Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 193 / Friday, October 4, 2024 / Notices 80953 

Peabody is not aware of any other radio 

which is economically feasible. 

(e) Peabody seeks modification of 30 

CFR 75.1002(a) as it applies to use of 

low voltage battery-powered nonpermissible radios. It intends to use the 

following equipment: 

(1) Motorola R–7 Portable Two-Way 

Radio. Other safe portable radios may 

subsequently be used if approved in 

advance by the MSHA District Manager. 

(f) Peabody mines utilize the 

continuous miner method of mining. 

Some sections utilize two continuous 

miners and use of the radios permits 

coordination of the coal haulers and 

between the two continuous miners as 

well as communication near pillar and 

sealed area workings. 

(g) Effective communication is critical 

to the safety of the miners at the mine. 

It reduces the potential for collisions 

and pedestrian accidents and facilitates 

communication in an emergency. 

(h) The alternative method proposed 

in the petition will at all times 

guarantee no less than the same measure 

of protection afforded by the standard. 

The petitioner proposes the following 

alternative method: 

(a) Non-permissible intrinsically safe 

radios to be used include the Motorola 

R7 Portable Two-Way Radio. 

(b) All such radios shall be rated IP 66 

or higher. 

(c) All non-permissible radios used 

within 150 feet of pillar workings or 

longwall faces will be examined by a 

qualified person as defined in 30 CFR 

75.153 prior to use to ensure the 

equipment is being maintained in a safe 

operating condition. These 

examinations results shall be recorded 

in the weekly examination book and 

will be made available to MSHA and the 

miners at the mine. 

(d) A qualified person as defined in 

30 CFR 75.151 shall continuously 

monitor for methane immediately before 

and during the use of non-permissible 

radios used within 150 feet of pillar 

workings or longwall faces. 

(e) Non-permissible radios shall not 

be used if methane is detected in 

concentrations at or above one percent. 

When one percent or more methane is 

detected while the non-permissible 

radios are being used, the radios shall be 

de-energized immediately by turning 

them off and withdrawn from the area. 

(f) All hand-held methane detectors 

shall be MSHA approved and 

maintained in permissible and proper 

operating condition as defined in 30 

CFR 75.320. Each miner using a radio 

shall be trained in the use of handheld 

methane details. 

(g) All radios shall be used in 

accordance with the safe use procedures 

recommended by the manufacturer. 

(h) Personnel who use nonpermissible radios shall be properly 

trained to recognize the hazards and 

limitations associated with use of the 

equipment. 

(i) The radio battery is designed to last 

more than the length of a shift. The 

radio shall not be charged underground 

and shall be charged on the surface in 

accordance with the procedure for other 

battery-operated devices such as 

methane detectors. 

(j) The operator shall post the PDO 

granted by MSHA in unobstructed 

locations on the bulletin boards and/or 

in other conspicuous places where 

notices to miners are ordinarily posted, 

at all the mines for which the PDO 

granted by MSHA applies, for a period 

of not less than 60 consecutive days and 

a copy shall be made available to all 

miners’ representatives. 

(k) The proposed radios will be 

available for inspection and testing 

during MSHA’s investigation. As other 

radios are acquired, if the petition is 

granted, such radios shall be made 

available for MSHA inspection. The 

radios shall be made available for 

MSHA testing during the investigation. 

(l) The Motorola radio is rated IP 66 

and IP 68. It is powered by a lithium 

cell. Two such radios have been 

purchased by Peabody and are available 

at Gateway North for examination and 

testing by MSHA. Peabody has not, 

itself, tested such radios because it is 

presumed that MSHA will intend to 

conduct tests at the mine and would be 

unlikely to accept Peabody’s results. 

(m) The miners at Gateway North 

Mine are not currently represented by a 

labor organization and this petition is 

posted at the mine. 

In support of the proposed alternative 

method, the petitioner has also 

submitted manufacturer product 

specification sheets for MSHA-approved 

permissible radios indicating they are 

no longer available and manufacturer 

product specification sheets for the 

proposed Motorola R–7 Portable TwoWay Radio. 

The petitioner asserts that the 

alternative method in the petition will 

at all times guarantee no less than the 

same measure of protection afforded to 

the miners by the standard. 

Song-ae Aromie Noe, 

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, 

and Variances. 

[FR Doc. 2024–22919 Filed 10–3–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4520–43–P 

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

Mine Safety and Health Administration 

Petition for Modification of Application 

of Existing Mandatory Safety 

Standards 

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health 

Administration, Labor. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice is a summary of 

a petition for modification submitted to 

the Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) by Gibson 

County Coal, LLC. 

DATES: All comments on the petition 

must be received by MSHA’s Office of 

Standards, Regulations, and Variances 

on or before November 4, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by Docket No. MSHA–2024– 

0037 by any of the following methods: 

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments 

for MSHA–2024–0037. 

