[Federal Register: May 18, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 97)]
[Notices]
[Page 31611-31612]
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
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. Hopkins County Coal, LLC
[Docket No. M-2000-027-C]
Hopkins County Coal, LLC, P.O. Box 711, Madisonville, Kentucky
42431 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Island Mine
(I.D. No. 15-17515) located in Madisonville County, Kentucky. The
petitioner proposes to use a spring-loaded device with specific
fastening characteristics instead of a padlock to secure plugs and
electrical type connectors to batteries, and to permissible mobile
powered equipment, to prevent the battery plugs from accidentally
separating from the receptacle during normal operation of battery
equipment. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
2. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-028-C]
Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia
25193 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 Knight Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located
in Sylvester County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use
continuous mining machines with nominal voltage of the power circuits
not to exceed 2,300 volts. The petitioner asserts that its alternative
method would not result in a diminution of safety to the miners and
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
3. B & B Anthracite Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2000-029-C]
B & B Anthracite Coal Company, 225 Main Street, Joliett,
Pennsylvania 17981 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 49.2(b) (availability of mine rescue teams) to its Rock Ridge Slope
Mine (I.D. No. 36-07741) located in Schuylkill County, West Virginia.
The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit the
reduction of two mine rescue teams with five members and one alternate
each, to two mine rescue teams of three members with one alternate for
either team. The petitioner asserts that application of the existing
standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners and
members of the rescue team and that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
4. West Ridge Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-030-C]
West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d)
(permissible electric equipment)to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-
02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use
the following nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered electronic
testing and diagnostic equipment inby the last open crosscut: lap top
computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis machines, cable fault
detectors, point temperature probes, infrared temperature devices and
recorders, pressure and flow measurement devices, signal analyzer
devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic component testers,
electronic tachometers and battery operated drills. The petitioner has
listed in this petition for modification specific procedures that would
be followed when using this equipment. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
5. Genwal Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-031-C]
Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d)
(permissible electric equipment) to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No.
42-01715) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to
use the following nonpermissible low-voltage or battery powered
electronic testing and diagnostic equipment inby the last open
crosscut: lap top computers, oscilloscopes, vibration analysis
machines, cable fault detectors, point temperature probes, infrared
temperature devices and recorders, pressure and flow measurement
devices, signal analyzer devices, ultrasonic thickness gauges,
electronic component testers, electronic tachometers and battery
operated drills. The petitioner has listed in this petition for
modification specific procedures that would be followed when using this
equipment. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
6. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-032-C]
Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Rockhouse Energy Mining
Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17651) located in Sidney County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to allow air coursed through belt haulage
entries to be used to ventilate active working places. The petitioner
proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system in all
belt entries at certain locations as an early warning fire detection
system. The petitioner also proposes to adhere to other conditions. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
7. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-033-C]
Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 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 Rockhouse Energy Mining Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D.
No. 15-17651) located in Sidney County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to use 4,160 volt longwall face equipment, and to submit
proposed revisions for its approved part 48 training plans to the
District Manager that would specify initial and refresher training. The
petitioner has listed specific procedures in this petition for
modification that would be followed when using the longwall equipment.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
8. Sidney Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-034-C]
Sidney Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 299, Sidney, Kentucky 41564 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and
gas wells) to its Rockhouse Energy Mining Company, Mine No. 1 (I.D. No.
15-17651) located in Sidney County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes
to plug and mine through oil and gas wells using the specific
procedures listed in this petition for modification, and notify the
District Manager or designee prior to mining within 300 feet of a
plugged oil and gas well. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard and will not result in a diminution
of safety to the miners.
9. West Ridge Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-035-C]
West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return air
courses) to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon
County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use the belt entry as a return
air course during two-entry longwall development, and an intake during
longwall extraction, to ensure adequate ventilation to dilute and
render harmless any methane or other noxious gases that may accumulate.
The petitioner asserts that the application of the existing standard
would result in a diminution of safety and that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
10. West Ridge Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-036-C]
West Ridge Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.500(d)
(permissible electric equipment)to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-
02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner submitted this
petition on March 22, 2000. This petition is a duplicate of a
previously submitted petition. Therefore, the petitioner has rescinded
this petition.
11. National Gypsum Company
[Docket No. M-2000-001-M]
National Gypsum Company, 2550 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.11001 (safe
access) to its Kaufman-George Pit (I.D. No. 13-01615) located in
Webster County, Iowa. The petitioner requests a modification of the
standard to: permit the equipment operator to move between two parked
pieces of mobile equipment provided that each piece of equipment is
parked on level ground with the parking brakes engaged; the equipment
operator has ensured that the pieces of equipment are no further than
36 inches apart; and the equipment operator uses the equipment's
platforms, handholds, and foot supports to maintain three-point contact
at all times when moving between the pieces of equipment. The
petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would
result in a diminution of safety and that the proposed alternative
method would provide equivalent or superior protection as the existing
standard.
12. Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-002-M]
Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc., P.O. Box 1621, Alleghany,
California 95910 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 57.11059 (respirable atmosphere for hoist operators underground) to
its Sixteen to One Mine (I.D. No. 04-01299) located in Sierra County,
California. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to
permit continued use of its ``permissible combination self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) and pressure demand Type C supplied air
respirator'' (MSHA approved TC-13F-146 issued 4-13-88 and NIOSH
approved). The petitioner states that in the interest of the health and
safety of the hoist operator and miners, an exemption from the standard
would allow the equipment to be used without modification, and continue
to meet safety standards specific to the Sixteen to One Mine. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard and
that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution
of safety to the miners.
Request for Comments
Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit
comments via e-mail to "zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov,'' 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 19,
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.
Dated: May 8, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-12529 Filed 5-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
