[Federal Register: February 4, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 24)]
[Notices]
[Page 5700-5702]
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. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-143-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 75.701 (grounding metallic frames, casings, and
other enclosures of electric equipment) to its Rhoades Branch H-4 Mine
(I.D. No. 15-18212) located in Lechter County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to use a diesel-generated source of low and medium voltage,
three-phase electrical power during transportation of certain mobile
equipment underground. The petitioner has listed in this petition
specific terms and conditions for using the generator system. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
2. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-144-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 75.901(a) (protection of low- and medium-voltage
three-phase circuits used underground) to its Rhoades Branch H-4 Mine
(I.D. No. 15-18212) located in Lechter County, Kentucky. The petitioner
proposes to use a diesel-generated source of low- and medium-voltage,
three-phase electrical power during transportation of certain mobile
equipment underground. The petitioner proposes to derive a low-and
medium-voltage, three-phase, alternating current for use underground
from a portable, diesel-driven generator. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as the mandatory standard.
3. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-145-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 (water sprinkler systems; arrangement
of sprinklers) to its Rhoades Branch H-4 Mine (I.D. No. 15-18212)
located in Lechter County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a
single line of automatic sprinklers for its fire protection system on
main and secondary belt conveyors. The
[[Page 5701]]
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
4. Old Ben Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-146-C]
Old Ben Coal Company, P.O. Box 397, 13101 Zeigler Road,
Coulterville, Illinois 62237 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.902 (low- and medium-voltage ground check
monitor circuits) to its Zeigler #11 Mine (I.D. No. 11-02408) located
in Randolph County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of
the mandatory safety standard to permit the use of an alternative
method for ground check monitoring. The petitioner proposes that the
ground monitor would open a vacuum contactor instead of a circuit
breaker in all combination stationary belt starters at the Zeigler #11
Mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory
standard.
5. Old Ben Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-147-C]
Old Ben Coal Company, P.O. Box 397, 13101 Zeigler Road,
Coulterville, Illinois 62237 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low- and medium-voltage circuits serving
three-phase alternating current equipment; circuit breakers) to its
Zeigler #11 Mine (I.D. No. 11-02408) located in Randolph County,
Illinois. The petitioner requests that Item #1 of its previous petition
for modification, docket number M-96-147-C, be amended to read as
follows: The petition for modification shall apply to the requirement
for under-voltage protection and grounded phase protection for three-
phase circuits supplying stationary belt drive installations presently
in use or installed in the future. The petitioner asserts that this
amendment would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
previous petition.
6. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-148-C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its
Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-01436) located in Marshall County, West
Virginia. Due to deteroriating roof conditions in certain areas of the
return air course, the petitioner proposes to establish two check
points that will be maintained in safe condition at all times, and to
have a certified person test for methane and the quantity of air at
both check points on a weekly basis. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
7. Fork Creek Mining Company
[Docket No. M-1999-149-C]
Fork Creek Mining Company, Fork Creek Mine Road, P.O. Box 24, Alum
Creek, West Virginia 25003 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to
its Fork Creek No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 48-08763) located in Kanawha
County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use air coursed
through the belt haulage entry to ventilate active working places. The
petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as
an early warning fire detection system in all belt entries used to
carry intake air to a working place. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
8. Perry County Mining Company
[Docket No. M-1999-150-C]
Perry County Mining Company, P.O. Box 5002, Hazard, Kentucky 41701
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1)
(weekly examination) to its Eas #1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-02085) located in
Perry County, Kentucky. Due to deteriorating roof conditions in certain
areas of the intake air course, the petitioner proposes to establish
four check points as air measurement stations. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
9. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-021-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its West
Fork Mine (I.D. No. 23-01787) located in Reynolds County, Missouri. The
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will
result in a diminution of safety.
10. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-022-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its
Fletcher Mine and Mill (I.D. No. 23-00409) located in Reynolds County,
Missouri. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory
safety standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the
requirements for refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard and that application of the
existing standard will result in a diminution of safety.
11. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-023-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its Brushy
Creek Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00499) located in Reynolds County,
Missouri. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory
safety standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the
requirements for refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard and that application of the
existing standard will result in a diminution of safety.
12. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-024-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its Buick
Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00457) located in Reynolds County, Missouri. The
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will
result in a diminution of safety.
[[Page 5702]]
13. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-025-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its
Sweetwater Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00458) located in Reynolds County,
Missouri. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory
safety standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the
requirements for refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard and that application of the
existing standard will result in a diminution of safety.
14. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-026-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its No. 35
Mine (Casteel) (I.D. No. 23-01800) located in Iron County, Missouri.
The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard
to permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will
result in a diminution of safety.
15. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-027-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its No. 28
Mine/Mill (I.D. No. 23-00494) located in Iron County, Missouri. The
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will
result in a diminution of safety.
16. The DOE Run Company
[Docket No. M-1999-028-M]
The DOE Run Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to
modify the application of 30 CFR 57.11052 (refuge areas) to its No. 29
Mine (I.D. No. 23-00495) located in Iron County, Missouri. The
petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory safety standard to
permit an alternative method of compliance with the requirements for
refuge chambers. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
mandatory standard and that application of the existing standard will
result in a diminution of safety.
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 March 6,
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.
Dated: January 27, 2000.
Carol J. Jones,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 00-2516 Filed 2-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
