July 21, 1999
In the matter of
International Uranium (USA) Corporation Sunday Mine Complex
l.D. No. 05-01197
Petition for Modification
Docket No. M-98-08-M
Proposed Decision and Order on Petition for Modification Background
On December 28, 1998, The International Uranium (USA) Corporation filed a petition for modification of 30 CFR §57.14130(a)(4), roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts for surface equipment, to petitioner's Sunday Mine Complex, (1.D. No. 05-01197), located in Dolores County, Colorado. The mine is an underground uranium operation using the stope and cross-cut method to recover the ore.
The relevant standard 30 CFR §57.14130, roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts, provides:
(a) Equipment included. Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts shall be installed on-----
(4) The tractor portion of semi-mounted scrapers, dumpers, water wagons, bottom-dump wagons, rear-dump wagons, and towed fifth wheel attachments;
The Petitioner uses Elmac semi-mounted dumpers to haul material in the underground sections of its mine. This equipment is also driven out of the portal and operated at the surface areas of the mine. The petitioner has proposed implementing traffic procedures in lieu of providing articulated semi-mounted dumpers with seat belts and rollover protection. The petitioner has proposed restricting the speed of the trucks to five miles per hour and demarcating the surface area traveled by the trucks as a "no travel zone" for unauthorized surface mining equipment. The petitioner also proposed requiring these haul unit operators to come to a "rolling stop" when exiting the mine portal, and visually survey the travel route before proceeding. The petitioner alleged that the proposed alternative method of implementing traffic controls instead of installing (ROPS) and seat belts on the haulage units would provide protection equal to the standard.
On March 17, 1999, MSHA investigators conducted an investigation relevant to the merits of the petition and filed a report of their findings and recommendations with the Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health. After a careful review of the entire record, including the petition and MSHA's investigative report and recommendations, this Proposed Decision and Order is issued.
Findings of Fact and Conclusion of Law
30 CFR §57.14130(a)(4) requires that ROPS and seat belts be installed on specific mobile equipment. The petitioner asserts that the ROPS and seat belts are not necessary since the haulage units travel in areas that are completely flat and free of obstacles. The investigation revealed that the haulage units had been operated on a stockpile of low grade material with an elevated road of approximately 18% grade. The petition did not address the travel on this stockpile. The superintendent stated that the haulage units would dump at the toe of the pile.
Additionally, the petitioner asserted that by reducing the speed of the haulage units to 5mph, demarcating the area traveled by the trucks as a "no travel zone," and coming to a "rolling stop" exiting the mine, would eliminate the potential for a collision or rollover type accident. The petitioner's use of the proposed traffic controls does not offer the same level of protection as the ROPS and seat belts. The engineered protections to the miners as compliance with the standard.
ORDER
Wherefore, pursuant to the authority delegated by the Secretary of Labor to the Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal and pursuant to Section lOl(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C., Section 811(c), it is ordered that modification of the application of 30 CFR 57.11050 to the Lamefoot Mine as it pertains to using refuse chambers in lieu of a secondary escapeway out of the mine, is hereby DENIED.
Any party to this action desiring a hearing must file a request for hearing within 30 days after service of the Proposed Decision and Order, in accordance with 30 CFR.44.14, with the Administrator of Metal.and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health, 201 12th Street South, Suite 401, Arlington, VA 22202-5450.
If a hearing is requested, the reqest shall contain a concise summary of position on the issues of fact or law desired to be raised by the party requesting the hearing, inc!uding specific objections to the Proposed Decision and Order. A party other than the petitioner who requested a hearing shall also comment upon all itsues of fact or law presented in the petition. 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, this Proposed Decision and Order will become final and must be posted by the operator on the mine bulletin board at the mine.
Earnest C. Teaster, Jr.
Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health