[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 51305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19914]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification

    The following party has filed a petition to modify the application 
of an existing safety standard under section 101(c) of the Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Mountain Coal Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-2002-061-C]

    Mountain Coal Company, LLC, 5174 Highway 133, P.O. Box 591, 
Somerset, Colorado 81434 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.321(a)(2) (Air quality) to its West Elk Mine (I.D. No. 05-
03672) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard to allow personnel to work in bleeder 
entries where the air quality contains a minimum of 18.0% oxygen. The 
petitioner states that the stipulations listed below, along with others 
listed in the petition, would be followed when its proposed alternative 
method is implemented: (a) Work in bleeder entries would be limited to 
what is necessary to complete required weekly examinations and maintain 
the bleeder in travelable condition such as pumping water, repairing 
water pumping system, installing additional supplemental roof support, 
calibrating sensors, etc.; (b) Oxygen sensors would be installed to 
continuously monitor the oxygen content every 4000 feet in the bleeder 
entry where the oxygen content is less than 19.5%; and (c) Training 
would be provided to all personnel assigned to work in the bleeder 
entries in the hazards of oxygen deficiency and the stipulations of 
this petition. The petitioner states that the reduced oxygen content in 
the bleeder entry would not affect the purpose of the bleeder entry for 
methane control. 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, 1100 
Wilson Boulevard, Room 2352, Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939. All 
comments must be postmarked or received in that office on or before 
September 6, 2002. Copies of these petitions are available for 
inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 1st day of August, 2002.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 02-19914 Filed 8-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P