[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56178-56180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8247]



[[Page 56178]]

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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 and 30 CFR part 44.

1. Orchard Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-033-C]

    Orchard Coal Company, 214 Vaux Road, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.381(c)(5) 
(Escapeways; anthracite mines) 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 eliminate the 
requirement to use a continuous directional lifeline at the Orchard 
Slope Mine. The petitioner states that: (1) The pitching seams in the 
anthracite coal mines are inherently directional; (2) the entries are 
either driven horizontal in one direction or vertical with the pitching 
geology; (3) when entering the mine if the mine roof is on your right 
side, it is basic knowledge to know that when leaving the mine, the 
mine roof is on your left side; and (4) even if vision is impaired, it 
is impossible to lose your sense of direction, simply by the location 
of the roof and rib. The petitioner asserts that application of the 
existing standard would cause a diminution of safety to the miners 
because to stretch any type of line across the opening of a vertical 
entry could result in a tripping hazard with a fall potential in excess 
of 30 to 60 feet.

2. R S & W Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-034-C]

    R S & W Coal Company, 207 Creek Road, Klingerstown, Pennsylvania 
17941 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.381(c)(5) (Escapeways; anthracite Mines) to its R S & W Slope Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 36-01818) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 
The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to 
eliminate the requirement to use a continuous directional lifeline at 
the R S & W Slope Mine. The petitioner states that: (1) The pitching 
seams in the anthracite coal mines are inherently directional; (2) the 
entries are either driven horizontal in one direction or vertical with 
the pitching geology; (3) when entering the mine if the mine roof is on 
your right side, it is basic knowledge to know that when leaving the 
mine, the mine roof is on your left side; and (4) even if vision is 
impaired, it is impossible to lose your sense of direction, simply by 
the location of the roof and rib. The petitioner asserts that 
application of the existing standard would cause a diminution of safety 
to the miners because to stretch any type of line across the opening of 
a vertical entry could result in a tripping hazard with a fall 
potential in excess of 30 to 60 feet.

3. R & D Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-035-C]

    R & D 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 R & D Slope 
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-02053) 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 which is less than 1 minute 
travel time. 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 and 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.

4. R & D Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2006-036-C]

    R & D Coal Company, 214 Vaux Road, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.381(c)(5) 
(Escapeways; anthracite mines) to its R & D Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 
36-02053) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the existing standard to eliminate the 
requirement to use a continuous directional lifeline at the R & D Slope 
Mine. The petitioner states that: (1) The pitching seams in the 
anthracite coal mines are inherently directional; (2) the entries are 
either driven horizontal in one direction or vertical with the pitching 
geology; (3) when entering the mine if the mine roof is on your right 
side, it is basic knowledge to know that when leaving the mine, the 
mine roof is on your left side; and (4) even if vision is impaired, it 
is impossible to lose your sense of direction, simply by the location 
of the roof and rib. The petitioner asserts that application of the 
existing standard would cause a diminution of safety to the miners 
because to stretch any type of line across the opening of a vertical 
entry could result in a tripping hazard with a fall potential in excess 
of 30 to 60 feet.

5. Ohio County Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-037-C]

    Ohio County Coal Company, 19050 Highway 1078 South, Henderson, 
Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.1101-1(b) (Deluge-type water spray systems) to its Freedom Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 15-17587) located in Henderson County, Kentucky. In lieu 
of providing nozzles with blow-off dust covers, the petitioner proposes 
to: (1) Conduct a weekly visual examination of each deluge-type water 
spray fire suppression system; (2) conduct a weekly functional test of 
the deluge-type water spray fire suppression systems by actuating the 
system and observing its performance; and (3) record the results of the 
examination and functional test in a book maintained on the surface and 
made available to authorized representatives of the Secretary and 
retained at the mine for one year by a person trained in the testing 
procedures specific to the deluge-type water spray fire suppression 
systems at each belt drive. The petitioner states that if any 
malfunction or clogged nozzle is detected, corrections will be made 
immediately, and the procedures used to perform the functional test 
will be posted at or near each belt drive that uses a deluge-type water 
spray fire suppression system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the existing standard.

6. S & M Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-038-C]

    S & M Coal Company, 1744 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City, Pennsylvania 
17980 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.381(c)(5) (Escapeways; anthracite mines) to its S & M Slope Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 36-02022) located in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to 
eliminate the requirement to use the continuous directional lifeline at 
the S & M Slope Mine. The petitioner states that: (1) The pitching 
seams in the anthracite coal mines are inherently directional; (2) the 
entries are either driven horizontal in one direction or vertical with 
the pitching geology; (3) when entering the mine if the mine roof is on 
your right side, it is basic knowledge to know that when leaving the 
mine, the mine roof is on your left side; and (4) even if vision is 
impaired,

[[Page 56179]]

it is impossible to lose your sense of direction, simply by the 
location of the roof and rib. The petitioner asserts that application 
of the existing standard would cause a diminution of safety to the 
miners because to stretch any type of line across the opening of a 
vertical entry could result in a tripping hazard with a fall potential 
in excess of 30 to 60 feet.

