[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 24 (Friday, February 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5700-5702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2516]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-143-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 75.701 (grounding metallic frames, casings, and 
other enclosures of electric equipment) to its Rhoades Branch H-4 Mine 
(I.D. No. 15-18212) located in Lechter County, Kentucky. The petitioner 
proposes to use a diesel-generated source of low and medium voltage, 
three-phase electrical power during transportation of certain mobile 
equipment underground. The petitioner has listed in this petition 
specific terms and conditions for using the generator system. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

2. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-144-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 75.901(a) (protection of low- and medium-voltage 
three-phase circuits used underground) to its Rhoades Branch H-4 Mine 
(I.D. No. 15-18212) located in Lechter County, Kentucky. The petitioner 
proposes to use a diesel-generated source of low- and medium-voltage, 
three-phase electrical power during transportation of certain mobile 
equipment underground. The petitioner proposes to derive a low-and 
medium-voltage, three-phase, alternating current for use underground 
from a portable, diesel-driven generator. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the mandatory standard.

3. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-145-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 Rhoades Branch H-4 Mine (I.D. No. 15-18212) 
located in Lechter County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a 
single line of automatic sprinklers for its fire protection system on 
main and secondary belt conveyors. The

[[Page 5701]]

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

4. Old Ben Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-146-C]

    Old Ben Coal Company, P.O. Box 397, 13101 Zeigler Road, 
Coulterville, Illinois 62237 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.902 (low- and medium-voltage ground check 
monitor circuits) to its Zeigler #11 Mine (I.D. No. 11-02408) located 
in Randolph County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of 
the mandatory safety standard to permit the use of an alternative 
method for ground check monitoring. The petitioner proposes that the 
ground monitor would open a vacuum contactor instead of a circuit 
breaker in all combination stationary belt starters at the Zeigler #11 
Mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

5. Old Ben Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-147-C]

    Old Ben Coal Company, P.O. Box 397, 13101 Zeigler Road, 
Coulterville, Illinois 62237 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low- and medium-voltage circuits serving 
three-phase alternating current equipment; circuit breakers) to its 
Zeigler #11 Mine (I.D. No. 11-02408) located in Randolph County, 
Illinois. The petitioner requests that Item #1 of its previous petition 
for modification, docket number M-96-147-C, be amended to read as 
follows: The petition for modification shall apply to the requirement 
for under-voltage protection and grounded phase protection for three-
phase circuits supplying stationary belt drive installations presently 
in use or installed in the future. The petitioner asserts that this 
amendment would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
previous petition.

6. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-148-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)(2) (weekly examination) to its 
Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-01436) located in Marshall County, West 
Virginia. Due to deteroriating roof conditions in certain areas of the 
return air course, the petitioner proposes to establish two check 
points that will be maintained in safe condition at all times, and to 
have a certified person test for methane and the quantity of air at 
both check points on a weekly basis. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard.

7. Fork Creek Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-149-C]

    Fork Creek Mining Company, Fork Creek Mine Road, P.O. Box 24, Alum 
Creek, West Virginia 25003 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to 
its Fork Creek No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 48-08763) located in Kanawha 
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use air coursed 
through the belt haulage entry to ventilate active working places. The 
petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as 
an early warning fire detection system in all belt entries used to 
carry intake air to a working place. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard.

8. Perry County Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-150-C]

    Perry County Mining Company, P.O. Box 5002, Hazard, Kentucky 41701 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1) 
(weekly examination) to its Eas #1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-02085) located in 
Perry County, Kentucky. Due to deteriorating roof conditions in certain 
areas of the intake air course, the petitioner proposes to establish 
four check points as air measurement stations. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

9. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-021-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its West 
Fork Mine (I.D. No. 23-01787) located in Reynolds County, Missouri. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to 
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for 
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will 
result in a diminution of safety.

10. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-022-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its 
Fletcher Mine and Mill (I.D. No. 23-00409) located in Reynolds County, 
Missouri. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory 
safety standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the 
requirements for refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard and that application of the 
existing standard will result in a diminution of safety.

11. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-023-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its Brushy 
Creek Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00499) located in Reynolds County, 
Missouri. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory 
safety standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the 
requirements for refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard and that application of the 
existing standard will result in a diminution of safety.

12. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-024-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its Buick 
Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00457) located in Reynolds County, Missouri. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to 
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for 
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will 
result in a diminution of safety.

[[Page 5702]]

13. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-025-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its 
Sweetwater Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00458) located in Reynolds County, 
Missouri. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory 
safety standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the 
requirements for refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard and that application of the 
existing standard will result in a diminution of safety.

14. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-026-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its No. 35 
Mine (Casteel) (I.D. No. 23-01800) located in Iron County, Missouri. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard 
to permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for 
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will 
result in a diminution of safety.

15. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-027-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its No. 28 
Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00494) located in Iron County, Missouri. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to 
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for 
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will 
result in a diminution of safety.

16. The DOE Run Company

[Docket No. M-1999-028-M]

    The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its No. 29 
Mine (I.D. No. 23-00495) located in Iron County, Missouri. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to 
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for 
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will 
result in a diminution of safety.

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 March 6, 
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: January 27, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-2516 Filed 2-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P