[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68649-68651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19169]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory 
Safety Standard

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is a summary of a petition for modification 
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the 
party listed below.

DATES: All comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before September 26, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. MSHA-2024-
0025 by any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments for MSHA-2024-0025.
    2. Fax: 202-693-9441.
    3. Email: [email protected].
    4. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West, 
Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452.
    Attention: S. Aromie Noe, Director, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances. Persons delivering documents are required 
to check in at 4th Floor West. Individuals may inspect copies of the 
petition and comments during normal business hours at the address 
listed above. Before visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455 to make 
an appointment, in keeping with the Department of Labor's COVID-19 
policy. Special health precautions may be required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9440 (voice), 
[email protected] (email), or 202-693-9441 (fax). [These 
are not toll-free numbers.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977 and title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of 
petitions for modification.

I. Background

    Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) allows the mine operator or representative of miners to file 
a petition to modify the application of any mandatory safety standard 
to a coal or other mine if the Secretary of Labor determines that:
    1. An alternative method of achieving the result of such standard 
exists which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure 
of protection afforded the miners of such mine by such standard; or
    2. The application of such standard to such mine will result in a 
diminution of safety to the miners in such mine.
    In addition, sections 44.10 and 44.11 of 30 CFR establish the 
requirements for filing petitions for modification.

II. Petition for Modification

    Docket Number: M-2024-011-C.
    Petitioner: Fossil Rock Resources, LLC, 5125 North Cottonwood Road, 
Orangeville, Utah 84537.
    Mine: Fossil Rock Mine, MSHA ID No. 42-01211, located in Emery 
County, Utah.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1002(a) (Permissible electric 
equipment).
    Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of 30 
CFR 75.1002(a) to permit the use of non-permissible battery powered 
electronic surveying equipment within 150 feet of pillar workings or 
longwall faces.
    The petitioner states that:
    (a) In order to comply with requirements of 30 CFR 75.372 and 30 
CFR 75.1200, use of the most practical and accurate surveying equipment 
is necessary.
    (b) Mechanical surveying equipment has been obsolete for a number 
of years. Such equipment of acceptable quality is not commercially 
available. It is difficult, if not impossible, to have such equipment 
serviced or repaired. Electronic surveying equipment is, at a minimum, 
8-10 times more accurate than mechanical equipment. Fossil Rock mines 
utilize the continuous miner and longwall methods of mining. Accurate 
surveying is critical to the safety of the miners at the Fossil Rock 
Mine.
    (c) Underground mining by its nature, size and complexity of mine 
plans requires that accurate and precise measurements be completed in a 
prompt and efficient manner. Use of electronic surveying equipment 
provides significant safety benefits.
    The petitioner proposes the following alternative method:
    (a) Non-permissible battery powered electronic surveying equipment 
to be used include:
    (1) Sokkia IM-52-2, IP 66, LI-ON 7.2V, 2993mAh and 21.54 Wh;
    (2) An equivalent instrument may be used with the approval of the 
District Manager.
    (b) The equipment used is low voltage or battery-powered non-
permissible total stations and theodolites. All non-permissible 
electronic total stations and theodolites shall have an ingress 
protection (IP) 66 or greater rating.
    (c) The operator shall maintain a logbook for electronic surveying 
equipment with the equipment, or in the location where mine record 
books are kept or in the location where the surveying record books are 
kept. The logbook shall contain the date of manufacture and/or purchase 
of each piece of electronic surveying equipment. The logbook shall be 
made available to MSHA upon request.
    (d) All non-permissible electronic surveying equipment located 
within 150 feet of pillar workings or longwall faces shall be examined 
by the person to operate the equipment prior to taking the equipment 
underground to ensure the equipment is being maintained in safe 
operating condition. These examinations shall include:
    (1) Checking the instrument for any physical damage and the 
integrity of the case;
    (2) Removing the battery and inspecting for corrosion;
    (3) Inspecting the contact points to ensure a secure connection to 
the battery;
    (4) Reinserting the battery and powering up and shutting down to 
ensure proper connections; and
    (5) Checking the battery compartment cover or battery attachment to 
ensure that is securely fastened.
    The results of this examination shall be recorded in the logbook.
    (e) The equipment shall be examined at least weekly by a qualified 
person as defined in 30 CFR 75.153. The examination results shall be 
recorded