7. S & M Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-039-C]

    S & M Coal Company, 1744 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City, Pennsylvania 
17980 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1714-
2(c) (Self-rescue devices; use and location requirements) to its S & M 
Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-02022) located in Dauphin 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 a steep pitch mine, the passageways are very thin and have a 3-foot 
ceiling clearance. 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.

8. Orchard Coal Company

[Docket No. M-2006-041-C]

    Orchard Coal Company, 214 Vaux Road, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360 
(Preshift examination at fixed intervals) to its Orchard Slope Mine 
(MSHA I.D. No. 36-08346) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 
The petitioner proposes to: (1) Conduct an examination and evaluation, 
including a visual examination of each seal for physical damage, from 
the slope gunboat during the pre-shift examination after an air 
quantity reading is taken just inby the intake portal; (2) take an 
additional air reading and gas test for methane and oxygen deficiency 
at the intake air split location(s) just off the slope in the gangway 
portion of the working section; and (3) have the examiner place the 
date, time and his/her initials at locations where air readings and gas 
test are taken, with the results properly recorded prior to anyone 
entering the mine. The petitioner states that regardless of conditions 
found at the section evaluation point, the slope will be traveled and 
physically examined for its entire length on a monthly basis with 
dates, times, and initials placed at sufficient locations throughout 
and results of the examination recorded on the surface, and any hazards 
will be corrected prior to transporting personnel in the slope. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard for 
the following reasons: (1) Miners would have to climb around platform 
ladder obstructions increasing the risk of falling; (2) when a platform 
is not provided, a significant injury or fall exists when a miner gets 
in and out of the gunboat when conducting examinations; (3) accurate 
readings cannot be obtained with the gunboat blocking a major portion 
of the intake slope and platforms installed across the intake would 
almost totally restrict the mine's only intake; (4) the intake slope is 
also the location for electrical conductors and discharge piping the 
pump system located in the sump area and since the intake haulage slope 
is the only intake for the mine, oxygen deficiency is highly unlikely; 
and (5) thorough examination of the intake haulage slope on a monthly 
basis will ensure the safety of miners traveling the intake escapeway 
and would minimize the fall hazard potential of miners conducting 
examinations.

9. Drummond Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2006-042-C]

    Drummond Company, Inc., P.O. Box 10246, Birmingham, Alabama 35202 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.507 (Power 
connection points) to its Shoal Creek Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 01-02901) 
located in Jefferson County, Alabama. The petitioner requests 
modification of the existing standard which pertains to ``all power-
connection points outby the last open crosscut shall be in intake 
air.'' The petitioner proposes to use three-phase, alternating current 
deep-well submersible pumps in boreholes or shafts in the Shoal Creek 
Mine. Petitioner states that the three-phase alternative significantly 
reduces the exposure of employees to travel in remote areas and 
significantly improves the de-watering process at the Shoal Creek Mine. 
Thus, the petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would 
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing 
standard.

10. Hanson Aggregates Pma, Inc.

[Docket No. M-2006-003-M]

    Hanson Aggregates Pma Inc., 394 Quarry Road, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 
15650 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.4461 
(Gasoline use restrictions underground) to its Whitney Plant (MSHA I.D. 
No. 36-08284) located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit 
the use of gasoline-powered trucks to transport personnel into and out 
of the mine as an equivalent safe method of evacuating the mine in the 
event that certain passageways could not be used in an emergency. The 
petitioner proposes to provide an escape and evacuation plan that will: 
(1) Notify all underground personnel of an emergency by means of strobe 
light; (2) instruct all personnel to evacuate the mine in an emergency; 
and (3) instruct all mine personnel to follow the primary evacuation 
route, or follow the secondary escape route if the primary route is not 
passable. The petitioner states that if the mine portal is considered 
to be unsafe, the mine personnel will meet at the clock office. The 
petitioner further states that: (1) The proposed alternative method of 
compliance provides equivalent or superior safety to the application of 
the existing standard because it reduces the potential health risk; (2) 
the mine design that permits ready evacuation in under an hour from all 
points, even where some passageways may be bermed or barricaded off due 
to inactive status or because ground conditions may require 
remediation; and (3) application of the existing standard is infeasible 
and impractical at the Whitney Plant due to the historical use of 
gasoline-powered trucks to transport personnel into and out of the mine 
and the potential health risk from diesel particulate matter associated 
with diesel-powered trucks.

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 October 26, 2006. Copies of the petitions are 
available for inspection at that address.


[[Page 56180]]


    Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 19th day of September 2006.
Ria Moore Benedict,
Deputy Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 06-8247 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P