April 22, 2005
In the matter of: Petition for Modification Consolidation Coal Company
Blacksville No. 2 Mine
I.D. No. 46-01968 Docket No. M-2004-048-C
PROPOSED DECISION AND ORDER
On November15, 2004, a petitionwas filed seeking a modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.507 to Petitioner's Blacksville No. 2 Mine, locatedin Monongalia County, West Virginia. The Petitioner alleges that the alternative method outlined in the petition will at all times guaranteeno less than the same measure of protection afforded by the standard.
MSHA personnel conductedan investigation of the petition with attached diagramsfor the pump installations at the above mine and fileda report of their findingsand recommendations with the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health. After a carefulreview of the entire record, including the petition and electrical diagrams, commentsand MSHA's investigative report and recommendation, this ProposedDecision and Order is issued.
Finding of Fact and Conclusion of Law
The alternative method proposed by the Petitioner (as amended by the recommendations of MSHA investigators) will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners under30 CFR 75.507.
MSHA is requiring, for this petition only, that the surface pump controland power circuitsbe examined in accordance with 30 CFR 77.502 requirements since the control and power circuitsentering the underground portions of the mine cannot be examinedin their entirety to satisfythe requirements of 30 CFR 75.512or 30 CFR 75.364(b)(7).
On the basis of the petition and the findingsof MSHA's investigation, Consolidation Coal Companyis granted a modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.507 to its Blacksville No. 2 Mine.
ORDER
Wherefore, pursuant to the authority delegated by the Secretaryof Labor to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safetyand Health, and pursuant to Section101(c) of the FederalMine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C.,Sec. 811(c), it is orderedthat Consolidation Coal Company’s Petition for Modification of the application of 30 CFR 75.507 in the Blacksville No. 2 Mine is hereby:
GRANTED, for the use of low- and medium-voltage, three phase, alternating- currentsubmersible pump(s)installed in returnand bleeder entries and sealed areas in the Blacksville No. 2 Mine, conditioned upon compliance with the following terms and conditions:
1. The low- and medium-voltage, three phase, alternating-current electricpower circuit(s) for the pump(s)shall be designedand installed to:
a. Contain either a direct or derivedneutral wire, which must be groundedthrough a suitable resistor at the source transformer or power center and through a groundingcircuit originating at the grounded side of the grounding resistor, which must extendalong with the power conductors and serve as the groundingconductor for the frame of the pump and all associated electricequipment that may be supplied power from this circuit.The borehole casing shall be bonded to the system grounding medium;and
b. Contain a grounding resistor that limits the ground-fault current to not more than 25 amperes. The groundingresistor must be rated for the maximumfault current available and must be insulatedfrom ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system.
2. The following protection(s) for the low- and medium-voltage pump circuit(s) shall be providedby a suitablecircuit interrupting device of adequate interrupting capacity with devices to provide protection against undervoltage, grounded phase, short-circuit, and overload.
a. The under-voltage protection device shalloperate on a loss of voltage to prevent automatic re-starting of the equipment.
b. The grounded phase protection device shall be set not to exceed40 percent of the current rating of the neutral grounding resistor.
c. The short circuitprotection device shall not be set to exceed the required short circuit protection for the power cable or 75 percentof the minimum available phase-to-phase short circuit current,whichever is less.
d. The circuit(s) shall include disconnecting device(s)located on the surface and installed in conjunction with the circuit breaker(s) to provide visualevidence that the power is disconnected.
e. Pump circuit(s) shall include a fail-safeground check circuit or other no less effectivedevice approved by the Secretary as required by 30 CFR 75.902,which shall cause the circuit breaker to open when either the ground or pilot wire is broken.
f. When the pump motor, pump, and dischargepipe are connected to a common metal frame, the ground-wire monitormay be terminated on the discharge pipe at the top of the borehole.
3. The electric controlcircuit(s) for the pumps presently installed at the mine shall containa monitoring circuitthat detects a drop in the normaloperating current when air enters the pump inlet so that the pump(s) cannotrun in either the manual or automatic mode.
4. The electric controlcircuit(s) for the submersible pumps presently installedin return and bleederentries and sealed areas of the mine shall be modifiedto meet the followingrequirements when a pump or motor must be repaired or replaced:
a. The pump motor shall remainunderwater at all times
b. If the water levelis not above the pump motor,the pump shall be unableto start in eitherthe manual or the automatic mode.
c. When the waterlevel is below the low-water indicating system (bubbler or probe), the pump(s)shall cease operation.
d. The low-water indicating systemsmust consist of sensorsor transducers that are suitablefor submersible pump control application.
e. All probe circuits that are extended into the borehole shall be protectedby MSHA-approved, intrinsically safe barriers.
f. It shall be possible to test the grounded-phase protective circuitby injecting a test currentthrough the grounded-phase current transformer.
g. A remote controland monitoring systemmay be used with the pump systemfor the purpose of condition monitoring and for remote startupand shutdown control of the pumps. This system shall not allow the circuitsto be remotely reset if grounded phase, short circuit, or overload fault conditions exist on the system.
h. Splices and connections made in submersible pump cablesshall be made in a workmanlike mannerand shall meet the requirements of 30 CFR 75.604.
5. Any new submersible pumpsinstalled in returnand bleeder entries or in sealedareas of the mine after the effectivedate of this petitionshall comply with all the other terms and conditions listed in this Proposed Decisionand Order, including items 4 (a) through (h).
6. The surface pump controland power circuit(s) shall be examinedas required by 30 CFR 77.502.
7. The borehole cable to the submersible pump motor(s) must be suitable for this application and have a currentcarrying capacitynot less than 125 percent of the full load motor currentof the submersible pump motor and an outer jacket acceptedby MSHA as flame-resistant. The power cable must be supported at the entrance to the borehole and throughout its length by securing it with clamps, spacedapproximately 25 feet apart, affixedto the discharge pipe casing.
8. The pump installations must complywith all other applicable 30 CFR requirements.
9. After this petition is granted, the District Managershall be notified when any submersible pump is installed in return and bleeder entries and sealed areas of the Blacksville No. 2 Mine. The Districtshall have the opportunity to inspect the installation before the pump is put into operation.
10. Within 60 days after this Petitionfor Modification is granted,the Petitioner shall submitproposed revisions for their approved 30 CFR Part48training plan to the Coal Mine Safetyand Health DistrictManager. These proposed revisions shall specifytask training for all qualified mine electricians who perform electricwork and monthly electric examinations as required by 30 CFR 77.502 and refresher training regarding the alternative methodoutlined in the petitionand the terms and conditions stated in the ProposedDecision and Order.
The procedures of 30 CFR 48.3 for approvalof proposed revisionsto already approved training plans shall apply.
Any party to this action desiringa hearing on this mattermust file in accordance with 30 CFR 44.14, within30 days, a request with the Administrator for Coal Mine Safetyand Health, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia22209-3939.
If a hearing is requested, the requestshall contain a concisesummary of position on the issues of fact or law desiredto be raised by the party requesting the hearing, including specific objections to the proposed decision. A party other than Petitioner who has requesteda hearing shall also commentupon all issues of fact or law presented in the petition, and any party to this action requesting a hearing may indicate a desired hearingsite.
If no request for a hearingis filed within 30 days after servicethereof, the Decisionand Order will become final and must be posted by the operatoron the mine bulletin board at the mine.
John F. Langton
Deputy Administrator
for Coal Mine Safety and Health