[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55353-55354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26373]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
30 CFR Parts 14, 18, and 75
RIN 1219-AA92
Requirements for Approval of Flame-Resistant Conveyor Belts
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the record; request for public
comment.
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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is reopening
the rulemaking record to receive additional test data, technical
information, and further comment on proposed revisions to its
regulations for the approval of flame-resistant conveyor belts for use
in underground coal mines. After the close of the public record, some
commenters indicated to MSHA that they had obtained or would be
obtaining flame test data and technical
[[Page 55354]]
information which MSHA should review and evaluate. This new information
is relevant to MSHA's proposed rule and the Agency's technical
assessment of other flammability test data. Also, MSHA has placed the
Agency's response to questions from certain commenters in the
rulemaking record for public review.
DATES: Written material and comments must be submitted by December 15,
1995.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to MSHA; Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances; 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 631; Arlington,
VA 22203. Commenters are encouraged to submit comments on a computer
disk along with a hard copy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia W. Silvey, Director; Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances; 703-235-1910.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On December 24, 1992, MSHA published a proposed rule (57 FR 61524)
to implement new procedures and requirements for testing and approval
of flame-resistant conveyor belts and requirements for their use in
underground coal mines. The proposed revision would replace the
existing flame test for acceptance of flame-resistant belts specified
in Agency regulations. The comment period on the proposed rule closed
on March 26, 1993. Several commenters requested that the Agency hold a
public hearing on its proposal. The comment period on the proposed rule
was reopened until April 21, 1995, and on May 2, 1995, MSHA held a
public hearing in Washington, PA (60 FR 16589, March 31, 1995). The
post-hearing comment period closed on June 5, 1995.
II. Issues
Following the close of the post-hearing comment period, a
manufacturer indicated that additional flammability testing of conveyor
belts was scheduled using the Factory Mutual conveyor belt flammability
test (FM test) and invited MSHA to witness that testing. To avoid
participation in testing where all parties to the rulemaking were not
invited, and because the record was closed, MSHA neither witnessed
these tests nor received the results of this testing. Another
manufacturer also requested that MSHA accept additional flammability
test data generated from the FM test that were not available during the
comment period.
Also, in the comments submitted during the post hearing comment
period, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and the Bituminous
Coal Operators' Association (BCOA) jointly submitted 10 questions to
MSHA. MSHA's response is being placed in the rulemaking record and is
available to the public from MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations,
and Variances.
MSHA is reopening the record for 45 days to provide all interested
parties an opportunity to review the record and to submit additional
data, test results, and technical information. MSHA encourages all
interested parties to submit comments prior to the close of the record.
Dated: October 18, 1995.
J. Davitt McAteer,
Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 95-26373 Filed 10-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
