[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20946]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 25, 1994]
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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. Genwal Coal Company (Amendment)
[Docket No. M-94-116-C]
Genwal Coal Company, P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No.
42-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use
belt air to ventilate the face area; to install a low-level carbon
monoxide detection system that would provide both visual and audible
alarm signals as an early warning device in belt entries used as intake
air courses; and to provide two separate and distinct intake air
escapeways to the miners working in the development sections. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
2. Three Way Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-117-C]
Three Way Coal Company, P.O. Box 17, Brachdale, Pennsylvania 17923
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400
(hoisting equipment; general) to its Little Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-
08332) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Because of the
steep, frequently changing pitch and numerous curves and knuckles in
the main haulage slope, the petitioner proposes to use the gunboat
without safety catches in transporting persons. As an alternative, when
using the gunboat to transport persons, the petitioner proposes to use
an increased rope strength safety factor and secondary safety
connections which are securely fastened around the gunboat and to the
hoisting rope above the main connecting device.
3. Red Oak Mining Company
[Docket No. M-94-118-C]
Red Oak Mining Company, P.O. Box 210, Westover, Pennsylvania 16692
has filed to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-4(a)(3)
(automatic fire sensor and warning device systems) to its South Mine
(I.D. No. 36-07810) located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The
petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection
system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt entries
where a monitoring system identifies a sensor location instead of
having a detection system in each belt flight. The petitioner states
that the carbon monoxide monitoring system would be capable of
providing both a visual and audible alarm signal that would be
activated when the carbon monoxide level at any sensor reaches 10 ppm
above the ambient level of the mine, and that all miners would be
withdrawn to a safe location unless the cause for the alarm is
determined not be hazardous to the miners. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as would the mandatory standard.
4. Red Oak Mining Company
[Docket No. M-94-119-C]
Red Oak Mining Company, P.O. Box 210, Westover, Pennsylvania 16692
has filed to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and
belt haulage entries) to its South Mine (I.D. No. 36-07810) located in
Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to install a low-
level carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire
detection system in conveyor belt entries used as intake air courses
that would provide both visual and audible alarm signals when the
carbon monoxide level at any sensor is 10 ppm above the ambient level
for the mine, when an audible alarm signal is different from the alert
signal, and when the carbon monoxide level reaches 15 ppm above the
ambient level for the mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternate method would provide at least the same measure of protection
as would the mandatory standard.
5. Somerset Mining Company
[Docket No. M-94-120-C]
Somerset Mining Company, P.O. Box 535, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Sanborn Creek Mine (I.D. No.
05-04452) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes
to use belt air to ventilate active working places in order to enhance
the operator's ability to ventilate remote sections of the mine. The
petitioner states that application of the standard would result in a
diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
6. Arclar Company
[Docket No. M-94-121-C]
Arclar Company, 29 West Raymond, P.O. Box 444, Harrisburg, Illinois
62946 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.360(b)(6) (preshift examination) to its Big Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 11-
02879) located in Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to
conduct preshift examinations of the intake air at specified locations
to determine the quality and quantity of the air reporting to the
operating unit and to examine the neck areas for any changes in roof
conditions on a weekly basis. The petitioner states that a six month
history of preshift examinations have shown no quantity of methane or
oxygen deficiency. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would
the mandatory standard.
7. Freeman United Coal Mining Company
[Docket No. M-94-122-C]
Freeman United Coal Mining Company, P.O. Box 100, West Frankfort,
Illinois 62896-0100 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 Orient No. 6 Mine (I.D. No. 11-
00599) located in Jefferson County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes
to use 2400 volt cables to power longwall equipment inby the last open
crosscut and within 150 feet of pillar workings (gob) areas. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at
least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
8. B&M Coal Company
[Docket No. M-94-123-C]
B&M Coal Company, Box 37, Dilliner, Pennsylvania 15327 has filed an
amended petition for its B&M No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 36-06126) located in
Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests that previous
petition, docket number M-91-102-C, for 30 CFR 75.362 be amended. The
petitioner requests that Item No. 15 of the previous petition be
amended to include language requiring intake escapeways to be
maintained in accordance with new mandatory standard 30 CFR 75.380
(f)(1) (Ventilation Final Rule of November 15, 1992). The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.
9. Kennecott Utah Copper
[Docket No. M-94-36-M]
Kennecott Utah Copper, 8362 West 10200 South, P.O. Box 525, Bingham
Canyon, Utah 84006-0525 has filed an amended petition to its previous
petition 30 CFR 56.9022, docket number M-86-20-M for its Concentrator
North (I.D. No. 42-00717) located in Salt Lake County, Utah. The
petitioner requests that the previous petition be amended to reflect
the new mandatory standard 30 CFR 56.9300 (d)(1) and (d)(3). The
petitioner proposes to post warning signs that impoundment roadway is
not bermed and caution must be used at each access point from the outer
roadway because of the structure of the tailings impoundment; to post
signs that limit speed at 15 MPH; to limit access to the impoundment
roadway to only authorized personnel required to be in the area for
inspecting and/or maintaining the pipeline in the area, in the
tailings, and/or the roadway. In addition, the petitioner proposes to
install a 24-inch diameter pipeline on the inside edge of the
impoundment roadway that serves as a continuous delineator to vehicle
drivers; to limit traffic on the roadway to one-way traffic; to limit
access to personnel required to have access to conduct inspections or
perform maintenance; to provide training to all authorized personnel
concerning special hazard recognition; and to issue a special license,
that would be updated every four years, to authorized drivers in the
area. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternate method would
provide at least same measure of protection as would the mandatory
standard.
10. Rock of Ages Corporation, and Swenson Granite Company, Inc.
(Subsidiary of Rock of Ages)
[Docket No. M-94-37-M]
Rock of Ages Corporation, P.O. Box 482, Barre, Vermont 05641 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.19003 to its
Rock of Ages Lite Side (I.D. No. 43-00024); its Rock of Ages Dark Side
(I.D. No. 43-00023); and its Wells Lamson (I.D. No. 43-00063) all
located in Washington County, Vermont, and its Gray Quarry (I.D. No.
27-00083) located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. The petitioner
requests relief from the mandatory standard as it applies to chain
drives between the driving mechanism and the gear train of the hoists,
allowing the use of chain drives for such application. 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 26, 1994.
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated: August 18, 1994.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 94-20946 Filed 8-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
