[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 40701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17138]


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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. San Juan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2003-047-C]

    San Juan Coal Company, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20004-2595 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.321(a)(1) (Air quality) to its San Juan South Underground Mine (MSHA 
I.D. No. 29-02170) located in San Juan County, New Mexico. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
oxygen levels below 19.5% in the tailgate entry adjacent to the last 
shield on the longwall face in the San Juan South Underground Mine to 
eliminate air quality, and rib and roof fall hazards to the miners in 
lieu of adjusting ventilation controls in the affected area if less 
than 19.5% oxygen is detected there. The petitioner asserts that 
application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of 
safety to the miner and that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.
    2. Snyder Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2003-048-C]

    Snyder Coal Company, 66 Snyder Lane, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.381 
(Escapeways; anthracite mines) to its Rattling Run Slope (MSHA I.D. No. 
36-08713) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the existing standard to permit two separate 
travelable passageways designated as escapeways in lieu of two 
travelable passageways designated as escapeways that must be on 
distinct air courses. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.
    3. Drummond Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-049-C]

    Drummond Company, Inc., PO Box 10246, Birmingham, Alabama 35202 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.507 (Power 
connection points) to its Shoal Creek Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 01-02901) 
located in Jefferson County, Alabama. The petitioner proposes to use 
4,160-volt, three-phase, alternating current deepwell submersible pumps 
in boreholes in it Shoal Creek 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, 1100 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 2352, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments must be 
postmarked or received in that office on or before August 7, 2003. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, VA, this 30th day of June 2003.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 03-17138 Filed 7-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P