[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 155 (Thursday, August 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49017-49018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20316]


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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. Pine Ridge Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2000-085-C]

    Pine Ridge Coal Company, 50 School House Road, Seth, West Virginia 
25181 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 Whites Branch Mine (I.D. No. 46-08827) located 
in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner requests a modification 
to its previously granted petition for modification, docket number M-
98-004-C, allowing 2400 volt cables to be used inby the last open 
crosscut at the working continuous miner sections at the Pine Ridge 
Coal Company, Robin Hood No. 9 Mine (I.D. No. 46-02143), to be 
transferred to Pine Ridge Coal Company's Whites Branch Mine (I.D. No. 
46-08827), where equipment will be transferred and production begins 
the first of August 2000. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

2. The United Mine Workers of America

[Docket No. M-2000-086-C]

    The United Mining Workers of America, P.O. Box 28, Castlewood, 
Virginia 24224 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1712-2 (location of surface facility) on behalf of the Sea ``B'' 
Mining Company, Silver Creek Mine (I.D. No. 44-16895) located in 
Tazewell County, Virginia. The petitioner requests modification of the 
existing standard to require suitable transportation be provided for 
miners traveling to and from the centrally located bathing facility. 
The petitioner states that the miners have to crawl in mud, coal dust, 
oil, grease, and other contaminants in the underground mine environment 
and then drive to the centrally located bathing facility which creates 
unsafe conditions for the miners, and conflicts with applicable state 
highway laws that promote safe operation of motor vehicles. The 
petitioner asserts that the existing standard would result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners.

3. The Pittsburgh & Midway Coal Mining Company

[Docket No. M-2000-087-C]

    The Pittsburgh & Midway Coal Mining Company, P.O. Box 6518, 
Englewood, Colorado 80155-6518 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and gas wells) to its North River 
No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 01-00759) located in Fayette County, Alabama. The 
petitioner proposes to plug and abandon oil and gas wells, and mine 
through the oil and gas wells with a longwall mining machine instead of 
maintaining a 300 foot barrier around the well. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the existing standard.

4. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-088-C]

    Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil 
and gas wells) to its White Knight Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located in 
Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine 
through oil and gas wells using specific procedures outlined in this 
petition for modification. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

5. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-089-C]

    Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil 
and gas wells) to its Castle Mine (I.D. No. 46-07009) located in Boone 
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine

[[Page 49018]]

through oil and gas wells using the specific procedures outlined in 
this petition for modification. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

6. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-090-C]

    Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Castle Mine (I.D. No. 46-
07009) located in Boone County, West Virginia. 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. Freeman United Coal Mining Company

[Docket No. M-2000-091-C]

    Freeman United Coal Mining Company, 1999 Wabash Avenue, Suite 2008, 
Springfield, Illinois 62704-5364 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 Crown III Mine 
(I.D. No. 11-02632) located in Montgomery County, Illinois. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit a diesel-
powered road grader to be operated without front wheel brakes. The 
petitioner proposes to operate its diesel grader at a maximum speed of 
10 miles per hour, lower the grader blade (mold board) to increase 
stopping capability in emergencies, and provide training for the grader 
operators on how to recognize appropriate levels of speed for different 
road and slope conditions. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

8. 3-D Management Services, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-092-C]

    3-D Management Services, Inc., P.O. Box 186, Madison, West Virginia 
25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Campbells 
Creek #5 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08718) located in Kanawha County, West 
Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a threaded ring and a spring-
loaded device on battery plug connectors for mobile battery powered 
machines to prevent the plug connector from accidently disengaging 
while under load instead of using padlocks. The petitioner asserts that 
application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of 
safety to the miners and that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

9. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-093-C]

    Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) 
(location of other electric equipment; requirements for permissibility) 
to its White Knight Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located in Boone County, 
West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a Joy Technologies, Inc., 
high-voltage (4,160 volts) longwall mining machine at the face. The 
petitioner asserts that application of its alternative method will not 
result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

10. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2000-094-C]

    Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) 
(location of other electric equipment; requirements for permissibility) 
to its Castle Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located in Boone County, West 
Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a Joy Technologies, Inc., 
high-voltage (4,160 volts) longwall mining machine at the face. The 
petitioner asserts that application of its alternative method will not 
result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

11. Contour Erection and Siding Systems, Inc., d/b/a Contour Steel

[Docket No. M-2000-006-M]

    Contour Erection and Siding Systems, Inc., d/b/a/ Contour Steel, 17 
Court Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 has filed a petition to modify 
the application of 30 CFR 56.15003 (protective footwear) to its 
American Rock Salt Mine (I.D. No. 30-03255) located in Livingston 
County, New York. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to permit Contour employees who are Ironworkers, not 
to wear steel capped footwear while climbing structural columns, 
erecting reinforcing steel, or performing other work where foot 
protection would reduce their safety. The petitioner states that 
modification of the existing standard would apply only to Contour's 
employees who would be engaged in mining or other mine related work 
activities, and that application of the existing standard would 
compromise the safety of the Ironworkers and affect their job 
performance.

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 September 
11, 2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at 
that address.

    Dated: July 28, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-20316 Filed 8-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P