[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57661-57664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27855]
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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. Clark Elkhorn Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-084-c]
Clark Elkhorn Coal Company, P.O. Box 2805, Pikeville, Kentucky
41502 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Ratliff
Underground Mine (I.D. No. 15-16763) located in Pike County, Kentucky.
The petitioner proposes to use a spring loaded locking device to secure
battery plugs into the machine mounted battery receptacle on mobile
battery powered equipment instead of using padlocks. The petitioner
asserts that application of the mandatory standard will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
2. Matrix Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-085-C]
Matrix Coal Company, P.O. Box 2805, Pikeville, Kentucky 41502 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Mohawk
Underground Mine (I.D. No. 15-18085) located in Pike County, Kentucky.
The petitioner proposes to use a spring loaded locking device to secure
battery plugs into the machine mounted battery receptacle on mobile
battery powered equipment instead of using padlocks. The petitioner
asserts that application of the mandatory standard will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
3. Remington Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-086-C]
Remington Coal Company, 430 Harper Park Drive, Suite A, Beckley,
West Virginia 25801 has filed a petition to modify the application of
30 CFR 75.503 (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its
Stockburg No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08634) located in Kanawha County,
West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a spring loaded locking
device to secure battery plugs into machine mounted receptacle on
mobile battery powered equipment instead of using padlocks. The
petitioner asserts that application of the mandatory standard will
result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
4. Goodin Creek Contracting, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-087-C]
Goodin Creek Contracting, Inc., Rt. 1, Box 419-A1, Gray, Kentucky
40734 has
[[Page 57662]]
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4)
(escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Goodin Creek Mine
(I.D. No. 15-17980) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to install two ten pound portable chemical fire extinguishers
in the operators' deck of each Mescher tractor. The fire extinguisher
will be readily accessible to the operator. The petitioner proposes to
instruct the equipment operator to inspect each fire extinguisher daily
prior to entering the escapeway, maintain records of the inspections,
and maintain a sufficient number of spare fire extinguishers at the
mine in case a fire extinguisher becomes defective. The petitioner
asserts that because of the low 24-inch heights of the coal being
mined, available fire suppression systems will not fit on the equipment
being used. The petitioner further asserts that application of the
mandatory standard will result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method will provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard.
5. Canfield Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-088-C]
Canfield Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1021, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.380(f)(4)(i) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its # 5
Mine (I.D. No. 15-18176) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to install two ten pound portable chemical fire
extinguishers in the operators' deck of each Mescher tractor. The fire
extinguisher will be readily accessible to the operator. The petitioner
proposes to instruct the equipment operator to inspect each fire
extinguisher daily prior to entering the escapeway, maintain records of
the inspections, and maintain a sufficient number of spare fire
extinguishers at the mine in case a fire extinguisher becomes
defective. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
will provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory
standard.
6. Canfield Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-089-C]
Canfield Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1021, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342
(methane monitors) to its #5 Mine (I.D. No. 15-18176) located in Knox
County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a hand-held
continuous-duty methane and oxygen detector instead of machine-mounted
methane monitors on three-wheel tractors. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure
of protection as the mandatory standard.
7. Canterbury Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-090-C]
Canterbury Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 119A, Avonmore, Pennsylvania
15618 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its DiAnne Mine (I.D. No. 36-
05708) located in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner
proposes to use belt air to ventilate a working section(s). The
petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as a
fire detection system in all belt entries where air coursed through the
belt entry is used to ventilate active working places. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
8. Mallie Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-091-C]
Mallie Coal Company, Rt. 1, Box 173, Woodbine, Kentucky 40771 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342 (methane
monitors) to its Mine No. 4 (I.D. No. 15-17603) located in Knox County,
Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a hand-held continuous-duty
methane and oxygen detector instead of machine-mounted methane monitors
on three-wheel tractors. The petitioner asserts that application of the
existing standard will diminish the safety of the miners and the
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
9. Marfork Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-092-C]
Marfork Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 457, Whitesville, West
Virginia 25209 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage
cables and transformers) to its Brushy Eagle Mine (I.D. No. 46-08315)
located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to
use 4,160 volt longwall face equipment utilizing the specific terms and
conditions listed in this petition for modification. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
10. RAG Empire Corporation
[Docket No. M-1999-093-C]
RAG Empire Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.507 (power connection points) to
its Eagle No. 5 Mine (I.D. No. 05-01370) located in Moffat County,
Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory
standard to permit the use of a 480-volt non-permissible pump in
boreholes in sealed areas of the Eagle No. 5 Mine. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
11. RAG Empire Corporation
[Docket No. M-1999-094-C]
RAG Empire Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.902 (low- and medium-voltage ground
check monitor circuits) to its Eagle No. 5 Mine (I.D. No. 05-01370)
located in Moffat County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a
modification of the mandatory standard to permit the use of 480-volt
non-permissible submersible pumps in boreholes into sealed areas at the
1 North areas of the Eagle No. 5 Mine. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
12. Wabash Mine Holding Company
[Docket No. M-1999-095-C]
Wabash Mine Holding Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street,
20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.332(a)(2) (working sections and
working places) to its Wabash Mine (I.D. No. 11-00877) located in
Wabash County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of the
mandatory standard to permit the use of two continuous miners within
the same split air. The petitioner proposes to have one continuous
miner cleanup the working face previously mined, while the other
continuous miner on the super section starts to cut and load coal from
another working face on the same working section, on the same split of
air. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory
standard.
