Safety standard petitions: Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, et al.,

[Federal Register: July 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 145)]

[Notices]

[Page 41139-41140]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr29jy99-100]

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Petitions for Modification

The following parties have filedpetitions to modify the application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

   [Docket No. M-1999-049-C]

   Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, PO Box 1029, Wellington, Utah 84542 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Dugout Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01890) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use belt air to ventilate faces in areas of the mine where two entry mining system is not used. The petitioner proposes to install a low- level carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt entries used as intake air courses. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

2. Coal Miners, Inc.

   [Docket No. M-1999-050-C]

   Coal Miners, Inc., 999 Barrett Cemetery Road, Equality, Illinois 62934 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Eagle Valley Mine (I.D. No. 11-02846) located in Gallatin County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory standard to permit the use of air coursed through belt haulage entries to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire detection system in the supply road with branches extended to the beltline at certain locations. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

3. Meadow Branch Mining Corporation

   [Docket No. M-1999-051-C]

   Meadow Branch Mining Corporation, PO Box 2560, Wise, Virginia 24293 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1 (canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face equipment; installation requirements) to its Low Splint No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 44-06883) located in Wise County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes to operate electric face equipment without canopies in coal seam heights of 37 to 43 inches. The petitioner states that: (i) Mining conditions cause the canopies to come in contact with the roof, damaging the canopy and destroying roof support; (ii) canopies restrict the visibility of the equipment operators, creating a hazard in the operation of the equipment and for the people crawling and walking on the section; and (iii) the relief requested would not result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

4. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

   [Docket No. M-1999-052-C]

   West Ridge Resources, Inc., PO Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water sprinkler system; arrangement of sprinklers) to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a variance from the mandatory standard to permit a different arrangement of water sprinkler systems than established by the standard. The petitioner proposes to: (i) Use a single overhead pipe system with \1/2\-inch orifice automatic sprinklers located on 10-foot centers rather than every 8 feet, to cover 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet of non-fire resistant belt with actuation temperatures between 200 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit and with water pressure equal to or greater than 10 psi; and (ii) have the automatic sprinklers located not more than 10 feet apart so that the discharge of water will extend over the belt drive, belt take-up, electrical control, and gear reducing unit. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard and will not result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

5. West Ridge Resources, Inc.

   [Docket No. M-1999-053-C]

   West Ridge Resources, Inc., PO Box 902, Price, Utah 84501 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables and transformers) to its West Ridge Mine (I.D. No. 42-02233) located in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use a nominal voltage of longwall power circuits not to exceed 2,400 volts to supply power to the permissible longwall mining equipment. The petitioner has listed in this petition specific terms and conditions for using its proposed alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard and will not result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

6. Consolidation Coal Company

   [Docket No. M-1999-054-C]

   Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Rend Lake Mine (I.D. No. 11-00601) located in Jefferson County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory standard so that individual service brakes would not be required on all grader wheels of the diesel grader. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

7. Consolidation Coal Company

   [Docket No. M-1999-055-C]

   Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly examination) to its Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-01436) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. Due to deteriorating roof and rib conditions, the petitioner proposes to establish check points to examine the affected area instead of traveling the area in its entirety. The petitioner states that: (i) A weekly examination would be made for methane and a smoke tube would be used to verify direction of air flow; (ii) the persons making examinations and tests would place his/her initials, the date and time in a record book provided on the surface and made available for inspection for interested parties; and (iii) checks points and all approaches to the check points would be maintained in safe condition. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same

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   measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

8. Monterey Coal Company

   [Docket No. M-1999-056-C]

   Monterey Coal Company, 14300 Brushy Mound Road, Carlinville, Illinois 62626 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance requirements) to its No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 11-00726) located in Macoupin County, Illinois. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory standard for its grader. The petitioner states that to add brakes on the grader would result in loss of machine control for the operators and the weight, size, and location of the front brakes would subject repair personnel to injury. As an alternative method, the petition proposes to lower the blade to stop and control the grader. The petitioner asserts that its alternative method will provide no less than the same measure of protection provided by the mandatory standard.

9. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

   [Docket No. M-1999-057-C]

   Canyon Fuel Company, 397 South 800 West, Salina, Utah 84654 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360(b)(9) (preshift examination) to its SUFCO Mine (I.D. No. 42-00089) located in Sevier County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to install an Atmospheric Monitoring System (AMS) that would continuously monitor the electrical installations for carbon monoxide and methane instead of conducting a preshift examination. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

10. Knott County Mining Company

    [Docket No. M-1999-058-C]

    Knott County Mining Company, P.O. Box 2805, Pikeville, Kentucky 41502 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low-and medium-voltage circuits serving current equipment; circuit breakers) to its Panther Lick Mine (I.D. No. 15-16808) located in Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the mandatory standard to permit use of contactors for undervoltage protection as an alternative to using circuit breakers. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific procedures, including personnel training, that would be implemented when using the proposed alternative method. The petitioner asserts that safety of miners would not be compromised and that proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

11. Independence Coal Company, Inc.

    [Docket No. M-1999-059-C]

    Independence Coal Company, Inc., HC 78, Box 1800, Madison, West Virginia 25130 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables and transformers) to its Cedar Grove Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46- 08603) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use 4,160 volts to supply power to the permissible longwall face equipment, using specific terms and conditions listed in this petition. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

12. Peabody Coal Company

    [Docket No. M-1999-060-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, 1951 Barrett Court, PO Box 1990, Henderson, Kentucky 42430 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Marissa Mine (I.D. No. 11-02440) located in Washington County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to: (i) Use its grader underground with rear wheel brakes only; (ii) limit the diesel grader speed to a maximum of 10 miles per hour; and (iii) train grader operators to drop the grader blade in the event the brakes fail instead of using front wheel brakes on the grader. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

13. Performance Coal Company

    [Docket No. M-1999-061-C]

    Performance Coal Company, PO Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140 has fileda petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables and transformers) to its Upper Big Branch Mine-South (I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a nominal voltage of power circuits not to exceed 2,400 volts to supply power to high-voltage continuous miner located inby the last open crosscut or within 150 feet from pillar workings. The petitioner has listed in this petition specific terms and conditions for using its proposed alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

    Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit comments via e-mail to ``comments@msha.gov,'' or on a computer disk along with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be postmarked or received in that office on or before August 30, 1999. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: July 22, 1999. Carol J. Jones, Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.

    [FR Doc. 99-19404Filed7-28-99; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4510-43-P