[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67217-67219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29746]


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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. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-082-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (Air courses and 
belt haulage entries) to its South Crandall Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 
42-02356) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the existing standard to allow the use of two-entry 
longwall development. The petitioner proposes to use the belt entry as 
a return air course during two-entry longwall development, and as an 
intake air course during longwall extraction to insure an adequate 
quantity of ventilation to dilute and render harmless any methane or 
other noxious gases that otherwise may accumulate. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard and will not result 
in a diminution of safety to the affected miners.

2. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-083-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500 (Permissible 
electric equipment) to its South Crandall Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 
42-02356) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the existing standard to allow for the use of specific 
electronic equipment for testing and diagnostics on permissible 
equipment, for which permissible testing and diagnostic equipment is 
not readily available or approved. This will allow use of testing and 
diagnostic equipment in those locations within the mine where 
permissible electric equipment is required. The petitioner proposes to 
use the following non-permissible low-voltage or battery powered 
electronic testing and diagnostic equipment: lap top computers, 
oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault detectors, 
point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices and recorders, 
pressure and flow measurement devices, signal analyzer devices, 
ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic component testers, electronic 
tachometers and battery operated drills. The petitioner states that 
other testing and diagnostic equipment may be used if approved in 
advance by MSHA's District Office. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

[[Page 67218]]

3. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-084-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) (Underground 
high-voltage cables) to its South Crandall Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 
42-02356) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the existing standard to allow the use of high-voltage 
cables for longwall equipment, with an insulated internal ground check 
conductor smaller than a No. 10 (AWG), and the ground check conductor 
not smaller than a No. 16 (AWG). The type of high-voltage cables for 
longwall equipment will be Cablec Anaconda grand 5KV 3/C type SHD+GC, 
Pirelli 5KV 3/C type SHD-CENTER-GC or Tiger Grand 5KV type SHC-CGC, 
MSHA accepted as flame-resistant cable. The ground check conductor will 
not be smaller than a No. 16 (AWG) stranded conductor. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard.

4. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-085-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) (Location 
of other electric equipment; requirements for permissibility) now 30 
CFR 75.1002 (Installation of electric equipment and conductors; 
permissibility) to its South Crandall Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-
02356) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the existing standard to allow for the use of specific 
electronic equipment for testing and diagnostics on permissible 
equipment, for which permissible testing and diagnostic equipment is 
not readily available or approved, in those locations within the mine 
where permissible electric equipment is required. The petitioner 
proposes to use the following non-permissible low-voltage or battery 
powered electronic testing and diagnostic equipment: lap top computers, 
oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault detectors, 
point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices and recorders, 
pressure and flow measurement devices, signal analyzer devices, 
ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic component testers, electronic 
tachometers and battery operated drills. The petitioner states that 
other testing and diagnostic equipment may be used if approved in 
advance by MSHA's District Office. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

5. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2003-086-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (Water 
sprinkler systems; arrangement of sprinklers) to its South Crandall 
Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-02356) located in Emery County, Utah. The 
petitioner proposes to use a water sprinkler system that consists of a 
single overhead pipe system with automatic sprinklers located not more 
than 10 feet apart so that the water discharged from the sprinklers 
will cover 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet of non-fire 
resistant belt adjacent to the belt drive. In addition, automatic 
sprinklers would be located not more than 10 feet apart so that the 
water discharged from the sprinkler(s) will cover the drive motor(s), 
belt take-up, electrical controls, and gear reducing unit for each belt 
drive. The petitioner has listed in this petition for modification, 
specific procedures that would be followed when using the proposed 
water sprinkler system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

6. White County Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2003-087-C]

    White County Coal, LLC, 1525 County Road 1300 North Carmi, Illinois 
62821 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 
(Oil and gas wells) to its Pattiki II Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 11-03058) 
located in White County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to plug oil 
and gas wells using the proven techniques described in this petition 
and then mine in close proximity or through such plugged wells using 
the specific procedures listed in the petition for modification. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

7. D & D Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2003-088-C]

    D & D Coal Company, 320 East Main Street, Hegins, Pennsylvania 
17938 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.311(b)(2) and (b)(3) (Main mine fan operation) to its Primrose Slope 
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-08341) located in Schuylkill County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit the electrical circuits entering the underground 
mine to remain energized to the mine's pumps while the main fan has 
been intentionally shut down during idle shifts when no miners are 
working underground. The petitioner has listed in this petition 
specific terms and conditions that would be followed when implementing 
the proposed alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

8. Warrior Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2003-089-C]

    Warrior Coal, LLC, 57 J. E. Ellis Road, Madisonville, Kentucky 
42431 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 
(Oil and gas wells) to its West Ridge Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 15-17216) 
located in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to mine 
through oil and gas wells in all mineable coal beds using the specific 
terms and conditions listed in this petition. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as the existing standard.

9. Kingwood Mining Company, LLC

[Docket No. M-2003-090-C]

    Kingwood Mining Company, LLC, Route 1, Box 294C, Newburg, West 
Virginia 26410 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.503 (Permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its 
Whitetail K--Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-08751) located in Preston County, 
West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use 4 A.W.G. and 
2 A.W.G. portable trailing cables up to a maximum length of 
750 feet to supply 575-volt, three phase, alternating current to roof 
bolting machines and shuttle cars using the specific terms and 
conditions listed in this petition. 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 31, 2003. 
Copies of these

[[Page 67219]]

petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 17th day of November, 2003.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 03-29746 Filed 11-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P