[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 218 (Wednesday, November 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 64129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28247]


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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. Hoffmann, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-076-C]

    Hoffmann, Inc., 6001 49th Street South, Muscatine, Iowa 52761 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.206(c) 
(Ladders; construction; installation and maintenance) to the Goals Coal 
Company's Goals Preparation Plant (MSHA I.D. No. 46-05317) located in 
Raleigh County, West Virginia. The petitioner is currently constructing 
a concrete silo at the Mine. The petitioner requests a modification of 
the standard to allow the use of ladder safety devices in lieu of 
backguards or ladder cages on temporary ladders installed for workers 
to access scaffold platforms during construction of the silo. The 
safety devices would consist of a full-body harness connected to an 
independent lifeline. Workers would be required to wear these devices 
while ascending or descending the ladders. The petitioner states that 
compliance with the existing standard is not feasible during 
construction of the silo, and the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

2. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2003-077-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.507 (Power connection points) to its Robinson Run 
95 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-01318) located in Harrison County, 
West Virginia. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit non-permissible submersible pumps to be installed in 
bleeder and return entries and sealed areas of the Robinson Run 
95 Mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the 
existing standard.

3. Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2003-078-C]

    Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.507 (Power connection points) to its Enlow Fork Mine (MSHA 
I.D. No. 36-07416) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
non-permissible submersible pumps to be installed in bleeder and return 
entries and sealed areas of the Enlow Fork Mine. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the existing standard.

4. Glady Fork Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-079-C]

    Glady Fork Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 430, Buckhannon, West Virginia 
26201 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b)(4) (Weekly examination) to its Mine No. 1 (MSHA I.D. No. 46-
01162) located in Upshur County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes 
to use an alternative method to examine the air in certain areas of the 
return air course. The petitioner states that there are nine seals 
within approximately 1000 feet that would be unsafe to travel for 
examination due to fallen walkway and deteriorating roof conditions. 
The petitioner proposes to check the air going into seals on the intake 
side in 3 locations, and return 1 location of the affected area, and 
check the quality of air entering the seals at 3 locations and return 1 
location on a daily basis until all production has ceased and all 
equipment has been removed from the mine. The petitioner states that 
all air will be directed to the main return within approximately 1000 
feet of the main fan and that its proposed alternative method for the 
Mine No. 1 would exceed the existing standard.

5. KenAmerican Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-080-C]

    KenAmerican Resources, Inc., 7590 State Route 181, Central City, 
Kentucky 42330 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b)(2) (Weekly examination) to its Paradise 9 Mine (MSHA 
I.D. No. 15-17741) located in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to establish a Measuring Point Location in the Main 
East return at x-cut 10 (MPL 1B) and the ventilation entries 
at x-cut 7 (MPL C & D), and in the Main North return at x-cut 
1. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

6. Bowie Resources Limited

[Docket No. M-2003-081-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. 3 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 05-04758) located in Delta County, 
Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit the use of high-voltage continuous miners inby the 
last open crosscut and within 150 feet of the pillar workings. 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 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments must be 
postmarked or received in that office on or before December 12, 2003. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 5th day of November, 2003.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 03-28247 Filed 11-10-03; 8:45 am]
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