[Federal Register: May 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 95)]
[Notices]
[Page 28714-28716]
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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. Perry County Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-2006-009-C]
Perry County Coal Corporation, 1845 S. KY Hwy.15, Hazard, Kentucky
41701 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.364(a)(2) (Weekly examination) to its HZ4-1 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 15-
02085) located in Perry County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a
modification of the existing standard to permit approved check points 5
and 5A to be relocated in the neutral entry on the Southwest Mains, and
add check points 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5I, 5J, 5K, 5L, 5M, and 5N
which will be located in the neutral entry in the Southwest Mains, due
to hazardous roof and rib conditions. The petitioner has listed
specific procedures in this petition that will be followed when the
proposed alternative method is implemented. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure
of protection as the existing standard.
2. Six M. Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2006-010-C]
Six M Coal Company, 647 South Street, Lykens, Pennsylvania 17048
has filed a petition to modify the application of paragraph (b) of 30
CFR 49.2 (Availability of mine rescue teams) to its No. 1 Slope Mine
(MSHA I.D. No. 36-09138) located in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to permit
the use of reduction of two mine rescue teams with three members with
one alternative for either team in lieu of two mine rescue teams with
five members and one alternate each team. The petitioner asserts that
to utilize five or more rescue team members in the mine's confined
working places would result in a diminution of safety to both the
miners at the mine 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.
3. Six M. Coal Company
[Docket No.M-2006-011-C]
Six M Coal Company, 647 South Street, Lykens, Pennsylvania 17048
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202 and
1202-1(a) (Temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its No.
1 Slope Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09138) located in Dauphin County,
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to revise and supplement mine
maps annually instead of every 6 months as required, and to update maps
daily by hand notations. The petitioner also proposes to conduct
surveys prior to commencing retreat mining and whenever either a
drilling program under 30 CFR 75.388 or plan for mining into
inaccessible areas under 30 CFR 75.389 is required. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as the existing standard.
4. Twentymile Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2006-012-C]
Twentymile Coal Company, Gateway Center, Suite 1340, 401 Liberty
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 has filed a petition to modify
the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2) (On-shift examination) to its
Foidel Creek Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 05-03836) located in Routt County,
Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative method of compliance to the taking of
methane tests by means of an extendable probe. The petitioner proposes
the following for use when equipment is operated inby the last open
crosscut such as, but not limited to, spot roof-bolting and cleanup
activities with a scoop or other mining equipment: (i) In working
places before a continuous miner is taken into the place or energized,
methane tests will be taken at the face from under permanent roof
support or when such test is not appropriate because the last row of
permanent roof support or when such test is not appropriate because the
last row of permanent support is sufficiently back from the face, using
a probe with a maximum extension of 16 feet inby the second row of
supports. If the probe is used, a methane test will be taken with an
on-board methane detection system which draws a sample from the face to
be performed once the miner is trammed to a location beyond supported
roof; (ii) in working places before a roof bolter, scoop or other
equipment is taken into the place or energized inby the last open
crosscut but outby the last row of bolts, before the equipment it taken
into the place or energized, methane tests will at the face from under
permanent roof support or when such test is not appropriate because the
last row of permanent support is sufficiently back from the face, using
a probe 16 feet inby the second row of bolts. The methane tests at the
last row of permanent roof supports will be taken every 20 minutes with
the equipment as energized unless the equipment is inby the face
ventilation device. If so, a probe will be used to check for methane 16
feet inby the second row of bolts; and (iii) in working places before a
roof bolter is taken into the place or energized inby the last open
crosscut and inby the last row of bolts, before the equipment is taken
into the place or energized, methane tests will be taken at the face
from under permanent roof support, or when such test is not appropriate
because the last row of permanent support is sufficiently back from the
face using a probe that extends 16 feet inby the second row of bolts,
and a machine-mounted methane monitor will be installed on the roof
bolter using the specific procedures listed in the this petition. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
5. Twentymile Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2006-013-C]
Twentymile Coal Company, Gateway Center, Suite 1340, 401 Liberty
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 has filed a petition to modify
the application of 30 CFR 75.362(a)(2) (On-shift examination) to its
Foidel Creek Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 05-03836) located in Routt County,
Colorado. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative method of compliance for examining of
dust control parameters. The petitioner proposes to have a certified
person conduct the examination as required in 30 CFR 75.362(a)(2). The
certified persons will have readily available to them pressure gauges
and similar devices that are useful in conducting the examinations. The
examinations will be conducted on the shift prior to the first
production shift within three hours of the end of the shift by
experienced personnel qualified to perform such examinations, and any
potential hazards will be identified. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
6. Twentymile Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2006-014-C]
Twentymile Coal Company, Gateway Center, Suite 1340, 401 Liberty
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 has filed a petition to modify
the application of 30 CFR 75.1902(c) (Underground diesel fuel storage-
general requirements) to its Foidel Creek Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 05-03836)
located in Routt County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a
modification of the existing standard to permit the use of additional
temporary underground diesel fuel storage areas. The petitioner
proposes to utilize additional temporary underground diesel fuel
storage areas, particularly, but not limited to, so that it can perform
work in its tailgate such as removing belt structure, installing seals,
and rock dusting. The petitioner states that the temporary fuel storage
will be equipped with an automatic fire suppression system; a carbon
monoxide sensor will be installed immediately downwind from the station
which will be linked to the mine-wide atmospheric monitoring system;
the temporary fuel storage area will be located in an area of the mine
in a separate split of air from any active working sections; and the
temporary fuel storage area will be vented to the return. The
petitioner further states that the location of the storage area will
have access to two separate and distinct escapeways, one of which
contains intake air and will be either in the entry where the fuel
storage area is located, or one crosscut inby or outby the area through
an open crosscut, a man-door, or equipment door. The petitioner has
listed additional specific procedures in this petition that will be
followed when the proposed alternative method is implemented. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
7. Twentymile Coal Company
[Docket No. M-2006-015-C]
Twentymile Coal Company, Gateway Center, Suite 1340, 401 Liberty
Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 has filed a petition to modify
the application of 30 CFR 75.324 (Intentional changes in the
ventilation system) to its Foidel Creek Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 05-03836)
located in Routt County, Colorado. The petitioner requests a
modification of the existing standard to permit the temporary reversal
of the air in the belt entry during non-production work in the belt
entry, or because of the necessity of emergency access for belt
breakage, coal spillage, or roof conditions that require access without
having to remove persons from the mine or de-energize power for the
affected area. The petitioner has listed specific procedures in this
petition that will be followed when the proposed alternative method is
implemented. 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: zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov.gov; Fax: (202) 693-9441; or
Regular Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100
Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments
must be postmarked or received in that office on or before June 16,
2006.
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.
Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 10th day of May 2006.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. E6-7469 Filed 5-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
