Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government.

Petition - Docket No. M-2000-014-C

 

In the matter of

Blue Mountain Energy Deserado Mine

I.D. No. 05-03505

Petition for Modification Docket No. M-2000-014-C

PROPOSED DECISION AND ORDER

 

On February 10, 2000, Blue Mountain Energy (Blue Mountain) filed a petition for modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.1908(a) (5) to its Deserado Mine in Rio Blanco County,

Colorado. On October 3, 2000, Blue Mountain amended the petition to seek modification of 30 CFR 75.1909(c) rather than

75 .1908 (a) (5) .

 

The Petitioner alleges that the proposed alternative method will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded by the standard.

 

MSHA investigated the petition and filed reports of the findings and recommendations to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health. After a careful review of the entire record, including the petition and the investigative reports and recommendations, this Proposed Decision and Order is issued.

 

Finding of Fact and Conclusion of Law

 

Blue Mountain Energy's petition originally sought modification of

30 CFR 75.1908(a) (5) as it applies to diesel pickup trucks towing diesel fuel trailers. The diesel equipment standard at 30 CFR 75.1908 categorizes diesel powered equipment according to its

use. If diesel pickup trucks are used to tow fuel trailers, they are categorized as heavy duty equipment. Heavy duty equipment must comply with the design and performance standards for nonpermissible diesel powered equipment at 30 CFR 75.1909.

Consequently, Blue Mountain amended the petition to request modification of 30 CFR 75.1909(c) .

 

Machines used to transport portable diesel fuel transportation units are classified as heavy duty equipment because they pull heavy loads and usually move with frequency around the section. When transporting large quantities of diesel fuel any collision or accident has the potential to create a major fire hazard.

Such movement also places a high load on the equipment for extended periods of time. This heavy use can place a burden on the brakes and can result in high exhaust system temperatures

 

 

which create an ignition hazard. For these reasons, MSHA requires heavy duty non-permissible equipment to have a supplemental braking system as required by Section 75.1909(c), a fire suppression system as required by Section 75.1911, and a weekly repeatable loaded engine emission test as required by Section 75.1914(g) of 30 CFR. The diesel powered pickup trucks are equipped with a fire suppression system pursuant to Section 75.1911. Blue Mountain agreed to perform the weekly repeatable loaded emission test as required by Sections 75.1914(g) should the modification be granted. Finally, heavy duty non-permissible equipment must comply with the emission limits for diesel particulate matter required by 30 CFR 72.501 which, as a health standard, cannot be modified through the petition process.

 

Section 75.1909(c) of 30 CFR requires self-propelled nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment as defined under 30 CFR 75.1908(a) to be provided with a supplemental braking system that:

 

a) Engages automatically within 5 seconds of shutdown of the engine;

 

bl Safely brings the equipment when fully loaded to a complete stop on the maximum grade on which it is operated;

 

  1. Holds the equipment stationary, despite any contraction of brake parts, exhaustion of any nonmechanical source of energy, or leakage;

     

  2. Releases only by a manual control that does not operate any other equipment function;

     

  3. Has a means in the equipment operator 's compartment to apply the brakes manually without shutting down the engine, and a means to release and reengage the brakes without the engine operating; and

     

  4. Has a means to ensure that the supplemental braking system is released before the equipment can be trammed, and is designed to ensure the brake is fully released at all times while the equipment is trammed.

 

MSHA's investigations determined that the supply haulage roads at the Deserado Mine extend some 4 miles to the face areas with a 15 percent grade for extended periods. There are 16 heavy duty

 

diesel units at the mine used for these cleanup and mine supply functions. Fuel transportation units towed by these heavy duty diesel units would comply with the standard.

 

Blue Mountain 's proposed alternative method is to allow light duty diesel-powered pickup trucks to tow fuel transportation

 

 

units. There are three diesel fuel transportation units at the mine which are all equipped with an automatic fire suppression system. The diesel-powered pickup trucks are delivered from the manufacturer with no bed. A flat bed, bumper and a pintle hitch are then installed. The pickup trucks are equipped with an automatic fire suppression system and they comply with all Part

75 light duty equipment requirements. The trucks are equipped with the standard OEM braking system which does not comply with the supplemental braking requirements of Section 1909(c) of 30 CFR.

 

Blue Mountain alleged that the pickup trucks have been used to haul the fuel transportation units for several years without incident. Because motor vehicle accidents may not need to be reported under Part 50 requirements, MSHA cannot conclude that pickup trucks can safely transport fuel transportation units

based upon the allegation that no accidents have been reported at the mine.

