[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 119 (Thursday, June 19, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35057-35058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13633]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

30 CFR Part 18

RIN 1219-AB60


Conveyor Belt Combustion Toxicity and Smoke Density

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Request for information.

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

SUMMARY: MSHA is requesting information from the public on smoke 
density and combustion toxicity tests that may be used to evaluate the 
fire hazard of conveyor belting and similar materials used in 
underground coal mines.

DATES: All comments must be received by midnight eastern standard time 
on August 18, 2008.

ADDRESSES:
    Comments: Comments must be clearly identified with ``RIN 1219-
AB60'' and may be sent to MSHA by any of the following methods:
    (1) Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    (2) Electronic mail: [email protected]. Include ``RIN 1219-
AB60'' in the subject line of the message.
    (3) Facsimile: (202) 693-9441. Include ``RIN 1219-AB60'' in the 
subject.
    (4) Regular Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and 
Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-
3939.
    (5) Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, 
Virginia 22209-3939. Sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st 
floor.
    Comments can be accessed electronically at http://www.msha.gov 
under the ``Rules and Regs'' link. MSHA will post all comments on the 
Internet without change, including any personal information provided. 
Comments may also be reviewed at the Office of Standards, Regulations, 
and Variances, 1100 Wilson Blvd., Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia. Sign 
in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
    MSHA maintains a listserve that enables subscribers to receive e-
mail notification when rulemaking documents are published in the 
Federal Register. To subscribe to the listserve, go to http://www.msha.gov/subscriptions/subscribe.aspx.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, 1100 Wilson Blvd, Room 
2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939, [email protected] (e-mail), 
(202) 693-9440 (voice), or (202) 693-9441 (Fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    Under section 11 of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response 
(MINER) Act of 2006, the Secretary of Labor established the Technical 
Study Panel on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire 
Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining 
(Panel) to conduct an independent scientific engineering review and to 
make recommendations with respect to the utilization of belt air and 
flame retardant properties of belt materials for use in underground 
coal mines. The Panel issued its final report on December 20, 2007. In 
a separate rulemaking published in today's Federal Register, MSHA is 
proposing to revise its approval test in existing regulations on flame-
resistant conveyor belts for use in underground coal mines in 
accordance with section 101 of the Mine Act.
    During the Technical Study Panel meeting in March, 2007, the Panel 
received information on hazards associated from the combustion products 
of burning conveyor belt. This information is related to combustion 
toxicity and smoke density generated from burning conveyor belt 
material. Those presenting the information to the Panel did not provide 
data on specific hazards or specific tests used to measure combustion 
toxicity and smoke density. Consequently, MSHA is requesting 
information on the tests, hazard evaluation studies and the application 
of data and methods for assessing the smoke density and toxic potency 
of smoke and other products produced from the combustion of conveyor 
belts and similar materials.

II. Information Request

    MSHA is specifically soliciting information on:
    1. Tests and related technical information including:

--The test method;
--The material or materials that the test is designed for;
--The advantages and disadvantages of the test;
--Research reports, technical studies and hazard assessment methods, 
incident reports involving the health and safety effects of smoke and 
combustion products on persons, conclusions, and technical opinions; 
and
--Costs of materials, labor, and the apparatus or equipment for 
conducting the tests.

    2. Test methods used by international governmental agencies and 
other organizations (i.e., Australia, the European Economic Union) for 
smoke density or toxicity potency of smoke and other products produced 
from the of combustion of conveyor belting or similar materials. Please 
include:

--The health and safety benefits associated with compliance with the 
test methods and other requirements;
--The associated costs of compliance.

    3. Requirements, standards and test methods for fire safety 
relating to smoke density and toxicity for materials such as electric 
cables where the test or information could be used to evaluate smoke 
density or the toxic potency of smoke and other products produced from 
combustion of conveyor belting or similar materials. MSHA is 
particularly interested in standards by private standard setting 
organizations such as the International Standards Organization and the 
National Fire Protection Association; and the States of California and 
New York. Please exclude information on materials that would not be 
relevant to underground coal mining, such as fabrics, wall board and 
surface coverings. Please report

[[Page 35058]]

compliance experience with the requirements, test methods or standards.
    4. Scientific studies, data, and test methods on new technologies 
and materials with respect to halogenated materials and halogen-free 
materials that pertain to reducing the smoke producing properties and 
combustion toxicity of such materials.
    5. New technologies and materials that result in reduced smoke and 
toxic products of combustion that would be relevant to conveyor belts 
and related materials for use in underground coal mines.
    6. If such materials are commercially available and could be used 
in underground coal mines, what is the difference in cost and 
performance between conventional materials and these new materials?

    Dated: June 11, 2008.
Richard E. Stickler,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
 [FR Doc. E8-13633 Filed 6-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P