[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 48067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23169]


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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. Freeman United Coal Mining Company

[Docket No. M-2001-081-C]

    Freeman United Coal Mining Company, PO Box 4630, Springfield, 
Illinois 62708 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.332(a)(2) (working sections and working places) to its Crown II Mine 
(I.D. No. 11-02236) located in Macaupin County, Illinois. The 
petitioner proposes to use one continuous miner to clean up the working 
face it previously mined while the other continuous miner on the super 
section starts to cut and load coal from another working face on the 
same working section, on the same split of air. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the existing standard.

2. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2001-082-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, 1970 Barrett Court, PO Box 1990, Henderson, 
Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its Camp #11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-
08357) located in Union County, Kentucky. Due to hazardous rib 
conditions in certain areas of the return air course, traveling and 
examining this specific area would be unsafe. The petitioner proposes 
to establish evaluation points to monitor methane and oxygen 
concentrations immediately inby and outby portions of the specified 
return air course on a weekly basis. A certified person will examine 
the conditions of these evaluation points and record the results in a 
book maintained on the surface of the mine. 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.

3. Corbin Colleries, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2001-083-C]

    Corbin Colleries, Inc., Rt. 4 Box 142-K, Bluefield, West Virginia 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1 
(canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face 
equipment; installation requirements) to its Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 44-
06857) located in Tazewell County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes to 
operate self-propelled electric face equipment without cabs or canopies 
in seams heights of 48 inches or less. The petitioner asserts that 
application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of 
safety to the miners.

4. A B & J Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2001-084-C]

    A B & J Coal Company, Inc., PO Box 35, Vansant, Virginia 24656 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1 
(canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face 
equipment; installation requirements) to its Mine No. 3 (I.D. No. 44-
06974) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes to 
operate self-propelled electric face equipment without cabs or canopies 
in seams heights of 48 inches or less. The petitioner asserts 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 October 17, 
2001. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that 
address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 6th day of September 2001.
David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 01-23169 Filed 9-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P