 

Blue Mountain 's original proposed alternative method provided "that diesel-powered pickup trucks utilized to tow diesel fuel transportation units will be only so utilized if the rated capacity of the truck exceeds the load by a fraction of 50 percent. " Blue Mountain later explained that this meant that the rated load capacity of the diesel powered pickup trucks capable

of handling a minimum of 150% of the fuel trailer weight. For example, if the load of the fuel transportation unit is 6500 pounds, the towing capacity of the truck must be greater than 9750 pounds (6500 50% of 6500). Limiting the maximum trailer weight significantly below the operating capacity of the towing vehicle might ensure that its suspension and braking capacity are not exceeded. However, this would not provide protection from the potential fire and explosion hazards associated with transporting large quantities of diesel fuel four miles, in and out of the mine, over grades of up to 15%. In this same regard,

limiting the diesel fuel trailer weight might reduce the possibility of exceeding the capabilities of the vehicle 's service braking system; however, it does not eliminate the potential for a fire resulting from service brake failure.

 

The standard braking system on the pickup truck is not designed to be a secondary or supplemental braking system capable of safely bringing the fully loaded vehicle to a complete stop on its maximum allowable grade. The standard requires a supplemental braking system on vehicles used to transport diesel fuel to ensure that the vehicle is provided with a primary service brake system and a secondary or supplemental braking system. The supplementary or secondary braking system must be capable of stopping and holding the fully loaded vehicle on the maximum grade. It must have a means of ensuring that the system is released before the equipment can be trammed. This serves to address the hazard of dragging brakes which were the cause of

 

 

numerous fires reported in the Ontario fire data. In the course of developing this standard, MSHA reviewed accident data from the Province of Ontario Canada. The data detailed fires on diesel powered equipment in underground mines from 1984 to 1992. Of 289 fires during this period, one fire involved a fuel trailer, 13 fires involved utility trucks, and 5 fires involved personnel carriers. Diesel fuel was the source for 25 of the 289 fires.

The excessive heat from dragging brakes is a potential ignition source. The standard provides protection from fire and explosion hazards associated with transporting large quantities of diesel fuel. Limiting the load capacity of the diesel powered pickup trucks does not provide at all times the same measure of protection as the supplemental braking system required by the standard.

 

Blue Mountain also proposed as an alternative method "that diesel fuel transportation units towed by a pickup truck will be

equipped with automatic fire suppression devices pursuant to 30 CFR Section 75.1911." A fire suppression device is not required on a fuel transportation unit unless it has an ignition device such as electric power for a dispensing pump. The fuel transportation units at this mine do not have an ignition source of this type and are not required to have a fire suppression device. However, adding a fire suppression device would not increase fire protection. A fire suppression device would not offer the same measure of protection as a supplemental braking system. The supplemental braking system reduces the potential for catastrophic accidents or fire due to service brake malfunctioning. A runaway fuel transportation unit on the

significant grades at this mine could result in diesel fuel being spilled in areas of the mine where other potential ignition sources are present. A supplemental braking system could also eliminate a potential ignition source caused by a dragging park brake. A fuel trailer 's fire suppression system would be ineffective in extinguishing or suppressing a fire caused by this type of accident. For these reasons, the addition of an

automatic fire suppression device to the fuel transportation unit does not at all times provide the same measure of protection as the supplemental braking system required by the standard.

 

Blue Mountain amended the proposed alternative method to provide "that the diesel-powered pickup trucks utilized to tow diesel fuel transportation units shall be equipped with an automatic fire suppression system meeting the requirements of 30 CFR

75.1911." Diesel-powered pickup trucks categorized as light duty equipment are required to be equipped with a manual or automatic fire suppression system. The pickup trucks at this mine are already equipped with an automatic fire suppression system. This provision does not provide additional protection, nor does it provide at all times the same measure of protection as the supplemental braking system required by the standard.

