[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 72 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19928-19929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9023]


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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. Energy Fuels Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-020-C]

    Energy Fuels Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 459, 1190 County Rd 92, Florence, 
Colorado 91226 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1909(1) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and 
performance requirements) to its Southfield Mine (I.D. No. 05-03455) 
located in Fremont County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use a 
diesel engine to power its genset. The petitioner proposes to use the 
diesel-powered genset to move equipment from section to section, and to 
power a roof bolter used in roof rehabilitation in remote areas of the 
mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory 
standard.

2. Sugar Camp Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2000-021-C]

    Sugar Camp Coal, LLC, 1055 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 Willow Lake Mine 
(I.D. No. 11-03054) located in Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the standard to allow air coursed through 
belt haulage entries to be used to ventilate active working places. The 
petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection 
system in the supply road with branches extended to the belt line at 
certain locations as an early warning fire detection system. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

3. Black Beauty Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-022-C]

    Black Beauty Coal Company, P.O. Box 176, Wheatland, Indiana 47597 
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 Air Quality Mine (I.D. No. 12-02010) located in 
Knox County, Indiana. The petitioner proposes to limit the minimum 
speed of the grader to less than 10 mph, provide training for the 
grader operators on lowering the moldboard for additional stopping 
capability in emergency situations, and on recognizing the appropriate 
speeds to use on different roadway conditions and slopes, instead of 
installing front wheel brakes on its ``Getman'' six-wheeled grader. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

4. Crystal Fuels Company

[Docket No. M-2000-023-C]

    Crystal Fuels Company, P.O. Box 722, Matewan, West Virginia 25678 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103 
(automatic fire warning devices) to its No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 46-03408) 
located in Mingo County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to 
install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system in all belt 
entries as an early warning fire detection system instead of using a 
monitoring systems that identify each belt flight. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

5. Webster County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2000-024-C]

    Webster County Coal, LLC, 2668 Street, Rt. 120 E., Providence, 
Kentucky 42450 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.333 (ventilation controls) to its Dotiki Mine (I.D. No. 15-02132) 
located in Webster County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard to permit a temporary stopping in the 
return stopping line, outby the section tailpiece, for a short period 
of time prior to the section moving from entries to rooms instead of 
using a permanent type stopping. 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 to the miners.

6. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-025-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 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 Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in 
Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to install devices such as 
gear lock-outs on its diesel grader to limit the speed to a maximum of 
10 miles per hour when the grader is operating in an underground coal 
mine or on the surface of an underground coal mine, and provide 
training to every miner who operates the grader on the proper 
techniques for lowering the blade to restrict the speed and to stop the 
grader, on the proper gear selection for grading, and on the proper 
speed for grading. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
mandatory standard.

7. Andalex Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-026-C]

    Andalex Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 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 Aberdeen Mine (I.D. No. 42-02028) and its Pinnacle 
Mine (I.D. No. 42-01474) both located in Carbon County, Utah. The 
petitioner proposes to install devices such as gear lock-outs on its 
diesel grader in order to limit the speed to a maximum of 10 miles per 
hour when the grader is operating in an underground or on the surface 
of an underground coal mine, and provide

[[Page 19929]]

training to every miner who operates the grader on the proper 
techniques for lowering the blade to restrict the speed and to stop the 
grader, on the proper gear selection for grading, and on the proper 
speed for grading. 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 May 15, 
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: March 28, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-9023 Filed 4-12-00; 8:45 am]
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