[Federal Register: June 29, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 40140-40143]
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. Plateau Mining Company
[Docket No. M-2000-046-C]
Plateau Mining Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor,
[[Page 40141]]
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its Star
Point No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 42-00171) located in Carbon County, Utah.
Due to deteriorating roof and rib conditions in a portion of the Star
Point No. 2 Mine, the petitioner proposes to establish check points to
examine the affected area instead of traveling the area in its
entirety, and to evaluate the evaluation points on a weekly basis. 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.
2. Bowie Resources, Ltd.
[Docket No. M-2000-047-C]
Bowie Resources, Ltd., P.O. Box 1488, 1720 4010 Drive, Paonia,
Colorado 81428 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 Bowie Mine (I.D. No. 05-04591) located in
Delta County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use a 460 KW, 480
volt, wye connected diesel powered generator for utility power and to
move electrically powered mining equipment throughout the mine. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
3. Bowie Resources, Ltd.
[Docket No. M-2000-048-C]
Bowie Resources, Ltd., P.O. Box 1488, 1720 4010 Drive, Paonia,
Colorado 81428 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.901(a) (protection of low-and medium-voltage three-phase circuits
used underground) to its Bowie Mine (I.D. No. 05-04591) located in
Delta County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use a 460 KW, 480
volt, wye connected diesel powered generator to move and operate
electrically powered mobile equipment and stationary equipment
throughout the mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
4. Bowie Resources, Ltd.
[Docket No. M-2000-049-C]
Bowie Resources, Ltd., P.O. Box 1488, 1720 4010 Drive, Paonia,
Colorado 81428 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.500(d) (permissible electric equipment) to its Bowie Mine (I.D. No.
05-04591) located in Delta County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to
use the following nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered
electronic testing and diagnostic equipment inby the last open
crosscut: lap top computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis
machines, cable fault detectors, point temperature probes, infrared
temperature devices, resistance measurement devices, recorders,
pressure and flow measurement devices, current measurement devices,
signal analyzer devices, thickness gauges, power analyzers, component
testers, electronic tachometers, and volt ohm meters. The petitioner
has listed in this petition for modification specific procedures that
would be followed when using this equipment. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as the existing standard.
5. Bowie Resources, Ltd.
[Docket No. M-2000-050-C]
Bowie Resources, Ltd., P.O. Box 1488, 1720 4010 Drive, Paonia,
Colorado 81428 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.1002-1(a) (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-
voltage cables and transformers) to its Bowie Mine (I.D. No. 05-04591)
located in Delta County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use the
following nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered electronic
testing and diagnostic equipment inby the last open crosscut: lap top
computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault
detectors, point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices,
resistance measurement devices, recorders, pressure and flow
measurement devices, current measurement devices, signal analyzer
devices, thickness gauges, power analyzers, component testers,
electronic tachometers, and volt ohm meters. The petitioner has listed
in this petition for modification specific procedures that would be
followed when using this equipment. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
6. Alex Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-051-C]
Alex Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 857, Summersville, West Virginia 26651
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 Jerry Fork Eagle Mine (I.D. No. 46-08787)
located in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to
use high-voltage longwall mining equipment, with the nominal voltage of
the longwall power circuits not to exceed 4,160 volts. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as the existing standard.
7. Perry County Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-2000-052-C]
Perry County Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 5001, Hazard, Kentucky
41702 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.1911(d) (fire suppression systems for diesel-powered equipment and
fuel transportation units) to its Eas #1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-02085)
located in Perry County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use
either manual fire suppression actuators or the automatic fire
suppression system, without the automatic engine shut-down portion, on
the 35 ton locomotives and the 12 ton locomotives which haul coal and
empty mine cars for all rail haulage. The petitioner asserts that if
the diesel locomotive engines were to shut down, the brakes would lock
up, causing the coal cars to create a train reaction and derail the
locomotive causing injury to the locomotive operator. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as the existing standard.
8. Rustler Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2000-053-C]
Rustler Coal Company, 66 South Tremont Street, Zerbe, Pennsylvania
17981 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 49.2(b)
(availability of mine rescue teams) to its Orchard Slope Mine (I.D. No.
36-08346) 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 of three members with 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.
9. Wayne Processing, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-054-C]
Wayne Processing, Inc., 22 Hampton Road, Buckhannon, West Virginia
26201
[[Page 40142]]
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Spruce Fork Mine No. 1 (I.D.
