[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26441-26442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13275]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
30 CFR Part 75
RIN 1219-AA11
Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Final rule; corrections.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document corrects errors in the final rule for safety
standards for underground coal mine ventilation which appeared in the
Federal Register on March 11, 1996 (61 FR 9764).
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 10, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, (703) 235-1910.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 11, 1996, MSHA published a final rule to revise its safety
standards for underground coal mine ventilation. This document corrects
several errors that appeared in the preamble discussion and in the
final rule.
In the preamble discussion to Sec. 75.313 Main mine fan stoppage
with persons underground, on page 9774, the second column, 25 lines
from the bottom, the phrase ``in nonventilated areas'' inadvertently
appears. This correction notice deletes the phrase from the preamble.
The final rule language of Sec. 75.322, Harmful quantities of
noxious gases, is incorrect. No changes were proposed to Sec. 75.322
and the current version of Sec. 75.322 that appears in the 1995
compilation of the Code of Federal Regulations is correct. Therefore,
Sec. 75.322 is corrected to be the version that appears in the 1995
compilation of the Code of Federal Regulations.
The final rule language of Sec. 75.325 Air quantity, inadvertently
omits the last sentence of existing Sec. 75.325(b). No changes were
proposed to Sec. 75.325(b) and the current version of Sec. 75.325(b)
that appears in the 1995 compilation of the Code of Federal Regulations
is correct. Therefore, Sec. 75.325(b) is corrected to be the version
that appears in the 1995 compilation of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
Paragraph (h) of Sec. 75.333(h) Ventilation controls, deals with
the maintenance of ventilation controls. In the preamble and the rule,
the word ``permanent'' inadvertently appears. This correction notice
deletes the word ``permanent'' from Sec. 75.333(h) and from the
preamble of the rule in the last sentence of the second column of page
9782. The preamble discussion in columns 1 and 2 of page 9784 makes it
clear that Sec. 75.333(h) is to apply to temporary controls as well as
permanent controls, and that the word ``permanent'' therefore appeared
in error. As correctly stated on page 9784, ``Given the importance of
temporary control devices in providing for adequate ventilation, the
final rule requires all ventilation controls, both permanent and
temporary, including all doors and seals, to be maintained to serve the
purpose for which they were built.''
The preamble for paragraph (g)(2) of Sec. 75.362 On-shift
examination, is inconsistent with the language appearing in the final
rule. This correction notice clarifies the intent of the Agency that a
certified person must certify that the examination has been completed.
At page 9799 of the preamble discussion, the preamble correctly states
that: ``The final rule deletes the word `certified,' permitting on-
shift examinations of dust controls to be conducted by one or more
persons who are not certified individuals. However, the examination
must still be conducted under the direction of a person designated by
the operator and as set out in paragraph (g)(2), a certified person
must certify that the examination has been completed * * *.'' The last
sentence at page 9801 in the preamble discussion of the rule is
inconsistent with this explanation and this correction document
corrects the sentence. Also, the word ``certified'' is added to the
rule.
In the last sentence of the final rule language of paragraph (a)(2)
of Sec. 75.362 On-shift examination, on page 9839, the second column,
the word additional
[[Page 26442]]
inadvertently appears. This correction notice deletes the word from the
rule.
The second sentence of the final rule language of paragraph (a) of
Sec. 75.363 Hazardous conditions; posting, correcting and recording,
inadvertently contains a phrase which limits the application of the
rule. The phrase would exclude the application of posting and
correcting requirements of Sec. 75.363 when a hazardous condition is
found during a preshift examination or during a preshift type
examination conducted following a fan stoppage and restart under
Sec. 75.313(d)(1)(i). As proposed, MSHA's intent is that the
Sec. 75.363 requirements for posting or immediately correcting
hazardous conditions do apply to the preshift examination and to
preshift-type examinations conducted following a fan stoppage and
restart under Sec. 75.313(d)(1)(i). It is only the recording
requirements of Sec. 75.363 that do not extend to the Sec. 75.360 and
Sec. 75.364 examinations since these examinations contain their own
recording requirements. This correction notice deletes the phrase that
inadvertently appears in the rule. Also, this correction notice makes a
conforming change to the preamble of the rule. On page 9802 of the
preamble to the final rule, the second sentence of the second paragraph
in the first column is corrected by this notice.
