[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42102-42103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14410]


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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-2005-046-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(e)(2) 
(Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Crandall 
Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of two portable fire extinguishers, or one extinguisher at each 
temporary electrical installation, with at least twice the minimum 
capacity for a portable fire extinguisher in 30 CFR 75.1100-1(e). The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will not result 
in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

2. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2005-047-C]

    West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(e) 
(Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its West Ridge 
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of two portable fire extinguishers, or one portable fire 
extinguisher at each temporary electrical installation, with at least 
twice the minimum capacity for a portable fire extinguisher in 30 CFR 
75.1100-1(e). The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method will not result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

3. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2005-048-C]

    Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(e)(2) 
(Quantity and location of firefighting 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 permit 
the use of two portable fire extinguishers, or one portable fire 
extinguisher at each temporary electrical installation, with at least 
twice the minimum capacity for a portable fire extinguisher in 30 CFR 
75.1100-1(e). The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method will not result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

4. Andalex Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2005-049-C]

    Andalex Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(e)(2) 
(Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Pinnacle Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 42-01474) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the existing standard to permit the use of 
two portable fire extinguishers, or one portable fire extinguisher at 
each temporary electrical installation, with at least twice the minimum 
capacity for a portable fire extinguisher in 30 CFR 75.1100-1(e). The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will not result 
in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

5. Andalex Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2005-050-C]

    Andalex Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1077, Price, Utah 84501 has filed 
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002(a) (Installation 
of electric equipment and conductors; permissibility) to its Aberdeen 
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-02028) located in

[[Page 42103]]

Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to permit the use of low-voltage or battery-powered 
non-permissible, electronic testing, diagnostic equipment or other 
equipment within 150 feet of pillar workings, under controlled 
conditions. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
will not result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the 
proposed alternative method based on provisions in 30 CFR 75.153 would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

6. Bear Gap Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2005-051-C]

    Bear Gap Coal Company, P.O. Box 64, Spring Glen, Pennsylvania 17978 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(a)(2) (Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its 
6 Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09296) located in Dauphin 
County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to permit the use of portable fire extinguishers only 
to replace existing requirements where rock dust, water cars, and other 
water storage equipped with three 10 quart pails is not practical. The 
petitioner proposes to use two portable fire extinguishers near the 
slope bottom and an additional portable fire extinguisher within 500 
feet of the working face. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

7. Bear Gap Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2005-052-C]

    Bear Gap Coal Company, P.O. Box 64, Spring Glen, Pennsylvania 17978 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400 
(Hoisting equipment; general) to its 6 Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. 
No. 36-09296) located in Dauphin 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 operate its man cage or steel gunboat with 
secondary safety connections securely fastened around the gunboat, and 
to the hoisting rope above the main connecting device, and use hoisting 
ropes with a factor of safety in excess of the 4 to 8 to 1 as suggested 
in the American Standards Specifications for the use of wire ropes in 
mines. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

9. Bear Gap Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2005-053-C]

    Bear Gap Coal Company, P.O. Box 64, Spring Glen, Pennsylvania 17978 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 
(Construction of seals) to its 6 Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-
09296) located in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes 
constructing seals from wooden materials of moderate size and weight; 
designing the seals to withstand a static horizontal pressure in the 
range of 10 psi; and installing a sampling tube only in the monkey 
(higher elevation) seal. The petitioner asserts that because of the 
pitch of anthracite veins, concrete blocks are difficult to use and 
expose miners to safety hazards during transport. The petitioner cites 
the low level of explosibility of anthracite coal dust and the minimal 
potential for either an accumulation of methane in previously mined 
pitching veins or an ignition source in the gob area as justification 
for the proposed 10 psi design criterion. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as the existing standard.

10. Black Beauty Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2005-054-C]

    Black Beauty Coal Company, 3609 South Hart Street, Vincennes, 
Indiana 47591 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.380(d)(5) (Escapeway; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Air 
Quality 1 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 12-02010) located in Knox 
County, Indiana. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit the continued use of the existing Escapeway from 
Unit 1 (1L/MS) number 1 entry at number 56 crosscut 
to the Main South (number 7 entry number 61 crosscut) intake 
Escapeway. 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 August 22, 2005. Copies of these 
petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated in Arlington, Virginia this 15th day of July 2005.
Rebecca J. Smith,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 05-14410 Filed 7-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P