 

 

Blue Mountain further amended the proposed alternative method to provide "that diesel fuel transportation units being towed by a pickup truck shall be equipped with an adequate electric braking system." The electric braking system would be capable of stopping and holding the fully loaded diesel fuel transportation unit on the maximum grade of the mine. MSHA' s investigation determined that the diesel fuel trailers are already equipped with an electric braking system. Manufacturers recommend that these types of trailers be equipped with either a hydraulic or electric brake system. Also, the pickup truck manufacturer recommends that trailers weighing over 1000 pounds be equipped with brakes, and requires trailers weighing over 2000 pounds to be equipped with brakes. The manufacturer of the trailers used as fuel transportation units at the mine recommended that the trailer axle be equipped with brakes unless the gross vehicle weight of the trailer axle is less than 3000 pounds. Brakes on trailers used in underground coal mines are not mandatory under MSHA regulations; however, it is recommended that trailers weighing over 3000 pounds be equipped with brakes. Trailer brakes are intended to assist the towing vehicles braking system and are not supplemental or secondary brakes. The standard service braking system on a pickup truck is not designed to handle the additional load of a trailer weighing over 1000 pounds.

 

The diesel-powered pickup trucks were not built for the mining environment. Brakes can wear out prematurely and overheat when towing the additional weight of a trailer. Trailer brakes can compensate for the additional wear to the brakes on the diesel­ powered pickup trucks; however, they cannot provide at all times the same measure of protection as the supplemental braking system required by the standard.

 

Finally, Blue Mountain 's amended the alternative method to provide "that diesel-powered pickup trucks utilized to tow diesel fuel transportation units shall be equipped with an adequate trailer hitch and safety chains." MSHA's investigation

determined that Blue Mountain 's fuel transportation units are equipped with a receiver ring. A single 3/8 inch {Grade 80) chain is used for the safety chain. The fuel transportation

units utilize a single length of chain that is wrapped around the trailer tongue and secured with a threaded bolt. The other end

is equipped with a hook that would be attached to the truck. Both the pickup truck owner 's manual and the industry standard

{SAE J684; Trailer Coupling, Hitches, and Safety Chains - Automotive Type) specify a class IV trailer hitch when towing a trailer weighing more than 5000 pounds and the use of a safety chain. The use of a class IV hitch and safety chain is always recommended. MSHA determined that the safety chain rigging between the diesel fuel trailer and the towing vehicle were not in accordance with the SAE standard referenced above. Trailer hitches and safety chains are always recommended, but they do not

 

 

provide at all times the same measure of protection as the supplemental braking system required by the standard.

 

Blue Mountain 's proposed alternative method specifies initial and refresher training which would be provided prior to

implementation of the alternative method as part of a revised Part 48 training plan for all diesel-powered pickup truck operators towing diesel fuel transportation units. In addition, the alternative method would not be implemented until MSHA had inspected the equipment. Blue Mountain is already required to provide initial and refresher training for all miners in accordance with Part 48 and MSHA already inspects the equipment at the mine. Consequently, these provisions would not provide additional protection.

 

MSHA has evaluated the potential safety benefits of each provision of Blue Mountain 's proposed alternative as described above. MSHA has also considered the overall safety benefits for all of the provisions of the proposed alternative method and has concluded that they do not provide at all times the same measure of protection as the standard. The standard requires a supplemental braking system which would at all times provide protection from the fire and explosion hazards associated with transporting large quantities of diesel fuel up to 4 miles in and out of the mine and up and down grades of up to 15%. Limiting load capacity, installing fire suppression systems, installing electric trailer brakes on the fuel transportation unit, and utilizing trailer hitches and tow chains will not at all times provide the same measure of protection as would the supplemental braking system required by the standard.

 

Based on this information, MSHA concluded that the alternative method proposed by the Petitioner will not at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners under 30 CFR 75.1909(c).

 

On the basis of the petition and the findings of MSHA' s investigations, Blue Mountain Energy, Inc. is not granted a modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(c) to its Deserado Mine.

 

ORDER

 

Wherefore, pursuant to the authority delegated by the Secretary of Labor to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health, and pursuant to Section lOl(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. , sec. 811(c), it is ordered that Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.'s Petition for Modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(c) in the Deserado Mine is hereby:

 

DENIED.

 

 

Any party to this action desiring a hearing on this matter must file in accordance with 30 CFR 44.14, within 30 days. The

request for hearing must be filed with the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,

Virginia 22209-3939.

 

If a hearing is requested, the request shall contain a concise summary of position on the issues of fact or law desired to be raised by the party requesting the hearing, including specific objections to the proposed decision. A party other than Petitioner who has requested a hearing shall also comment upon all issues of fact or law presented in the petition, and any party to this action requesting a hearing may indicate a desired hearing site. If no request for a hearing is filed within 30 days after service thereof, the Decision and Order will become final and must be posted by the operator on the mine bulletin board at the mine.

 

John F. Langton Deputy Administrator

for Coal Mine Safety and Health