[[Page 68650]]

weekly in the equipment's logbook. These records shall be retained for 
1 year.
    (f) The operator shall ensure that all non-permissible electronic 
surveying equipment is serviced according to the manufacturer's 
recommendations. Dates of service shall be recorded in the equipment's 
logbook and shall include a description of the work performed.
    (g) The non-permissible electronic surveying equipment located 
within 150 feet of pillar workings or longwall faces, shall not be put 
into service until MSHA has initially inspected the equipment and 
determined that it is in compliance with all the terms and conditions 
of the Proposed Decision and Order (PDO) granted by MSHA.
    (h) Non-permissible electronic surveying equipment shall not be 
used if methane is detected in concentrations at or above 1.0 percent. 
When 1.0 percent or more of methane is detected while the non-
permissible electronic surveying equipment is being used, the equipment 
shall be de-energized immediately and withdrawn outby the last open 
crosscut or out of the return. All requirements of 30 CFR 75.323 shall 
be complied with prior to entering within 150 feet of pillar workings 
or longwall faces.
    (i) Before setting up and energizing nonpermissible electronic 
surveying equipment located within 150 feet of pillar workings or 
longwall faces, the surveyor(s) shall conduct a visual examination of 
the immediate area for evidence that the area appears to be 
sufficiently rock-dusted and for the presence of accumulated float coal 
dust. If the rock-dusting appears insufficient or the presence of 
accumulated float coal dust is observed, the nonpermissible electronic 
surveying equipment shall not be energized until sufficient rock dust 
has been applied and/or the accumulations of float coal dust have been 
removed. If nonpermissible electronic surveying equipment is to be used 
in an area that has not been rock-dusted within 40 feet of a working 
face where a continuous mining machine is used to extract coal, the 
area shall be rock-dusted prior to energizing the non-permissible 
electronic surveying equipment.
    (j) All hand-held methane detectors shall be MSHA-approved and 
maintained in permissible and proper operating condition as defined by 
30 CFR 75.320. All methane detectors shall provide visual and audible 
warnings when methane is detected at or above 1.0 percent.
    (k) Prior to energizing any of the non-permissible electronic 
surveying equipment located within 150 feet of pillar workings or 
longwall faces, methane tests shall be made in accordance with 30 CFR 
75.323(a).
    (l) All areas to be surveyed must be pre-shifted according to 30 
CFR 75.360 prior to surveying. If the area was not pre-shifted, a 
supplemental examination according to 30 CFR 75.361 shall be performed 
before any non-certified person enters the area. If the area has been 
examined according to 30 CFR 75.360 or 30 CFR 75.361, additional 
examination is not required.
    (m) A qualified person as defined in 30 CFR 75.151 shall 
continuously monitor for methane immediately before and during the use 
of non-permissible electronic surveying equipment located within 150 
feet of pillar workings or longwall faces. A second person in the 
surveying crew, if there are two people in the crew, shall also 
continuously monitor for methane. That person shall be a qualified 
person as defined in 30 CFR 75.151 or be in the process of being 
trained to be a qualified person but have yet to ``make such tests for 
a period of 6 months'' as required by 30 CFR 75.150. Upon completion of 
the 6-month training period, the second person on the surveying crew 
shall become qualified to continue on the surveying crew. If the 
surveying crew consists of only one person, the person shall monitor 
for methane with two separate devices.
    (n) Batteries contained in the non-permissible electronic surveying 
equipment shall be changed out or charged more than 150 feet of pillar 
workings or longwall faces. Replacement batteries for the non-
permissible electronic surveying equipment shall be carried only in the 
electronic equipment carrying case spare battery compartment. Before 
each surveying shift, all batteries for the non-permissible electronic 
surveying equipment shall be charged sufficiently so that they are not 
expected to be replaced on that shift.
    (o) When using non-permissible electronic surveying equipment 
located within 150 feet of pillar workings or longwall faces, the 
surveyor shall confirm by measurement or by inquiry of the person in 
charge of the section that the air quantity on the section, on that 
shift, in the last open crosscut is at least the minimum quantity 
required by the mine's ventilation plan.
    (p) Personnel engaged in the use of non-permissible electronic 
surveying equipment shall be properly trained to recognize the hazards 
and limitations associated with the use of non-permissible electronic 
surveying equipment in areas where methane could be present.
    (q) All members of the surveying crew shall receive specific 
training on the terms and conditions of the PDO granted by MSHA before 
using non-permissible electronic surveying equipment located within 150 
feet of pillar workings or longwall faces. A record of the training 
shall be kept with the other training records.
    (r) Within 60 days after the PDO granted by MSHA becomes final, the 
operator shall submit proposed revisions for its approved 30 CFR part 
48 training plans to the Coal Mine Safety and Health District Manager. 
These proposed revisions shall specify initial and refresher training 
regarding the terms and conditions of the PDO. When training is 
conducted on the terms and conditions of the PDO, a MSHA Certificate of 
Training (Form 5000-23) shall be completed and shall include comments 
indicating it was surveyor training.
    (s) The operator shall replace or retire from service any non-
permissible electronic surveying instrument acquired prior to December 
31, 2004, within 1 year of the PDO granted by MSHA becoming final. 
Within 3 years of the date the PDO becomes final, the operator shall 
replace or retire from service any theodolite acquired more than 5 
years prior to the date the granted PDO became final and any total 
station or other electronic surveying equipment identified in the PDO 
acquired more than10 years prior to the date the PDO became final. 
After 5 years, the operator shall maintain a cycle of purchasing new 
electronic surveying equipment so that theodolites shall be no older 
than 5 years from the date of manufacture and total stations and other 
electronic surveying equipment shall be no older than 10 years from the 
date of manufacture.
    (t) The operator is responsible for ensuring that all surveying 
contractors hired by the operator use non-permissible electronic 
surveying equipment in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 
(s) of the PDO granted by MSHA. The conditions of use specified in the 
PDO shall apply to all non-permissible electronic surveying equipment 
located within 150 feet of pillar workings or longwall faces, 
regardless of whether the equipment is used by the operator or by an 
independent contractor.
    (u) Non-permissible electronic surveying equipment may be used when 
production is occurring, subject to these conditions:
    (1) On a mechanized mining unit (MMU) where production is 
occurring, non-permissible electronic surveying equipment shall not be 
used downwind