In the preamble to Sec. 75.380 Escapeways; bituminous and lignite
mines, on page 9813, the second column, 14 lines from the top, the date
``September 15, 1992'' is incorrect. The correct date is ``November 16,
1992,'' which was the effective date of the 1992 final ventilation
rule. This correction notice deletes the incorrect date and replaces it
with the correct date. In addition, a portion of the preamble
discussion for Sec. 75.380 is inadvertently repeated almost verbatim
and is deleted by this correction notice. Specifically, the repetition
of the preamble discussion of Sec. 75.380 begins with the third full
paragraph of the middle column on page 9816 (the paragraph begins,
Like the proposal, the final rule * * *'') and continues through the
end of the preamble discussion for Sec. 75.380.
Correction of Publication
The preamble and final rule for safety standards for underground
coal mine ventilation that appeared in the Federal Register on March
11, 1996 (61 FR 9764) are corrected as follows:
1. In the preamble, on page 9774, in the second column, 25 lines
from the bottom, the phrase ``in nonventilated areas'' is removed.
2. In the preamble, on page 9782, in the second column, last
paragraph, the last sentence is correctly revised to read as ``New
paragraph (h) requires all ventilation controls, including seals, to be
maintained to serve the purpose for which they were built''.
3. In the preamble, on page 9801, in the last column, last
paragraph, the last sentence is correctly revised to read as ``Under
(g)(2), the certified person directing the on-shift examination to
assure compliance with the respirable dust control parameters specified
in the mine ventilation plan must certify by initials, date, and time
that the examination was made.''
4. In the preamble, on page 9802, in the first column, the second
sentence of the second paragraph is correctly revised to read as, ``It
specifies that hazardous conditions shall be corrected immediately or
posted until the conditions are corrected.''
5. In the preamble, on page 9813, in the second column, 14 lines
from the top, remove ``September 15, 1992'', and add ``November 16,
1992''.
6. In the preamble, beginning on page 9816, in the second column,
the third full paragraph, through page 9820, to the end of the first
column is removed.
7. In the rule, on page 9832, in the first column, Sec. 75.322 is
correctly revised to read as:
Sec. 75.322 Harmful quantities of noxious gases.
Concentrations of noxious or poisonous gases, other than carbon
dioxide, shall not exceed the threshold limit values (TLV) as specified
and applied by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists in ``Threshold Limit Values for Substance in Workroom Air''
(1972). Detectors or laboratory analysis of mine air samples shall be
used to determine the concentrations of harmful, noxious, or poisonous
gases. This incorporation by reference has been approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51. Copies are available from the Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Department of Labor, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
VA 22203 and at every Coal Mine Health and Safety District and
Subdistrict Office. The material is available for examination at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 N. Capitol Street, NW., 7th Floor,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
Sec. 75.325 [Corrected]
8. In the rule, on page 9833, in the second column, Sec. 75.325(b),
a sentence is added following the last sentence of the first paragraph
to read as follows:
* * * * *
(b) * * * This minimum also applies to sections which are not
operating but are capable of producing coal by simply energizing the
equipment on the section.
* * * * *
Sec. 75.333 [Corrected]
9. In the rule, on page 9835, in the first column, Sec. 75.333,
paragraph (h), is correctly revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(h) All ventilation controls, including seals, shall be maintained
to serve the purpose for which they were built.
Sec. 75.362 [Corrected]
10. In the rule, on page 9839, in the second column, the last
sentence, Sec. 75.362, paragraph (a)(2), is correctly revised to read
as follows:
(a) * * *
(2) * * * Measurements of the air velocity and quantity, water
pressure and flow rates are not required if continuous monitoring of
these controls is used and indicates that the dust controls are
functioning properly.
* * * * *
11. In the rule, on page 9839, in the third column, Sec. 75.362,
paragraph (g)(2), is correctly revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(2) The certified person directing the on-shift examination to
assure compliance with the respirable dust control parameters specified
in the mine ventilation plan shall certify by initials, date, and time
that the examination was made.
* * * * *
Sec. 75.363 [Corrected]
12. In the rule on page 9839, in the third column, the second
sentence of Sec. 75.363, paragraph (a), is correctly revised to read as
follows:
(a) * * * A hazardous condition shall be corrected immediately or
the area shall remain posted until the hazardous condition is
corrected. * * *
* * * * *
Dated: May 17, 1996.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 96-13275 Filed 5-22-96; 3:08 pm]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
