[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 122 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35686-35687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14399]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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. Penn Big Bed Slate Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2004-006-M]

    Penn Big Bed Slate Company, Inc., 8450 Brown Street, P.O. Box 184, 
Slatington, Pennsylvania 18080 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 56.19012 (Grooved drums) (MSHA I.D. No. 36-00207) 
located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard concerning the oversized grooves on the 
drums for cranes used at the Manhattan Quarry. The petitioner states 
that the \5/8\-inch size rope does not flatten nor restrict the free 
sliding action of the wires and strands. The petitioner further states 
that the rope has 30 to 65 feet cut-off to ensure that the rope is 
safe. The petitioner has listed specific terms and conditions in this 
petition for modification to support the use of its proposed 
alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the oversized grooves 
will not create any unsafe conditions, and that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

2. Eastern Associated Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-2004-023-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, 1970 Barrett Court, P.O. Box 
1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b) (Weekly examination) to its Federal No. 
2 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-01456) located in Monogalia County, West 
Virginia. Due to deteriorating conditions in portions of the main 
return air courses (North Airways and South Airways) in the C Shaft 
area, the petitioner proposes to establish evaluation points to monitor 
the air moving through the affected areas. The petitioner will 
establish two evaluation points in the North airways at the outby end 
of the area, and in the inby end of the North Airways due to roof 
falls; establish one evaluation point in the South Airway at the intake 
end near 2 East Mains due to massive roof falls in the south area of 
the C Shaft and use current evaluation points at the C Shaft to monitor 
for harmful gases; and establish one evaluation point in 1 East Mains 
at the inby end of the affected area. The petitioner states that a 
certified person will check the evaluation points at least every 7 days 
to determine the quantity and quality of air in the affected area, and 
record their initials, the date, and time of the examination(s) on a 
date board that will be located at each evaluation point; and that 
methane in excess of 2.0 percent will not be allowed to accumulate in 
any airway. If methane increases 0.5 percent or more, an immediate 
investigation will be conducted in the affected area. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as the existing standard and will eliminate 
the hazard of people working in the affected area.

3. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2004-024-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15241 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.364(b)(2) (Weekly examination) to its Loveridge No. 22 Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 46-01433) located in Marion County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard which 
requires a certified person to make a weekly examination of the return 
air course from the Sugar Run seals to the 3 North Bleeder seals. Due 
to deteriorating rib and roof conditions, traveling the entire area of 
the Sugar Run 3 North Bleeder seals to make weekly examinations would 
expose personnel to hazardous conditions. The petitioner proposes to 
establish evaluation check points 1 and 2 to evaluate and confirm the 
proper ventilation between the Sugar Run seals and the 3 North Bleeder 
seal areas through the Main North headings. The petitioner states that 
these check points will be maintained in a safe condition at all times; 
and the quality and quantity of air at the check points will be 
measured on a weekly basis by a certified person who will record his/
her initials, the date, and the time of the examinations in a record 
book that will be kept on the surface for six months and made available 
for inspection by

[[Page 35687]]

interested persons. 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], by fax at (202) 693-9441, or 
by regular mail 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 July 26, 2004. Copies of these 
petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 18th day of June 2004.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 04-14399 Filed 6-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P