02-11726. Petitions for Modification

The following parties have filed petitions to modify the application of existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Consol of Pennsylvania Coal Company

Consol of Pennsylvania Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.35 (Portable trailing cables and cords) to its Enlow Fork Mine (I.D. No. 46-07416) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to increase the maximum length of trailing cables supplying power to continuous mining machines be 950 feet. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

2. Cook & Sons Mining, Inc.

Cook & Sons Mining, Inc., 147 Big Blue Boulevard, Whitesburg, Kentucky 41858 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.41(f) (Plug and receptacle-type connectors) to its Spring Branch #2 Mine, (I.D. No. 15-18287), UZ Deep Mine, (I.D. No. 15-18469), and Nu Enterprise Mine (I.D. No. 15-17481) all located in Letcher County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a permanently installed spring-loaded locking device to secure battery plugs on mobile battery-powered machines instead of a padlock to prevent unintentional loosening of the battery plugs from battery receptacles, and to eliminate the potential hazards associated with difficult removal of padlocks during emergency situations. The petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

3. Independence Coal Company, Inc.

Independence Coal Company, Inc., HC 78 Box 1800, Madison, West Virginia 25130 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 White Oak Mine (I.D. No. 46-08933), WVOMSHT Permit U-5021-91, located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to transfer 2,400 volt high-voltage equipment from one mine to another mine within the company. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

4. General Chemical (Soda Ash) Partners (GCSAP)

General Chemical (Soda Ash) Partners (GCSAP) has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.22305 (Approved equipment (III mines)) to its General Chemical Mine (I.D. No. 48-00155) located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit the use of the following non-permissible equipment in or beyond the last open crosscut: (i) A Leica Total Station Model No. TCR307 (6 volt battery), and (ii) a Milwaukee 14.4 Volt 1/2″ Hammer Drill Model No. 0514-20, or equivalent. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.

Request for Comments

Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit comments via e-mail to “[e-mail],” 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 June 10, 2002. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 6th day of May 2002.

Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.