[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 97 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31611-31612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12529]


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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 existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Hopkins County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2000-027-C]

    Hopkins County Coal, LLC, P.O. Box 711, Madisonville, Kentucky 
42431 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Island Mine 
(I.D. No. 15-17515) located in Madisonville County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to use a spring-loaded device with specific 
fastening characteristics instead of a padlock to secure plugs and 
electrical type connectors to batteries, and to permissible mobile 
powered equipment, to prevent the battery plugs from accidentally 
separating from the receptacle during normal operation of battery 
equipment. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

2. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-028-C]

    Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 
25193 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 White Knight Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located 
in Sylvester County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use 
continuous mining machines with nominal voltage of the power circuits 
not to exceed 2,300 volts. The petitioner asserts that its alternative 
method would not result in a diminution of safety to the miners and 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

3. B & B Anthracite Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-029-C]

    B & B Anthracite Coal Company, 225 Main Street, Joliett, 
Pennsylvania 17981 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 49.2(b) (availability of mine rescue teams) to its Rock Ridge Slope 
Mine (I.D. No. 36-07741) located in Schuylkill County, West Virginia. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit the 
reduction of two mine rescue teams with five members and one alternate 
each, to two mine rescue teams of three members with one alternate for 
either team. The petitioner asserts that application of the existing 
standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners and 
members of the rescue team and that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

4. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-030-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d) 
(permissible electric equipment)to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-
02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use 
the following nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered electronic 
testing and diagnostic equipment inby the last open crosscut: lap top 
computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault 
detectors, point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices and 
recorders, pressure and flow measurement devices, signal analyzer 
devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic component testers, 
electronic tachometers and battery operated drills. The petitioner has 
listed in this petition for modification specific procedures that would 
be followed when using this equipment. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

5. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-031-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d) 
(permissible electric equipment) to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 
42-01715) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to 
use the following nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered 
electronic testing and diagnostic equipment inby the last open 
crosscut: lap top computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis 
machines, cable fault detectors, point temperature probes, infrared 
temperature devices and recorders, pressure and flow measurement 
devices, signal analyzer devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges, 
electronic component testers, electronic tachometers and battery 
operated drills. The petitioner has listed in this petition for 
modification specific procedures that would be followed when using this 
equipment. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

6. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-032-C]

    Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Rockhouse Energy Mining 
Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D. No.

[[Page 31612]]

15-17651) located in Sidney County, Kentucky. 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 all 
belt entries at certain locations as an early warning fire detection 
system. The petitioner also proposes to adhere to other conditions. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

7. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-033-C]

    Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 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 Rockhouse Energy Mining Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D. 
No. 15-17651) located in Sidney County, Kentucky. The petitioner 
proposes to use 4,160 volt longwall face equipment, and to submit 
proposed revisions for its approved part 48 training plans to the 
District Manager that would specify initial and refresher training. The 
petitioner has listed specific procedures in this petition for 
modification that would be followed when using the longwall equipment. 
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

8. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-034-C]

    Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and 
gas wells) to its Rockhouse Energy Mining Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 
15-17651) located in Sidney County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes 
to plug and mine through oil and gas wells using the specific 
procedures listed in this petition for modification, and notify the 
District Manager or designee prior to mining within 300 feet of a 
plugged oil and gas well. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard and will not result in a diminution 
of safety to the miners.

9. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-035-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return air 
courses) to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon 
County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use the belt entry as a return 
air course during two-entry longwall development, and an intake during 
longwall extraction, to ensure adequate ventilation to dilute and 
render harmless any methane or other noxious gases that may accumulate. 
The petitioner asserts that the application of the existing standard 
would result in a diminution of safety and that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

10. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-036-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d) 
(permissible electric equipment)to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-
02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner submitted this 
petition on March 22, 2000. This petition is a duplicate of a 
previously submitted petition. Therefore, the petitioner has rescinded 
this petition.

11. National Gypsum Company

[Docket No. M-2000-001-M]

    National Gypsum Company, 2550 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.11001 (safe 
access) to its Kaufman-George Pit (I.D. No. 13-01615) located in 
Webster County, Iowa. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
standard to: permit the equipment operator to move between two parked 
pieces of mobile equipment provided that each piece of equipment is 
parked on level ground with the parking brakes engaged; the equipment 
operator has ensured that the pieces of equipment are no further than 
36 inches apart; and the equipment operator uses the equipment's 
platforms, handholds, and foot supports to maintain three-point contact 
at all times when moving between the pieces of equipment. The 
petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would 
result in a diminution of safety and that the proposed alternative 
method would provide equivalent or superior protection as the existing 
standard.

12. Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-002-M]

    Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc., P.O. Box 1621, Alleghany, 
California 95910 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 57.11059 (respirable atmosphere for hoist operators underground) to 
its Sixteen to One Mine (I.D. No. 04-01299) located in Sierra County, 
California. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to 
permit continued use of its ``permissible combination self-contained 
breathing apparatus (SCBA) and pressure demand Type C supplied air 
respirator'' (MSHA approved TC-13F-146 issued 4-13-88 and NIOSH 
approved). The petitioner states that in the interest of the health and 
safety of the hoist operator and miners, an exemption from the standard 
would allow the equipment to be used without modification, and continue 
to meet safety standards specific to the Sixteen to One Mine. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard and 
that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution 
of safety to the miners.

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 June 19, 
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated: May 8, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-12529 Filed 5-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P