsoe Coal Corporation, Route 2008, Box 351A, Big Laurel, 
Kentucky has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.900 (low-medium-voltage circuits serving three-phase alternating 
current equipment; circuit breakers) to its Mine No. 4 (I.D. No. 15-
11065), and Mine No. 60 (I.D. No. 15-12941) both located in Leslie 
County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use contactors for 
protection on circuit breakers instead of using under-voltage 
protection and continue using short circuit protection by a circuit 
breaker for interrupting retrips. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard.

8. Mountain Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-113-C]

    Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, 5174 Highway 133, Somerset, 
Colorado 81434 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 West Elk Mine (I.D. No. 05-03672) 
located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to: (i) 
equip road graders with service brakes only on the four rear wheels in 
order to limit the speed to a maximum of 15 miles per hour; and (ii) 
train all personnel who operate the graders on the proper techniques 
for lowering the blade if additional slowing or stopping capability is 
needed. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
will provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

[[Page 70055]]

9. Snyder Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-114-C]

    Snyder Coal Company, 66 Snyder Lane, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200 (d) & (i) 
(mine map) to its Rattling Run Mine (I.D. No. 36-08713) located in 
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use cross-
sections instead of contour lines through the intake slope, at 
locations of rock tunnel connections between veins, and at 1,000-foot 
intervals of advance from the intake slope, and to limit the required 
mapping of the mine workings above and below to those present within 
100 feet of the veins being mined except when veins are interconnected 
to other veins beyond the 100-foot limit through rock tunnels. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at 
least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

10. Wabash Mine Holding Company

[Docket No. M-1999-115-C]

    Wabash Mine Holding Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly examination) to 
its Wabash Mine (I.D. No. 11-00877) located in Wabash County, Illinois. 
Due to deteriorating roof conditions, the petitioner asserts that to 
inspect the seals in the required manner will be unsafe, the petitioner 
proposes to establish a permanent monitoring station to monitor the air 
for oxygen and methane after it passes the seals and links the 
monitoring station to the mine-wide monitoring (DAN) system, and on a 
weekly basis evaluate the air that passes the seals. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

11. Jim Walter Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-116-C]

    Jim Walter Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 133, Brookwood, Alabama 53444 
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 No. 4 Mine (I.D. No. 01-01247), Mine No. 5 Mine 
(I.D. No. 01-01322), and Mine No. 7 (I.D. No. 01-01401) all located in 
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The petitioner proposes to use one 480-
volt, three-phase, 260KW/325KVA diesel powered generator set to supply 
power to a 250 KVA three-phase transformer and three-phase power 
circuits utilizing the specific terms and conditions listed in this 
petition. The petitioner asserts that application of the mandatory 
standard will result in a diminution of safety. In addition, the 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at 
least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

12. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-117-C]

    Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No. 
42-01211) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests that 
some of the requirements in the Decision and Order (D&O) for its 
previously granted petition, docket number M-98-019-C, be amended 
because the requirements have proven to be outdated due to changes in 
circumstances that originally supported the terms and conditions of the 
D&O. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the granted D&O and 
will not result in a diminution of safety provided by the existing 
standard.

13. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-118-C]

    Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return 
air courses) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No. 42-01211) located in 
Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests that some of the 
requirements in the Decision and Order (D&O) for its previously granted 
petition, docket number M-98-020-C, be amended because the requirements 
have proven to be outdated due to changes in circumstances that 
originally supported the terms and conditions of the D&O. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at 
least the same measure of protection as the granted D&O and will not 
result in a diminution of safety provided by the existing standard.

14. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-119-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.312(c) (main mine fan examinations and 
records) to its Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-01436) located in Marshall 
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to test automatic 
closing doors and automatic fan signal devices every 31 days without 
shutting down the fan and without removing miners from the mine. The 
petitioner has listed in this petition specific procedures for 
complying with the alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard.

15. Knox Creek Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-1999-120-C]

    Knox Creek Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 519, Raven, Virginia 24639 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Tiller No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 
44-06804) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes 
to use belt air 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 all belt entries used as intake 
air courses. The petitioner asserts that application of the standard 
will result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will 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 January 14, 
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: December 6, 1999.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 99-32494 Filed 12-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P