[Federal Register: May 18, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 97)]
[Notices]
[Page 31609-31611]
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. Freeman United Coal Mining Company
[Docket No. M-2000-037-C]
Freeman United Coal Mining Company, 1999 Wabash Avenue, Suite 200B,
Springfield, Illinois 62704-5364 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) to its Crown II Mine (I.D. No. 11-
02236) located in Macoupin County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to permit a diesel-powered road grader to
be operated without front wheel brakes. The petitioner proposes to
operate its diesel grader at a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour,
lower the grader blade (mold board) to increase stopping capability in
emergencies, and provide training for the grader operators on how to
recognize appropriate levels of speed for different road and slope conditions. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
2. Neumeister Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2000-038-C]
Neumeister Coal Company, 28 Frank Lane, Ashland, Pennsylvania 17921
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 49.2(b)
(availability of mine rescue teams) to its #2 Slope Mine (I.D. No. 36-
07166) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner
requests a modification of the standard to permit the reduction of two
mine rescue teams with five members and one alternate each, to two mine
rescue teams with three members and one alternate for either team. The
petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would
result in a diminution of safety to the miners and members of the
rescue team, and that the proposed alternative method would provide at
least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
3. Tito Coal
[Docket No. M-2000-039-C]
Tito Coal, 118 Fairview Lane, Williamstown, Pennsylvania 17098 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 49.2(b)
(availability of mine rescue teams) to its Whites Vein Slope (I.D. No.
36-06815) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner
requests a modification of the standard to permit the reduction of two
mine rescue teams with five members and one alternate each, to two mine
rescue teams with three members and one alternate for either team. The
petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would
result in a diminution of safety to the miners and members of the
rescue team, and that the proposed alternative method would provide at
least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
4. Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C.
[Docket No. M-2000-040-C]
Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C., HC 35 Box 380, Helper, Utah 84526 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Skyline Mine No. 3 (I.D. No.
42-01566) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to permit the belt entry to be used as the
return entry during two-entry longwall panel development, and the
operator the option to use the belt haulage entry as an intake entry
for additional face ventilation during longwall panel retreat mining.
The petitioner asserts that this modification will provide maximum
protection for the miners during longwall panel development and retreat
mining under adverse ground conditions, multiple seam mining
conditions, and deep cover. Upon granting of this petition, the
petitioner requests that the terms and conditions contained in the
Decision and Order not apply in any panel during the period from
completion of development mining of the two-entry longwall panel until
the beginning of the longwall equipment set-up activities, and
conditioned on the conveyor belt in the two-entry panel not being
energized. The petitioner asserts that during this time, all other
existing standards will apply. The petitioner proposes to install a
low-level carbon monoxide or equivalent product of combustion detection
system in all longwall panel belt entries used as an intake or return
air course and in the primary intake entry. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as the existing standard and that application of the
existing standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
5. Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C.
[Docket No. M-2000-041-C]
Canyon Fuel Company, L.L.C. has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return air courses) to its Skyline Mine
No. 3 (I.D. No. 42-01566) located in Carbon County, Utah. The
petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit the belt
entry to be used as the return entry during two-entry longwall panel
development, and to allow the operator the option to use the belt
haulage entry as an intake entry for additional face ventilation during
longwall panel retreat mining. The petitioner asserts that this
modification will provide maximum protection for the miners during
longwall panel development and retreat mining under adverse ground
conditions, multiple seam mining conditions, and deep cover. Upon
granting of this petition, the petitioner requests that the terms and
conditions contained in the Decision and Order not apply in any panel
during the period from completion of development mining of the two-
entry longwall panel until the beginning of the longwall equipment set-
up activities, and conditioned on the conveyor belt in the two-entry
panel not being energized. The petitioner asserts that during this
time, all other existing standards will apply. The petitioner proposes
to install a low-level carbon monoxide or equivalent product of
combustion detection system in all longwall panel belt entries used as
an intake or return air course and in the primary intake entry. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard, and
that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution
of safety to the miners.
6. Marfork Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-042-C]
Marfork Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 457, Whitesville, West
Virginia 25209 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Brushy Eagle Mine
(I.D. No. 46-08315) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The
petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit the use of
an automatic fire detection system based on carbon monoxide monitoring
of the underground belt conveyor entries. The petitioner proposes to
install a low-level carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early
warning fire detection system in all belt entries used to course intake
air to a working place. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
7. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-043-C]
Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., P. O. Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia
25193 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002
(location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables
and transformers) to its Castle Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located in
Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use continuous
mining machines with nominal voltage of the power circuits not to
exceed 2,300 volts. The petitioner asserts that its alternative method
would not result in a diminution of safety to the miners, and would
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
8. Appalachian Eagle, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-044-C]
Appalachian Eagle, Inc., P.O. Box 751, Bradley, West Virginia
25818-0772 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Mine No. 1 (I.D.
No. 46-05437) located in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The petitioner
requests a modification of the standard to permit the use of a carbon monoxide monitoring system to
monitor belt air used in the face. The petitioner proposes to use a
carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection in
all belt entries used to course intake air to a working place. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
9. Roberts Bros. Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-045-C]
Roberts Bros. Coal Company, Inc., 660 B. John Hardy Road,
Madisonville, Kentucky 42431 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 Cardinal #2 Mine (I.D.
No. 15-17216) located in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to use a 200KW, 480-volt, diesel powered generator set with an
approved diesel drive engine to move equipment in and out of the mine
and to perform rehab work in areas outby section loading points. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 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 "zzMSHA-Comments@dol.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 June 19,
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.
Dated: May 8, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-12530 Filed 5-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P