[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 3566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1299]



[[Page 3566]]

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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. Six M Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2004-053-C]

    Six M Coal Company, 482 High Road, Ashland, Pennsylvania 17921 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400 (Hoisting 
equipment; general) to its No. 1 Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09138) 
located in Daupin County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use 
a slope conveyance (gunboat) in transporting persons without installing 
safety catches or other no less effective devices. The petitioner would 
instead use increased rope strength and secondary safety rope 
connections in place of such devices. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

2. Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2005-001-C]

    Consol Pennsylvania 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 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 the use of 
monitoring stations in lieu of walking the complete entries of the 
return air course. The petitioner proposes to establish three 
monitoring stations in the affected area of the air course and have a 
certified person examine the stations on a weekly basis to determine 
the quantity and quality of air entering and exiting the stations. The 
petitioner states that the air quality measurements will be made using 
an MSHA approved hand-held methane and oxygen meter, and the examiner 
will record their initials, and the date and time of examinations on a 
date board maintained at each monitoring station, and in a book kept on 
the surface. 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 Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov; E-
mail: [email protected]; Fax: (202) 693-9441; or Regular Mail/Hand 
Delivery/Courier: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 
2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments must be postmarked or 
received in that office on or before February 24, 2005. Copies of these 
petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 18th day of January 2005.
Rebecca J. Smith,
Deputy Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 05-1299 Filed 1-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P