[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 16311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8020]


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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. HB Coal Co., Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-021-C]

    HB Coal Co., Inc., 22 Mary Ann Dr., Gray, Kentucky 40734 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342 (Methane 
monitors) to its No. 1 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 15-18606) located in Whitley 
County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use hand-held continuous-
duty methane and oxygen detectors in lieu of machine mounted methane 
monitors on three-wheel tractors with drag bottom buckets. The 
petitioner asserts that the operator will be qualified in the proper 
use of said detector and that application of the existing standard 
would reduce the safety of the miners.

2. HB Coal Co., Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-022-C]

    HB Coal Co., Inc., 22 Mary Ann Dr., Gray, Kentucky 40734 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4)(i) 
(Escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its No. 1 Mine (MSHA I.D. 
No. 15-18606) located in Whitley County, Kentucky. The petitioner 
proposes to use two ten-pound portable chemical fire extinguishers in 
the operator's deck of each Mescher tractor operated at its No. 1 Mine. 
The petitioner states that the equipment operator will inspect each 
fire extinguisher on a daily basis prior to entering the primary 
escapeway. The petitioner further states that a record of the daily 
inspection will be kept at the mine, and a sufficient number of spare 
fire extinguishers will be maintained at the mine in case a defective 
fire extinguisher is detected. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

3. Bowie Resources Limited

[Docket No. M-2003-023-C]

    Bowie Resources Limited, P.O. Box 483, Paonia, Colorado 81428 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 
(Installation of electric equipment and conductors; permissibility) to 
its Bowie No. 2 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 05-04591) located in Delta County, 
Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to 
allow the use of permissible high-voltage continuous miners inby the 
last open crosscut and within 150 feet of the pillar workings. The 
petitioner states that the high-voltage continuous miner will be used 
to develop longwall gateroads and mains. 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, 1100 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 2352, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments must be 
postmarked or received in that office on or before May 5, 2003. Copies 
of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 27th day of March, 2003.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 03-8020 Filed 4-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P