Petition for Modification
In the matter of
Buck Mountain Coal Co.
Buck Mtn. Slope
I.D. No. 36-01962
Docket No. M-2002-062-C
30 CFR 75.1002(a)
PROPOSED DECISION AND ORDER
On July 26, 2002, a petition was filed seeking a modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.1002(a) to Petitioner's Buck Mtn. Slope Mine, located in Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The Petitioner alleges that the alternative method outlined in the petition will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded by the standard.
The petitioner stated that the modification was requested for the following reasons:
a) The (nonpermissible electric) equipment will be operated in the working section's only intake entry (gangway) which is regularly traveled and examined.
b) The use of drags on less than moderate pitching veins (less than 20 degrees pitch) is the only practical system of mining.
c) Permissible drags are not commercially available, and due to parts to their small size, permissible locomotives are not commercially available either.
d) As a result of low daily production rates and fully timbered support, in-rushes of methane due to massive pillar falls are unlikely to occur.
e) Recovery of the pillars above the 1st miner heading is usually done on the advance within 150 feet of the section intake (gangway) and the remaining minable pillars recovered form the deepest point of penetration outby.
f) The 5,000 cfm of required intake airflow is measured just outby the non-permissible equipment with the ventilating air passing over the equipment the pillar being mined.
g) The electrical equipment is attended during operation and either power to the unit de-energized at the intersection of the working gangway and intake slope or equipment moved to that area when production ceases, thereby, minimizing any ignition potential from the pillar recovery area.
h) Where more than one active line of pillar breast recovery exists the locomotive may travel to a point just outby the deepest active chute/breast (room) working or last open crosscut in a developing set of entries.
MSHA personnel conducted an investigation of the petition and filed a report of their findings and recommendations with the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health. After a careful review of the entire record, including the petition and MSHA's investigative report and recommendation, this Proposed Decision and Order is issued.
Finding of Fact and Conclusion of Law
The review of the petition and the investigation report reveals that the mining and ventilation practices common to underground anthracite mines have developed mainly as a result of mining coal seams that can pitch from 20 to 90 degrees. Coal extraction in these seams creates openings; some of which breech to the surface. The surface openings permit additional fresh air to enter mines and assist in total mine ventilation. The pitch of anthracite mines also helps to control and prevent accumulations of methane which is lighter than air and will naturally migrate from lower working places to upper mine areas to be exhausted by the mine fan or liberated through surface openings when the mine fan is not operating.
The investigation report confirmed all allegations of the petition, with the exception that there are no gangways and monkey headings. Only retreat mining of the slope pillars will be conducted. This will be the final mining for an abandoned colliery.
The alternative method proposed by the Petitioner (as amended by the recommendations of MSHA) will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners under 30 CFR 75.1002(a).
On the basis of the petition and the findings of MSHA's investigation, Buck Mountain Coal Company is granted a modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.1002(a) to its Buck Mtn. Slope 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 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C., sec. 811(c), it is ordered that Buck Mountain Coal Company's Petition for Modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.1002(a) in the Buck Mtn. Slope Mine is hereby:
GRANTED, for the use of nonpermissible battery-powered locomotives and nonpermissible electric drags and associated nonpermissible electric components located within 150 feet from pillar workings, conditioned upon compliance with the following terms and conditions:
1. At no time shall the nonpermissible battery-powered locomotives or nonpermissible electric drags and associated nonpermissible electric components be taken inby the last open crosscut or inby any open chute. Open chutes are openings that are absent of any ventilation control devices that provide separation of intake and return aircourses.
2. The nonpermissible electric drags and associated nonpermissible electric components shall be located in the intake air slope heading. Pillar retreat mining using such equipment shall conclude at least 20 feet above the slope heading.
3. The nonpermissible battery-powered locomotives or nonpermissible electric drags and associated nonpermissible electric components shall not be energized or operated anytime the preshift examination detects 0.25% or more methane in the intake air passing over them.
4. On-shift tests for methane shall be taken every two hours at the locations of nonpermissible battery-powered locomotives when located within 150 feet from pillar workings. The nonpermissible battery-powered locomotives shall not be operated if 0.25% or more methane is detected in the intake air passing over them.
5. On-shift tests for methane shall be taken every two hours at the locations of nonpermissible electric drags and associated nonpermissible electric components when located within 150 feet from pillar workings (including times of pillar development and recovery). The nonpermissible electric drags and associated nonpermissible electric components shall be immediately deenergized if 0.25% or more methane is detected in the intake air passing over them. Any detection of 0.25% or more methane will be immediately reported to the MSHA District Manager.
6. Results of the methane tests conducted during the on-shift examinations as specified in Stipulation Nos. 4 and 5, shall be recorded in a book provided for that purpose on the surface.
7. The nonpermissible battery-powered locomotives shall be located at least 150 feet away from pillar workings upon completion of coal production activities during each shift.
8. The nonpermissible electric drags and associated nonpermissible electric components shall be:
(a) Attended while energized; and
(b) Deenergized upon completion of coal production activities during each shift.
9. Within 60 days after the Proposed Decision and Order becomes final, the Petitioner shall submit proposed revisions for its approved 30 CFR Part 48 training plan to the Coal Mine Safety and Health District Manager. These proposed revisions shall specify initial and refresher training regarding compliance with the Proposed Decision and Order.
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
Acting Deputy Administrator
for Coal Mine Safety and Health