[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13196-13197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6796]


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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. Solid Rock Construction, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2002-007-C]

    Stamper Technical Service, Inc., 45 Stamper Lane, Pikeville, 
Kentucky 41501 has filed a petition for Solid Rock Construction, Inc., 
No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-16643) located in Pike County, Kentucky, to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.41(f) (Plug and receptacle-type 
connectors). The petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, 
spring-loaded locking devices to secure battery plugs on mobile 
battery-powered machines to prevent unintentional loosening of the 
battery plugs from battery receptacles, and to eliminate the potential 
hazards associated with difficult removal of padlocks during emergency 
situations. The petitioner asserts that using padlocks to secure 
battery plugs would result in diminution of safety to the miners.

2. Aaron Coal Company, L.L.C.

[Docket No. M-2002-008-C]

    Stamper Technical Service, Inc., 45 Stamper Lane, Pikeville, 
Kentucky 41501 has filed a petition for the Aaron Coal Company, L.L.C., 
No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17813) located in Pike County, Kentucky, to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.41(f) (Plug and receptacle-type 
connectors). The petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, 
spring-loaded locking devices to secure battery plugs on mobile 
battery-powered machines to prevent unintentional loosening of the 
battery plugs from battery receptacles, and to eliminate the potential 
hazards associated with difficult removal of padlocks during emergency 
situations. The petitioner asserts that using padlocks to secure 
battery plugs would result in diminution of safety to the miners.

3. M & H Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2002-009-C]

    M & H Coal Company, P.O. Box 559, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a) 
(Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Mercury Slope 
Mine (I.D. No. 36-01920) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit use of 
only portable fire extinguishers to

[[Page 13197]]

replace existing requirements where rock dust, water cars, and other 
water storage equipped with three (3) ten quart pails is not practical. 
The petitioner proposes to use two (2) fire extinguishers near the 
slope bottom and an additional portable fire extinguisher within 500 
feet of the working face for equivalent fire protection for the Mercury 
Slope Mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

4. White County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2002-010-C]

    White County Coal, LLC, 1525 County Road 1300 N, P.O. Box 457, 
Carmi, Illinois 62821 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 Pattiki II Mine (I.D. No. 11-03058) 
located in White County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to use a 
200KW, 480-volt, diesel powered generator set with an approved diesel 
drive engine to move equipment in, out, and around the mine and to 
perform work in areas outby section loading points where equipment is 
not required to be maintained permissible. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

5. Hobet Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2002-011-C]

    Hobet Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 305, Madison, West Virginia 25130 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.206(c) 
(Ladders; construction; installation and maintenance) to its Beth 
Station No. 79 Preparation Plant (I.D. No. 46-05398) located in Boone 
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a SAF-T-CLIMB 
fall prevention system on its counterweight tower structure for the 
overland system at the Beth Station No. 9 Preparation Plant in lieu of 
using a vertical ladder. The petitioner states that the counterweights 
are located inside the framework of a structure that is approximately 
30 feet high, that the use of the SAF-T-CLIMB system would ensure the 
safety of individuals working around the counterweights, and that the 
SAF-T-CLIMB system would be installed so that it would be in compliance 
with OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910.27. The petitioner asserts that 
application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of 
safety to the miners.

6. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-2002-012-C]

    Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (Air 
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Deer Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-
00121) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests that Item 
IV(d)(3) & (4) of the proposed decision and order for its previously 
granted petition for modification, docket number M-1999-044-C be 
amended to allow the use of a non-approved diesel grader in the two-
entry section with miners inby for maintenance purposes only. The 
petitioner asserts that the specific terms and conditions listed in 
this petition would be met before implementing its proposed amendments 
and that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

7. Snyder Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2002-013-C]

    Snyder Coal Company, 66 Snyder Lane, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a) 
(Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its N & L Slope 
Mine (I.D. No. 36-02203) located in Northumberland County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to 
permit use of only portable fire extinguishers to replace existing 
requirements where rock dust, water cars, and other water storage 
equipped with three (3) ten quart pails is not practical. The 
petitioner proposes to use two (2) fire extinguishers near the slope 
bottom and an additional portable fire extinguisher within 500 feet of 
the working face for equivalent fire protection for the N & L Slope 
Mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
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 April 22, 2002. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 15th day of March 2002.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 02-6796 Filed 3-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P