[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44723-44724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22344]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. M-97-88-C]


Petition for Modification; Eastern Associated Coal Corporation

    Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 1233, Charleston, 
West Virginia 25324 has filed a petition to modify the application of 
30 CFR 75.380(g) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its 
Federal No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01456) located in Monogalia County, 
West Virginia. The petition is filed under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
    A summary of the petitioner's statements follows.
    1. The petition concerns the requirement that the primary escapeway 
shall be separated from belt and trolley haulage entries for its entire 
length.
    2. As an alternate method, petitioner proposes to change the 
longwall panel development to a three-entry system, using trolley wire 
in the same entry as the intake escapeway.
    3. In support of this request, petitioner states:
    (a) Air lock doors will be installed at the mouth of the section to 
separate the main track air from the section track air.
    (b) The track entry inby the airlock doors will be ventilated using 
intake air that will be introduced at the mouth of the section. This 
entry will be used as the primary escapeway off the section to the 
airlock doors at which point it will become a separate intake escapeway 
again.
    (c) The return entry on the section will be used as a secondary 
escapeway to the mouth of the section. While this entry is a section 
return, lifeline will be maintained.
    (d) A person, with mine phone communication will be stationed at a 
location between airlock doors at all times when other employees are 
inby the airlock doors. This person will be able to disconnect DC power 
to the section inby the airlock doors immediately. DC power also will 
be disconnected when not in use.
    (e) A parallel ground will be installed and maintained inby the 
airlock doors; trolley surveys will be conducted on a monthly basis; 
rail traffic entering the section inby the airlock doors will be 
provided additional firefighting materials; and trolley wire repair 
tools will be supplied.
    (f) A 62-inch clearance between the track and trolley wire will be 
maintained inby the airlock. Double insulated bells will be used for 
installing trolley wire. CO monitors will be installed in the track at 
1,000 foot intervals and automatic water sprays will be installed on 
the beltline.
    (g) Visual and audible warning devices will be installed at the end 
of the supply track to alert miners when the trolley is energized. The 
audible device will be used only when the trolley is initially 
energized and will drop off in no less than five seconds after the 
power is established.

[[Page 44724]]

    (h) If welding is necessary to bond track, the workers will be 
removed from inby the affected airsplit until welding is completed.
    (i) The section attendant will be trained to open a belt insolation 
door which will reverse airflow on the belt in the inby direction, in 
the event that smoke enters the track entry inby the airlock doors, 
thus providing a separate and isolated intake split of air to the face.
    (j) Section self-rescuers will be maintained in the belt entry, 
outby the section dumping point.
    4. Petitioner states that the proposed alternate method will assure 
no less protection to the miners than under 30 CFR 75.380(g).

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in this petition may furnish written comments. 
These comments must be filed with the Office of Standards, Regulations, 
and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 627, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be 
postmarked or received in this office on or before September 22, 1997. 
Copies of this petition are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: August 18, 1997.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 97-22344 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P