[Federal Register: March 11, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 47)] [Notices] [Page 12183-12184] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr11mr99-77] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration Petitions for Modification The following parties have filed petitions to modify the application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. 1. Mountain Coal Company [Docket No. M-1999-001-C] Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, 5174 Highway 133, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701 (grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment) to its West Elk Mine (I.D. No. 05-03672) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use portable diesel generators to move and operate electric powered mobile equipment and pumps throughout the mine. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific requirements that would be followed as an alternative for existing and future generators. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 2. Mountain Coal Company [Docket No. M-1999-002-C] Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, 5174 Highway 133, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901 (protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used underground) to its West Elk Mine (I.D. No. 05-03672) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use portable diesel generators to move and operate electric powered mobile equipment and pumps throughout the mine. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific requirements that would be followed as an alternative for existing and future generators. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 3. Peabody Coal Company [Docket No. M-1999-003-C] Peabody Coal Company, 1951 Barrett Court, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly examination) to its Camp No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 15- 02709) located in Union County, Kentucky. Due to hazardous conditions near the return air course inby and outby the seals, traveling the area to conduct weekly examinations would create a diminution of safety to the miners. The petitioner proposes to establish evaluation points to monitor the affected area and have a certified person monitor the evaluation points on a weekly basis to determine the volume of air, and the methane and oxygen concentrations; and to record all examination results in a book maintained on the surface of the mine. The petitioner states that monitoring of these evaluation points would determine the atmosphere immediately prior to up-wind and immediately after down-wind the seals. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 4. Peabody Coal Company [Docket No. M-1999-004-C] Peabody Coal Company, 1951 Barrett Court, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its Camp No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 15- 02709) located in Union County, Kentucky. Due to hazardous conditions near the return air course inby and outby the seals, traveling the area to conduct weekly examinations would create a diminution of safety to the miners. The petitioner proposes to establish evaluation points to monitor the affected area and have a certified person monitor the evaluation points on a weekly basis to determine the volume of air, and the methane and oxygen concentrations; and to record all examination results in a book maintained on the surface of the mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 5. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC [Docket No. M-1999-005-C] Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, P.O. Box 1029, Wellington, Utah 84542 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water sprinkler systems; arrangement of sprinklers) to its Dugout Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01890) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use an alternative method of arranging its sprinkler system. The petitioner proposes a modification based on the following terms: (i) Each water sprinkler system would consist of a single overhead pipe water sprinkler system with automatic sprinklers located not more than 10 feet apart for the water discharged from the sprinklers to cover the 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet of non fire-resistant belt adjacent to the belt drive and one or more automatic sprinklers located 10 feet apart for water discharged from the sprinkler(s) to cover the drive motor(s), belt takeup, electrical controls, and gear reducing unit for each belt drive; (ii) Each water sprinkler would be in installed for the clearance between the center of the top belt and the roof to permit the single overhead pipe system to be installed in accordance with adequate height, and where the clearance between the center of the top belt and the roof does not permit the installation of the single overhead pipe system directly over the belt, the single overhead pipe system would be installed in accordance with restricted height; (iii) The residual pressure in each sprinkler system would not be less than 10 psi with any three sprinklers open, and an adequate supply of water to provide a constant flow for at least 10 minutes with all sprinklers functioning; (iv) Each water sprinkler system would be equipped with a flush-out connection and a manual shut-off valve; and (v) [[Page 12184]] Each automatic sprinkler would be a standard \1/2\-inch orifice pendant-type with fusible link actuation temperature for each sprinkler between 200 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit. The petitioner proposes to conduct a functional test annually for each water sprinkler system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. Request for Comments Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit comments via e-mail to ``comments@msha.gov'', or on a computer disk along with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be postmarked or received in that office on or before April 12, 1999. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address. Dated: March 5, 1999. Carol J. Jones, Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances. [FR Doc. 99-6038 Filed 3-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-43-P