96-14109. Safety Standards for Underground Coal Mine Ventilation  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 29287-29289]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-14109]
    
    
    
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    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.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document corrects errors in the final rule 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: On March 11, 1996, MSHA published a final 
    rule to revise its safety standards for underground coal mine 
    ventilation. This document corrects errors that appeared in the final 
    rule.
        Sections 75.325, 75.326, and 75.330 each refer to provisions in the 
    final rule that limit exposure to methane, respirable dust, or other 
    harmful gases. In each case it was not the Agency's intent to modify 
    the limits set in these standards. No changes were proposed and the 
    current versions that appear in the 1995 compilation of the Code of 
    Federal Regulations are correct. Therefore, to address questions raised 
    and to clarify the intent of the Agency, the language in these 
    standards is being corrected to re-state the language of the existing 
    standards.
        Sections 75.301, 75.333(d) (1), (e)(3), and (f), and 
    75.335(a)(1)(iv) and (a)(2) are being corrected to include information 
    concerning the availability of the incorporated documents, where the 
    incorporated documents may be inspected, and the Federal Register 
    approval for incorporation by reference of the documents. No changes 
    were proposed and the current versions that appear in the 1995 
    compilation of the Code of Federal Regulations are correct. The final 
    rule language for Sec. 75.333 Ventilation controls, inadvertently
    
    [[Page 29288]]
    
    omits the information concerning the availability of the document 
    incorporated by reference in (e)(1)(i). This document adds that 
    language.
    
    Correction of Publication
    
        The final rule for safety standards for underground coal mine 
    ventilation that appeared in the Federal Register on March 11, 1996 (61 
    FR 9764) is corrected as follows:
        1. On page 9829, in the second column, in Sec. 75.301, in the 
    definition of noncombustible structure or area, three sentences are 
    added following the last sentence to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 75.301   Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        Noncombustible Structure or Area. * * * The publication ASTM E119-
    88, ``Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and 
    Materials'' is incorporated by reference and may be inspected at any 
    Coal Mine Health and Safety District and Subdistrict Office, or at 
    MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, and 
    at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    Suite 700, Washington, DC. In addition, copies of the document can be 
    purchased from the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), 1916 
    Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. This incorporation by 
    reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
    accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        2. On page 9829, in the second column, in Sec. 75.301, in the 
    definition of noncombustible material, three sentences are added 
    following the last sentence to read as follows:
    * * * * *
        Noncombustible Material. * * * The publication ASTM E119-88, 
    ``Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and 
    Materials'' is incorporated by reference and may be inspected at any 
    Coal Mine Health and Safety District and Subdistrict Office, or at 
    MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, and 
    at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    Suite 700, Washington, DC. In addition, copies of the document can be 
    purchased from the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), 1916 
    Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. This incorporation by 
    reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
    accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        3. On page 9833, in the second column, in Sec. 75.325, the first 
    sentence in paragraph (c)(2), is corrected to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 75.325   Air quantity.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (2) The velocity of air that will be provided to control methane 
    and respirable dust in accordance with applicable standards on each 
    longwall or shortwall and the locations where these velocities will be 
    provided shall be specified in the approved ventilation plan. * * *
    * * * * *
        4. On page 9833, in the second column, in Sec. 75.326, the second 
    sentence is corrected to read as follows:
    * * * * *
        * * * A lower mean entry air velocity may be approved in the 
    ventilation plan if the lower velocity will maintain methane and 
    respirable dust concentrations in accordance with the applicable 
    levels. * * *
    * * * * *
        5. On page 9833, in the third column, in Sec. 75.330, the second 
    sentence of paragraph (b)(2), is corrected to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 75.330  Face ventilation control devices.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (2) * * * Alternative distances specified shall be capable of 
    maintaining concentrations of respirable dust, methane, and other 
    harmful gases, in accordance with the levels specified in the 
    applicable sections of this chapter.
    * * * * *
        6. On page 9834, in the third column, in Sec. 75.333, paragraph 
    (d)(1) is corrected to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 75.333  Ventilation controls.
    