[[Page 68651]]

of the discharge point of any face ventilation controls, such as tubing 
(including controls such as ``baloney skins'') or curtains.
    (2) Production may continue while non-permissible electronic 
surveying equipment is used if the surveying equipment is used in a 
separate split of air from where production is occurring.
    (3) Non-permissible electronic surveying equipment shall not be 
used in a split of air ventilating an MMU if any ventilation controls 
will be disrupted during such surveying. Disruption of ventilation 
controls means any change to the mine's ventilation system that causes 
the ventilation system not to function in accordance with the mine's 
approved ventilation plan.
    (4) If a surveyor must disrupt ventilation while surveying, the 
surveyor shall cease surveying and communicate to the section foreman 
that ventilation must be disrupted. Production shall stop while 
ventilation is disrupted. Ventilation controls shall be reestablished 
immediately after the disruption is no longer necessary. Production 
shall only resume after all ventilation controls are reestablished and 
are in compliance with approved ventilation or other plans and other 
applicable laws, standards, or regulations.
    (5) Any disruption in ventilation shall be recorded in the logbook 
required by the PDO. The logbook shall include a description of the 
nature of the disruption, the location of the disruption, the date and 
time of the disruption, the date and time the surveyor communicated the 
disruption to the section foreman, the date and time production ceased, 
the date and time ventilation was reestablished, and the date and time 
production resumed.
    (6) All surveyors, section foremen, section crew members, and other 
personnel who will be involved with or affected by surveying operations 
shall receive training in accordance with 30 CFR 48.7 on the 
requirements of the PDO granted by MSHA within 60 days of the date the 
PDO becomes final. Such training shall be completed before any non-
permissible electronic surveying equipment can be used while production 
is occurring. The operator shall keep a record of such training and 
provide it to MSHA upon request.
    (7) The operator shall provide annual retraining to all personnel 
who will be involved with or affected by surveying operations in 
accordance with 30 CFR 48.8. The operator shall train new miners on the 
requirements of the PDO granted by MSHA in accordance with 30 CFR 48.5 
and shall train experienced miners, as defined in 30 CFR 48.6, on the 
requirements of the PDO in accordance with 30 CFR 48.6. The operator 
shall keep a record of such training and provide it to MSHA upon 
request.
    (v) The operator shall post this petition in unobstructed locations 
on the bulletin boards and/or in other conspicuous places where notices 
to miners are ordinarily posted, at all the mines for which this 
Petition applies, for a period of not less than 60 consecutive days.
    (w) The miners at Fossil Rock Mine are not represented by a labor 
organization and this petition is posted at the mine.
    The petitioner asserts that the alternate method proposed will at 
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection 
afforded the miners under the mandatory standard.

Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2024-19169 Filed 8-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P