[Federal Register: September 8, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 174)]
[Notices]
[Page 53134-53135]
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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 and 30 CFR part 44.
1. FKZ Coal, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2006-019-C]
FKZ Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 62, Locust Gap, Pennsylvania 17840 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1400 (Hoisting
equipment; general) to its No. 1 Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-08637)
located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests
that previously granted petition for modification, docket number M-98-
012-C, be amended to change the wire rope from \7/8\-inch wire
rope to \5/8\ inch wire rope. As in the previously granted petition for
modification, the petitioner proposes to use the slope (gunboat) to
transport persons in shafts and slopes without safety catches or other
no less effective devices. Instead, petitioner proposes to use an
increased rope strength/safety factor and secondary safety rope
connection. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing
standard.
2. McElroy Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2006-020-C]
McElroy Coal Company, RD #4, Box 425, Route 2, Moundsville,
West Virginia 26041 has filed a petition to modify the application of
30 CFR 77.214(a) (Refuse piles; general) to its McElroy Mine (MSHA I.D.
No. 46-01437) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to abandon the escape shaft by filling it with cement grout
and capping the shaft with a 6-inch thick concrete cap along with a
minimum 5-foot thick by 25-foot wide clay cap. They previously
described this proposal in the Sealing Plan submitted on April 6, 2006
to the MSHA District 3 office in Morgantown, West Virginia and included
it as ``Attachment 1'' to the petition for modification. Further, the
petitioner proposes to backfill around and or near the abandoned shaft
with coarse coal refuse as part of the expansion of the Conner Run Dam
after the abandonment of the shaft is completed. In addition,
petitioner avers that abandonment of the shaft with cement grout will
eliminate the potential of material consolidation, void formation or
seepage flows between the abandoned shaft and underground workings. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
3. AMFIRE Mining Company, LLC
[Docket No. M-2006-021-C]
AMFIRE Mining Company, LLC, One Energy Place, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
15650 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-
2(e)(2) (Quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its
Madison Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09127) located in Cambria County,
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with the
firefighting equipment required at temporary electrical installations.
The petitioner proposes to use two (2) fire extinguishers or one fire
extinguisher of twice the required capacity at all temporary electrical
installations, in lieu of using 240 pounds of rock dust. In support of
the request, petitioner asserts that having two (2) fire extinguishers
at each temporary electrical installation will eliminate or minimize
the problems associated with the maintenance of rock dust at temporary
electrical installations. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
4. R S & W Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2006-022-C]
R S & W Coal Company, Inc., 207 Creek Road, Klingerstown,
Pennsylvania 17941 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30
CFR 75.1714-2(c) (Self-rescue devices; use and location requirements)
to its RS&W Drift Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-01818) located in Schuylkill
County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit self-contained self-rescue (SCSR) devices
to be stored within 200 feet of the working face. The petitioner states
that in steeply pitching, conventional anthracite mines, entries are
advanced as far as 200 feet vertically, which exposes the miner to trip
and fall hazards and the necessity of carrying supplies up narrow
entries while wearing the SCSRs may result in damage to the SCSR and
also may result in a diminution of safety to the miner. 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. Include ``petitions for
modification'' in the subject line of the e-mail. Comments can also be
submitted by fax, regular mail, or hand-delivery. If faxing your
comments, include ``petitions for modification'' on the subject line of
the fax. Comments by regular mail or hand-delivery should be submitted
to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, Virginia 22209. If hand-delivered, you are required to stop
by the 21st floor to check in with the receptionist. All comments must
be postmarked or received by the Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances on or before October 10, 2006. Copies of the petitions are
available for inspection at that address.
Dated at Arlington, Virginia, this 25th day of August 2006.
Ria Moore Benedict,
Deputy Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. E6-14888 Filed 9-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