    * * * * *
        (d) * * *
        (1) Made of noncombustible material or coated on all accessible 
    surfaces with flame-retardant materials having a flame-spread index of 
    25 or less, as tested under ASTM E162-87, ``Standard Test Method for 
    Surface Flammability of Materials Using A Radiant Heat Energy Source.'' 
    This publication is incorporated by reference and may be inspected at 
    any Coal Mine Health and Safety District and Subdistrict Office, or at 
    MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, and 
    at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    Suite 700, Washington, DC. In addition, copies of the document can be 
    purchased from the American Society for Testing (ASTM), 1916 Race 
    Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. This incorporation by 
    reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
    accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        7. On page 9834, in the third column, in Sec. 75.333, paragraph 
    (e)(1)(i) is corrected to read as follows:
    * * * * *
        (e)(1)(i) Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(2), (e)(3) and 
    (e)(4) of this section all overcasts, undercasts, shaft partitions, 
    permanent stoppings, and regulators, installed after June 10, 1996, 
    shall be constructed in a traditionally accepted method and of 
    materials that have been demonstrated to perform adequately or in a 
    method and of materials that have been tested and shown to have a 
    minimum strength equal to or greater than the traditionally accepted 
    in-mine controls. Tests may be performed under ASTM E72-80, ``Standard 
    Methods of Conducting Strength Tests of Panels for Building 
    Construction'' (Section 12--Transverse Load--Specimen Vertical, load, 
    only), or the operator may conduct comparative in-mine tests. In-mine 
    tests shall be designed to demonstrate the comparative strength of the 
    proposed construction and a traditionally accepted in-mine control. The 
    publication ASTM E72-80, ``Standard Methods of Conducting Strength 
    Tests of Panels for Building Construction'' is incorporated by 
    reference and may be inspected at any Coal Mine Health and Safety 
    District and Subdistrict Office, or at MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 
    Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, and at the Office of the Federal 
    Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. In 
    addition, copies of the document can be purchased from the American 
    Society for Testing (ASTM), 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, 
    Pennsylvania 19103. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
    Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
    1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        8. On page 9835, in the first column, in Sec. 75.333, paragraph 
    (e)(3) is corrected to read as follows:
    * * * * *
        (e) * * *
        (3) When timbers are used to create permanent stoppings in heaving 
    or caving areas, the stoppings shall be coated on all accessible 
    surfaces with a flame-retardant material having a flame-spread index of 
    25 or less, as tested under ASTM E162-87, ``Standard Test Method for 
    Surface Flammability of Materials Using A Radiant Heat Energy
    
    [[Page 29289]]
    
    Source.'' This publication is incorporated by reference and may be 
    inspected at any Coal Mine Health and Safety District and Subdistrict 
    Office, or at MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, 
    Arlington, VA, and at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
    Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. In addition, copies of 
    the document can be purchased from the American Society for Testing 
    (ASTM), 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. This 
    incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal 
    Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        9. On page 9835, in the first column, in Sec. 75.333, paragraph (f) 
    is corrected to read as follows:
    * * * * *
        (f) When sealants are applied to ventilation controls, the sealant 
    shall have a flame-spread index of 25 or less under ASTM E162-87, 
    ``Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using A 
    Radiant Heat Energy Source.'' This publication is incorporated by 
    reference and may be inspected at any Coal Mine Health and Safety 
    District and Subdistrict Office, or at MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 
    Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, and at the Office of the Federal 
    Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. In 
    addition, copies of the document can be purchased from the American 
    Society for Testing (ASTM), 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, 
    Pennsylvania 19103. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
    Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
    1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        10. In the rule, on page 9835, in the third column, Sec. 75.335, 
    paragraph (a)(1)(iv) is corrected to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 75.335  Construction of seals.
    
        (a)(1) * * *
        (iv) Coated on all accessible surfaces with flame-retardant 
    material that will minimize leakage and that has a flame-spread index 
    of 25 or less, as tested under ASTM E162-87, ``Standard Test Method for 
    Surface Flammability of Materials Using A Radiant Heat Energy Source.'' 
    This publication is incorporated by reference and may be inspected at 
    any Coal Mine Health and Safety District and Subdistrict Office, or at 
    MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, and 
    at the Office of the 4Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
    Suite 700, Washington, DC. In addition, copies of the document can be 
    purchased from the American Society for Testing (ASTM), 1916 Race 
    Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. This incorporation by 
    reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
    accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        11. On page 9835, in the third column, in Sec. 75.335, paragraph 
    (a)(2) is corrected to read as follows:
        (a)(1) * * *
        (2) Alternative methods or materials may be used to create a seal 
    if they can withstand a static horizontal pressure of 20 pounds per 
    square inch provided the method of installation and the material used 
    are approved in the ventilation plan. If the alternative methods or 
    materials include the use of timbers, the timbers also shall be coated 
    on all accessible surfaces with flame-retardant material having a 
    flame-spread index of 25 or less, as tested under ASTM E162-87, 
    ``Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using A 
    Radiant Heat Energy Source.'' This publication is incorporated by 
    reference and may be inspected at any Coal Mine Health and Safety 
    District and Subdistrict Office, or at MSHA's Office of Standards, 4015 
    Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA, and at the Office of the Federal 
    Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. In 
    addition, copies of the document can be purchased from the American 
    Society for Testing (ASTM), 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, 
    Pennsylvania 19103. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
    Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
    1 CFR part 51.
    * * * * *
        Dated: May 28, 1996.
    J. Davitt McAteer,
    Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health.
    [FR Doc. 96-14109 Filed 6-7-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/10/1996
Published:
06/10/1996
Department:
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; corrections.
Document Number:
96-14109
Dates:
June 10, 1996.
Pages:
29287-29289 (3 pages)
RINs:
1219-AA11: Underground Coal Mine Ventilation
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1219-AA11/underground-coal-mine-ventilation
PDF File:
96-14109.pdf
CFR: (5)
1 CFR 75.335
30 CFR 75.301
30 CFR 75.325
30 CFR 75.330
30 CFR 75.333