[Federal Register: August 10, 2000 (Volume 65, Number
155)]
[Notices]
[Page 49017-49018]
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. Pine Ridge Coal Company
[Docket No.
M-2000-085-C]
Pine Ridge Coal Company, 50 School
House Road, Seth, West Virginia 25181 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 Whites Branch Mine (I.D. No.
46-08827) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner requests a
modification to its previously granted petition for modification, docket number
M- 98-004-C, allowing 2400 volt cables to be used inby the last open crosscut at
the working continuous miner sections at the Pine Ridge Coal Company, Robin Hood
No. 9 Mine (I.D. No. 46-02143), to be transferred to Pine Ridge Coal Company's
Whites Branch Mine (I.D. No. 46-08827), where equipment will be transferred and
production begins the first of August 2000. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
2. The United Mine Workers of
America
[Docket No. M-2000-086-C]
The
United Mining Workers of America, P.O. Box 28, Castlewood, Virginia 24224 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1712-2 (location of
surface facility) on behalf of the Sea "B'' Mining Company, Silver Creek Mine
(I.D. No. 44-16895) located in Tazewell County, Virginia. The petitioner
requests modification of the existing standard to require suitable
transportation be provided for miners traveling to and from the centrally
located bathing facility. The petitioner states that the miners have to crawl in
mud, coal dust, oil, grease, and other contaminants in the underground mine
environment and then drive to the centrally located bathing facility which
creates unsafe conditions for the miners, and conflicts with applicable state
highway laws that promote safe operation of motor vehicles. The petitioner
asserts that the existing standard would result in a diminution of safety to the
miners.
3. The Pittsburgh & Midway Coal Mining Company
[Docket No. M-2000-087-C]
The Pittsburgh
& Midway Coal Mining Company, P.O. Box 6518, Englewood, Colorado 80155-6518
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and gas
wells) to its North River No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 01-00759) located in Fayette
County, Alabama. The petitioner proposes to plug and abandon oil and gas wells,
and mine through the oil and gas wells with a longwall mining machine instead of
maintaining a 300 foot barrier around the well. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
4. Elk Run Coal Company,
Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-088-C]
Elk Run
Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 has filed a petition
to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and gas wells) to its White
Knight Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to plug and mine through oil and gas wells using specific
procedures outlined in this petition for modification. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
5. Elk Run Coal Company,
Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-089-C]
Elk Run
Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 has filed a petition
to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and gas wells) to its Castle
Mine (I.D. No. 46-07009) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to plug and mine through oil and gas wells using the specific
procedures outlined in this petition for modification. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
6. Elk Run Coal Company,
Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-090-C]
Elk Run
Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 has filed a petition
to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage
entries) to its Castle Mine (I.D. No. 46- 07009) located in Boone County, West
Virginia. 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.
Freeman United Coal Mining Company
[Docket No. M-2000-091-C]
Freeman United Coal Mining Company, 1999 Wabash
Avenue, Suite 2008, Springfield, Illinois 62704-5364 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered
equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Crown III Mine (I.D. No.
11-02632) located in Montgomery County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a
modification of the standard to permit a diesel- powered road grader to be
operated without front wheel brakes. The petitioner proposes to operate its
diesel grader at a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour, lower the grader blade
(mold board) to increase stopping capability in emergencies, and provide
training for the grader operators on how to recognize appropriate levels of
speed for different road and slope conditions. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
8. 3-D Management Services,
Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-092-C]
3-D
Management Services, Inc., P.O. Box 186, Madison, West Virginia 25130 has filed
a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible electric face
equipment; maintenance) to its Campbells Creek #5 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08718)
located in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a
threaded ring and a spring- loaded device on battery plug connectors for mobile
battery powered machines to prevent the plug connector from accidently
disengaging while under load instead of using padlocks. 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.
9. Elk Run
Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-093-C]
Elk Run Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West
Virginia 25193 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.1002-1(a) (location of other electric equipment; requirements for
permissibility) to its White Knight Mine (I.D. No. 46-08055) located in Boone
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a Joy Technologies, Inc.,
high-voltage (4,160 volts) longwall mining machine at the face. The petitioner
asserts that application of its alternative method will not result in a
diminution of safety to the miners.
10. Elk Run Coal Company,
Inc.
[Docket No. M-2000-094-C]
Elk Run
Coal Company, Inc., Box 497, Sylvester, West Virginia 25193 has filed a petition
to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002-1(a) (location of other electric
equipment; requirements for permissibility) to its Castle Mine (I.D. No.
46-08055) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use
a Joy Technologies, Inc., high-voltage (4,160 volts) longwall mining machine at
the face. The petitioner asserts that application of its alternative method will
not result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
11. Contour
Erection and Siding Systems, Inc., d/b/a Contour Steel
[Docket No.
M-2000-006-M]
Contour Erection and Siding Systems,
Inc., d/b/a/ Contour Steel, 17 Court Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 has filed a
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.15003 (protective footwear) to
its American Rock Salt Mine (I.D. No. 30-03255) located in Livingston County,
New York. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to
permit Contour employees who are Ironworkers, not to wear steel capped footwear
while climbing structural columns, erecting reinforcing steel, or performing
other work where foot protection would reduce their safety. The petitioner
states that modification of the existing standard would apply only to Contour's
employees who would be engaged in mining or other mine related work activities,
and that application of the existing standard would compromise the safety of the
Ironworkers and affect their job performance.
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 September 11, 2000. Copies of these petitions are
available for inspection at that address.
Dated: July
28, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-20316 Filed 8-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE
4510-43-P
