[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39428-39430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18947]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification
This notice amends an affirmative decision issued by the
Administrator of Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health on a
petition for modification of the application of a mandatory safety
standard to correct the word ``shop'' in a document published in the
Federal Register on June 20, 1995 (60 FR 32180) to read ``shot''.
Docket No.: M-94-38-M
FR Notice: 59 FR 50008
Petitioner: Independent Aggregates
Reg Affected: 30 CFR 56.6306(b)
Summary of Findings: Petitioner's proposal to continue drilling the
shot pattern while loading is in progress by completing a drill hole
and immediately loading the hole while continuing to drill a new hole
considered acceptable alternative method. Granted with conditions.
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.
[[Page 39429]]
1. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M-95-92-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1002 to its Loveridge No. 22 Mine (I.D. No.
46-01433) located in Marion County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use high-voltage (4,160 volts) cables inby the last open
crosscut to supply power to longwall equipment. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
2. Costain Coal, Inc.
[Docket No. M-95-93-C]
Costain Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 289, Sturgis, Kentucky 42459-0289 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) to
its Wheatcroft Mine (I.D. No. 15-13920) located in Webster County,
Kentucky. Due to deteriorating roof conditions in the Main North and
1st North Panel and the approaches to the No. 10 seals, traveling the
area would be unsafe. The petitioner proposes to establish evaluation
points to determine the direction and quantity of air going into the
affected area and to examine these points on a weekly basis. The
petitioner states that application of the standard would result in a
diminution of safety to the persons making weekly examinations. In
addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
3. Western Mingo Coal Company
[Docket No. M-95-94-C]
Western Mingo Coal Company, P.O. Box 119, Naugatuck, West Virginia
25685 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350
to its Northern Mingo No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08369) located in Mingo
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level
carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire detection
system in all belt entries used as intake air courses. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
4. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.
[Docket No. M-95-95-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 75.1101-8 to its 9AB - H4 Mine (I.D. No. 15-
17667) located in Floyd County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to permit the use of a single line of
automatic sprinklers for its fire protection system on main and
secondary belt conveyors. The petitioner proposes to use a single
overhead pipe system with 1/2-inch orifice automatic sprinklers located
on 10-foot centers to cover 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet
of nonfire- resistant belt with actuation temperatures between 200 and
230 degrees fahrenheit and with water pressure equal to or greater than
10 psi; to have automatic sprinklers located not more than 10 feet
apart in order for the discharge of water to extend over the belt
drive, belt take-up, electrical control, and gear reducing unit; and to
conduct annual functional tests of each water sprinkler system. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
5. Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation
[Docket No. M-95-96-C]
Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation, 9100 East Mineral Circle,
Englewood, Colorado 80112 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.507 to its Cumberland Mine (I.D. No. 36-05018)
located in Green County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use
nonpermissible submersible pumps to dewater bleeder sumps or bleeder
entries in order to provide unrestricted airflow into the return air
shaft or through the return entries. The petitioner states that these
pumps are designed to cease operation when the water level is 3 feet
above the level of the pump motor and would operate on a 480-volt
three-phase alternating current electrical power circuit with a
resistor grounded wye transformer protected by a line power ground-
fault, pilot combination unit; that proposed revisions for their
training plan would be implemented and given to the District Manager
for the area in which the pump and pump electrical controls are
located; and that the training plan would specify task training for all
selected mine electricians who will perform electrical work on the
pumps. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the
mandatory standard.
6. Cyprus Empire Corporation
[Docket No. M-95-97-C]
Cyprus Empire Corporation (previously Empire Energy Corporation),
P.O. Box 68, Craig, Colorado 81626 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1002 to its Eagle No. 5 Mine (I.D. No. 05-
01370) located in Moffat County, Colorado. The petitioner requests that
Item 10 of MSHA's Proposed Decision and Order granting petition for
modification, docket number M-84-263-C be amended. The petitioner
states that it is imperative that as products meet flame resistance and
other MSHA specifications, they become available for use instead of
obsolete products; and that the request to amend the presently approved
petition addresses this specific issue.
7. Mt. Top Coal Company
[Docket No. M-95-98-C]
Mt. Top Coal Company, 104 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City, Pennsylvania
17980 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335
to its Buck Mt. Slope (I.D. No. 36-07359) located in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to
permit alternative methods of seal construction using wooden materials
of moderate size and weight due to difficulty in accessing previously
driven headings and breasts containing inaccessible abandoned workings;
to accept a design criterion in the 10 psi range; and to permit the
water trap to be installed in the gangway seal and sampling tube in the
monkey seal for seals installed in pairs. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as would the mandatory standard.
8. Key West Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M-95-99-C]
Key West Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 768, Grundy, Virginia 24614 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360 to its Mine
No. 3 (I.D. No. 44-03264) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The
petitioner requests relief from the standard requiring preshift
examinations of underground conveyor belts in its entirety. The
petitioner states that the area cannot be traveled safely due to
deteriorating roof conditions in the No. 1 conveyor belt entry starting
at a location approximately 170 feet from the surface and extending for
a distance of approximately 90 feet. As an alternative, the petitioner
proposes to visually examine the 90 feet area affected from both the
inby and outby ends. The petitioner states that
[[Page 39430]]
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to
the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as would the mandatory standard.
9. Performance Coal Company
[Docket No. M-95-100-C]
Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 to its
Upper Big Branch South Mine (I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level
carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire detection
system in all belt entries used as intake air courses. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
10. Performance Coal Company
[Docket No. M-95-101-C]
Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 to its
Upper Big Branch South Mine (I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine through
oil and gas wells. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would
the mandatory standard.
11. C.L.D., Inc.
[Docket No. M-95-10-M]
C.L.D., Inc., 2765 East 500 South, Vernal, Utah 84078 has filed a
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.4760(a) to its Cowboy
No. 1 and 2 Mine (I.D. No. 42-02096) located in Uintah County, Utah.
The petitioner requests a variance from the mandatory safety standard
because the mining methods used at its gilsonite mines do not provide a
physical means to comply with the standard. The petitioner states that
a gilsonite mine uses an open-trench method of mining and that the
mines are connected to other mines and are self-ventilating. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
Request for Comments
Persons interested in these petitions may furnish written comments.
These comments must be filed with the Office of Standards, Regulations
and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 627, 4015
Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be
postmarked or received in that office on or before September 1, 1995.
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: July 25, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-18947 Filed 8-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