[[Page 57663]]
13. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC
[Docket No. M-1999-096-C]
Company Fuel Company, LLC, P.O. Box 1029, Wellington, Utah 84542
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002
(location of trolley) to its Dugout Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01890)
located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use a
nominal voltage of longwall power circuits not to exceed 2,400 volts to
supply power to permissible longwall mining equipment. The petitioner
states that application of the mandatory standard will prevent a
diminution of safety to the miners resulting from the application of
the existing standard. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
14. Drummond Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-097-C]
Drummond Company, Inc., P.O. Box 10246, Birmingham, Alabama 35202-
0246 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and
performance requirements) to its Shoal Creek Mine (I.D. No. 01-02901)
located in Jefferson County, Alabama. The petitioner requests a
variance from the mandatory standard to permit the use of its diesel
grader without individual service brakes on all grader wheels. The
petitioner proposes to (i) equip the grader with service brakes on each
drive wheel and stationary emergency brakes; (ii) limit the tramming
speed of the grader to 10 miles per hour; and (iii) train grader
operators to check the function of the brakes during pre-operational
checks and if required, train the operators to lower the grader blade
to the ground as an additional braking mechanism and while the machine
is parked. The petitioner states that all grader operators will be
trained during refresher training and on all provisions of its proposed
alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will provide at least the same measure of protection
as the mandatory standard.
15. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC
[Docket No. M-1999-098-C]
Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, HC 35 Box 380, Helper, Utah 84526 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500
(permissible electric equipment) to its Skyline Mine No. 3 (I.D. No.
42-01566) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a
modification of the mandatory standard to permit the use of a
nonpermissible hand-held battery powered drill in areas inby the last
open crosscut. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method will provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard.
16. J & A Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-1999-099-C]
J & A Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 848, Prestonburg, Kentucky 41653
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its No. 1 Mine
(I.D. No. 15-15776) located in Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to use a spring loaded locking device to secure battery plugs
into machine mounted receptacle on mobile battery powered equipment
instead of using padlocks. The petitioner states that application of
the mandatory standard will result in a diminution of safety to the
miners affected.
17. Bowie Resources Limited
[Docket No. M-1999-100-C]
Bowie Resources Limited, P.O. Box 483, Paonia, Colorado 81428 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6)
(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance
requirements) to its Bowie No. 2 Mine (I.D. No.05-04591) located in
Delta County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to install brakes on
the front wheels of six wheeled road graders in its Bowie No. 2 Mine.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory
standard.
18. RAG Emerald Resources Corporation
[Docket No. M-1999-101-C]
RAG Emerald Resources Corporation, 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 Emerald Mine (I.D. No. 36-05466) located in Greene
County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests that certain provisions
be eliminated from its previously granted high-voltage longwall
petition, docket number M-95-37-C. The petitioner proposes to use 4,160
high-voltage longwall equipment. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
19. Nehemiah Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-102-C]
Nehemiah Coal Company, Inc., 644 Callahan Avenue, P.O. Box 466,
Appalachia, Virginia 24216 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1710 (canopies or cabs; diesel-powered and
electric face equipment) to its Mine #1 (I.D. No. 44-06871) located in
Wise County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes to operate face
equipment without canopies. The petitioner asserts that using canopies
in the low mining height present at the mine will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners affected by the existing standard.
20. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-103-C]
CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc., Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 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 Mousie H4 Mine (I.D. No.
15-18166) located in Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to
obtain a low- and medium voltage, three-phase, alternating current for
use underground from a portable diesel-driven generator and to connect
the neutral of the generator's transformer secondary through a suitable
resistor to the frame of the diesel generator. The petitioner states
that the frame of the diesel generator will not have solid connection
to a borehole casing, a metal waterline, or a grounding conductor with
a low resistance to earth. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will provide at least the same measure of protection
as the mandatory standard.
21. Wayne Processing, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-104-C]
Wayne Processing, Inc., Rt. 3, Box 144, Philippi, West Virginia
26416 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.380(d)(3) (Escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Sentinel
Mine (I.D. No. 46-014168) located in Barbour County, West Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to use a mechnical device to travel across the #2
Miner Section belt undercast, where the escapeway height is less that
that required by the standard. The undercast is used as a secondary
escapeway. The petitioner proposes to post signs on both sides of the
undercast indicating low clearance area. The petitioner states that the
mechanical device will enable miners including disabled miners to
escape quickly in an emergency, and allow a
[[Page 57664]]
worker to sit down or be provided with a stretcher and pulled across
the undercast to either the inby or outby ends. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
22. Alex Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-105-C]
Alex Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 857, Summersville, West Virginia 26651
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil
and gas wells) to its Jerry Fork Eagle Mine (I.D. No. 46-08787) located
in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to plug and
mine through oil and gas wells and to notify the District Manager or
designee prior to mining within 300 feet of the well. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the
same measure of protection as 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 November 26,
1999. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.
Dated: October 18, 1999.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 99-27855 Filed 10-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
