[Federal Register: May 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 95)]
[Notices]
[Page 27955]
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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 existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
1. Dakota Westmoreland Corporation
[Docket No. M-2004-018-C]
Dakota Westmoreland Corporation, P.O. Box 39, Beulah, North Dakota
58523-0039 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
77.1607(u) (Loading and haulage equipment; operation) to its Beulah
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 32-00043) located in Mercer County, North Dakota.
The petitioner proposes to use a portable hydraulic unit (power pack)
to tow large trucks in lieu of using a tow bar and safety chain. The
petitioner states that qualified operators and mechanics would be task
trained to perform the installations of the power pack, and if anything
fails, the haul trucks' brakes would automatically set up and all
towing procedures would be stopped. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would not result in a diminution of safety
to the miners.
2. Oak Grove Resources, LLC
[Docket No. M-2004-019-C]
Oak Grove Resources, LLC, Gateway Center, Suite 1340, 401 Liberty
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1522 has filed a petition to modify
the application of 30 CFR 75.507 (Power connection points) to its Oak
Grove Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 01-00851) located in Jefferson County,
Alabama. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of high-voltage submersible pumps in
boreholes into an area of the Oak Grove Mine where water has
accumulated. The petitioner proposes to equip the pumps with probes to
determine a high and low water level. The probes will consist of
redundant electronic pressure transducers that are suitable for
submersible pump control application. The probe circuits will be
protected by a MSHA approved intrinsically safe barrier. The pump
electric control will be designed and installed so that the pump will
not start manually or automatically if water is below the low water
probe level, the pump will cease operation when the water level is
lower than the low water probe, and the pump will start operation when
the water level reaches the high water probe. The petitioner has listed
in this petition additional terms and conditions that would be
implemented when using the proposed alternative method. 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 zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov, by fax at (202) 693-9441, or
by regular mail to the Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
Mine Safety and Health Administration, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room
2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments must be postmarked or
received in that office on or before June 16, 2004. Copies of these
petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 11th day of May 2004.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 04-11050 Filed 5-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
