[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51220-51221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14308]


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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. Eastern Associated Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2006-024-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal, LLC, HCR 78, Box 113, Wharton, West 
Virginia 25208 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Harris No. 1 Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 46-01271) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of battery-powered non-permissible computers in or inby the 
last open crosscut, including in the return airway. The petitioner 
proposes to use the hand-held computers to allow supervisors and 
selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety 
observations during work processes. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

2. Eastern Associated Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2006-025-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal, LLC, HCR 78, Box 113, Wharton, West 
Virginia 25208 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Matewan Tunnel Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 46-08610) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of battery-powered non-permissible computers in or inby the 
last open crosscut, including in the return airway. The petitioner 
proposes to use the hand-held computers to allow supervisors and 
selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety 
observations during work processes. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

3. Eastern Associated Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2006-026-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal, LLC, St. Rt. 85, HCR 78, P.O. Box 113, 
Wharton, WV 25208 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Powellton Tunnel 
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-08762) located in Boone County, West Virginia. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to 
permit the use of battery-powered non-permissible computers in or inby 
the last open crosscut, including in the return airway. The petitioner 
proposes to use the hand-held computers to allow supervisors and 
selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety 
observations during work processes. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

4. Eastern Associated Coal, LLC

[Docket No. M-2006-027-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal, LLC, P.O. Box 29, Wharton, West Virginia 
25208 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Wharton 1 Tunnel Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 46-05071) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of battery-powered non-permissible computers in or inby the 
last open crosscut, including in the return airway. The petitioner 
proposes to use the hand-held computers to allow supervisors and 
selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety 
observations during work processes. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

5. Rivers Edge Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2006-028-C]

    Rivers Edge Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 120, Wharton, West Virginia 
25208 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Rivers Edge Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 46-08890) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of battery-powered non-permissible computers in or inby the 
last open crosscut, including in the return airway. The petitioner 
proposes to use the hand-held computers to allow supervisors and 
selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety 
observations during work processes. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

6. Pine Ridge Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-029-C]

    Pine Ridge Coal Company, 50 Schoolhouse Road, Seth, West Virginia 
25181 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.500(d) (Permissible electric equipment) to its Big Mountain No. 16 
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-07908) located in Boone County, West Virginia. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to 
permit the use of battery-powered non-permissible computers in or inby 
the last open crosscut, including in the return airway. The petitioner 
proposes to use the hand-held computers to allow supervisors and 
selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety 
observations during work processes. The petitioner asserts that the

[[Page 51221]]

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

7. Orchard Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-030-C]

    Orchard Coal Company, 214 Vaux Road, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1714-2(c) 
(Self-rescue devices; use and location requirements) to its Orchard 
Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-08346) located in Schuylkill County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing 
standard to permit self-contained self-rescue (SCSR) devices to be 
stored within 200 feet of the working face. The petitioner states that 
in steeply pitching, conventional anthracite mines, entries are 
advanced as far as 200 feet vertically, which exposes the miner to trip 
and fall hazards. The petitioner further states that the necessity of 
carrying supplies up narrow entries while wearing the SCSRs may result 
in damage to the SCSR and also may result in a diminution of safety to 
the miner. The petitioner asserts that modification of the standard 
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]. Include ``petitions for 
modification'' in the subject line of the e-mail. Comments can also be 
submitted by fax, regular mail, or hand-delivery. If faxing your 
comments, include ``petitions for modification'' on the subject line of 
the fax. Comments by regular mail or hand-delivery should be submitted 
to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, 
Arlington, Virginia 22209. If hand-delivered, you are required to stop 
by the 21st floor to check in with the receptionist. All comments must 
be postmarked or received by the Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances on or before September 28, 2006. Copies of the petitions are 
available for inspection at that address.

    Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 21st day of August 2006.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. E6-14308 Filed 8-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P