No. 46-08622) located in Upshur County, West Virginia. The petitioner
requests a modification of the standard to allow air coursed through
belt haulage entries to be used to ventilate active working places. The
petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection
system in all belt entries at certain locations as an early warning
fire detection system. The petitioner also proposes to adhere to other
conditions. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
10. RAG Cumberland Resources LP
[Docket No. M-2000-055-C]
RAG Cumberland Resources LP, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street,
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 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
Cumberland Mine (I.D. No. 36-05018) located in Greene County,
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests that the Proposed Decision and
Order (PDO) for its previously granted petition, docket number M-92-99-
C, be amended. The petitioner requests that Item #29 of the PDO be
amended to allow the widths and lengths of its panels to be increased,
and that Item #31 of the PDO be amended to read as follows: A primary
escapeway maintained in accordance with 30 CFR 75.380 shall be provided
on the headgate end of all longwall panels. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as the existing standard.
11. Dominion Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-2000-056-C]
Dominion Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 70, Vansant, Virginia 24656 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.214(a) (refuse
piles; general) to its Dominion Mine No. 22 (I.D. No. 44-06645) located
in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner requests a modification of
the existing standard to allow abandoned mine openings to be covered
with coarse refuse material for the Dominion Mine No. 22, MSHA Site ID
#1211-VA5-0335-01. The petitioner proposes to construct a refuse bench
fill in abandoned mine openings using the specific plans and procedures
outlined in this petition for modification. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as the existing standard.
12. Basic Mining Corp.
[Docket No. M-2000-084-C]
Basic Mining Corp., P.O. Box 1197, Vansant, Virginia 24656 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1(a)
(canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face
equipment; installation requirements) to its Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 44-
05032) located in Dickenson County, Virginia. The petitioner requests a
modification of the existing standard to permit its Joy 21 SC Shuttle
Cars, Joy 14CM Miners, and Long Airdox LRB15A Roof Drills to be
operated without canopies. The petitioner asserts that application of
the existing standard would result in a diminution of safety of the
miners and that the proposed alternative method would provide at least
the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
13. FMC Corporation
[Docket No. M-2000-003-M]
FMC Corporation, P.O. Box 872, Green River, Wyoming 82935 has filed
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.22305 (approved
Equipment (III mines)) to its Westvaco Mine (I.D. No. 48-00152) located
in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The petitioner proposes to use a
cordless drill or other equivalent drills to install surveying spads in
the mine roof to minimize the potential of developing cumulative trauma
disorders in the wrists, elbows, and shoulders of the surveyors. The
petitioner states that methane will be tested before using the drills
and if one percent or more of methane is found, drilling will not begin
and that drilling will cease if one percent or more of methane is found
during drilling. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
existing standard.
14. Greer Industries, Inc., d/b/a Deckers Creek Limestone Company
and Green Limestone Company
[Docket No. M-2000-004-M]
Greer Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 1900, Morgantown, West Virginia
26507-1900 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
part 48 (training and retraining of miners working at surface mines and
surface areas of underground mines) to the Deckers Creek Limestone
Company, Deckers Creek Mine (I.D. No. 46-00029) and the Greer Limestone
Company, Greer Mine and Mill (I.D. No. 46-00016) both located in
Monongalia County, West Virginia. The petitioner requests a
modification of the existing standard to allow over-the-road contracted
delivery trucks used to ship limestone material to go to an underground
stockpile area to be loaded for a limited time and purpose. The
petitioner states that the truck drivers would not be allowed out of
their trucks at any time while receiving their load, the Greer
Industries alternative safety plan would provide adequate protection to
ensure the safety of all contracted delivery trucks drivers, and that
all delivery truck drivers would receive site specific hazard training.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
15. Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc. [Docket No. M-2000-005-M]
Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc., P.O. Box 460, Kearny, Arizona
85237 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.9360
(shelter holes) to the Asarco Mineral Creek Water Diversion Tunnel at
the Asarco Ray Complex (I.D. No. 02-00150), P.O. Box 8, Hayden, Arizona
85236, located in Pinal County, Arizona. The petitioner proposes to
construct a tunnel 18 feet, 10 inches in diameter using a CTS Tunnel
Boring Machine, Model 490-013, with ground support provided by the
installation of segmented 6-inch ring steel flush to the excavated
circumference. The petitioner states that the tunnel boring process, a
24-inch elevated conveyor will run from the Tunnel Boring Machine
trailing gear to the portal and mounted to the rib and narrow gauge,
36-inch rails will run down the center of the tunnel, pedestrian
traffic within the tunnel will be limited to necessary personnel for
periodic inspections and/or maintenance; Asarco's production area will
not be a part of the tunnel; and all miners at Frontier-Kemper
Constructors, Inc. will be transported to the face by rail-mounted
conveyance. The petitioner asserts the proposed alternative method
would allow for the use of Safety Platforms instead of shelter-holes
and 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,
[[Page 40143]]
Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be postmarked or received
in that office on or before July 31, 2000. Copies of these petitions
are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: June 19, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-16486 Filed 6-28-00; 8:45 am]
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