2. Fax: 202–693–9441. 

3. Email: petitioncomments@dol.gov. 

4. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: 

MSHA, Office of Standards, 

Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th 

Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, 

Virginia 22202–5452. 

Attention: S. Aromie Noe, Director, 

Office of Standards, Regulations, and 

Variances. Persons delivering 

documents are required to check in at 

the receptionist’s desk, 4th Floor West. 

Individuals may inspect copies of the 

petition and comments during normal 

business hours at the address listed 

above. Before visiting MSHA in person, 

call 202–693–9455 to make an 

appointment, in keeping with the 

Department of Labor’s COVID–19 

policy. Special health precautions may 

be required. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. 

Aromie Noe, Office of Standards, 

Regulations, and Variances at 202–693– 

9440 (voice), Petitionsformodification@

dol.gov (email), or 202–693–9441 (fax). 

[These are not toll-free numbers.] 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 

101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and 

Health Act of 1977 and title 30 of the 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 

44 govern the application, processing, 

and disposition of petitions for 

modification. 

I. Background 

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine 

Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine 

Act) allows the mine operator or 

representative of miners to file a 

petition to modify the application of any 


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80954 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 193 / Friday, October 4, 2024 / Notices 

mandatory safety standard to a coal or 

other mine if the Secretary of Labor 

determines that: 

1. An alternative method of achieving 

the result of such standard exists which 

will at all times guarantee no less than 

the same measure of protection afforded 

the miners of such mine by such 

standard; or 

2. The application of such standard to 

such mine will result in a diminution of 

safety to the miners in such mine. 

In addition, sections 44.10 and 44.11 

of 30 CFR establish the requirements for 

filing petitions for modification. 

II. Petition for Modification 

Docket Number: M–2024–015–C. 

Petitioner: Gibson County Coal, LLC, 

3455 S 700 W, Owensville, IN 47665. 

Mine: Gibson South Mine, MSHA ID 

No. 12–02388, located in Gibson 

County, Indiana. 

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507– 

1(a), Permissible electric equipment. 

Modification Request: The petitioner 

requests a modification of 30 CFR 

75.507–1(a) to allow the use of 

unapproved Powered Air Purifying 

Respirators (PAPRs) taken into or used 

inby the last open crosscut or used in 

the return air outby the last open 

crosscut. Specifically, the Petitioner is 

requesting to utilize the CleanSpace EX 

PAPR and sealed motor/blower/battery 

power pack assembly, and the 3M 

Versaflo TR–800 Intrinsically Safe PAPR 

motor/blower and battery with battery 

pack. 

The petitioner states that: 

(a) The 3M Versaflo TR–800 PAPR 

with motor/blower and battery qualifies 

as intrinsically safe. 

(b) The CleanSpace EX PAPR also 

qualifies as intrinsically safe. 

(c) Both the CleanSpace EX and the 

3M Versaflo TR–800 PAPRs provide a 

constant flow of air inside the mask or 

helmet. This airflow provides 

respiratory protection and comfort in 

hot working conditions. 

(d) Neither the 3M Versaflo TR–800 

nor the CleanSpace EX PAPR is MSHAapproved as permissible. 

(e) Neither the 3M nor the CleanSpace 

is pursuing MSHA approval. 

(f) Gibson County Coal, LLC, Gibson 

South Mine, currently makes available 

to all miners NIOSH-approved high 

efficiency l00 series respirators to 

protect the miners against potential 

exposure to respirable coal mine dust, 

including crystalline silica, during 

normal mining conditions. Gibson 

County Coal, LLC, Gibson South Mine, 

desires to expand the miners’ option in 

choosing a respirator that provides the 

greatest degree of protection as well as 

comfort while being worn. Powered 

PAPRs provide a constant flow of 

filtered air and serve that purpose. 

(g) On June 17, 2024, MSHA finalized 

the rule Lowering Miners’ Exposure to 

Respirable Crystalline Silica and 

Improving Respiratory Protection. The 

rule requires the mine operator to have 

a written respiratory protection program 

in place when miners are required to 

use respirators. Adding the CleanSpace 

EX and the 3M TR–800 Versaflo PAPRs 

to the respiratory protection program as 

additional options will provide the 

miners with alternatives to the series 

100 high efficiency respirators already 

in use at the mine. The PAPRs will also 

serve as a respirator option to protect 

the miners with facial hair who may not 

be able to pass the ‘‘fit test’’ requirement 

of the program. In addition, the positive 

flow of filtered air provided by the 

PAPRs will provide a solution for the 

miners who are unable to wear a tightfitting respirator. 

(h) Since the 3M Airstream HeadgearMounted PAPR System has been 

discontinued by the manufacturer, there 

are no other MSHA-approved units 

available that can be taken into or used 

inby the last open crosscut or used in 

the return air outby the last open 

crosscut. 

(i) The alternative method in the 

petition will at all times guarantee no 

less than the same measure of protection 

afforded to the miners by the standard. 

The petitioner proposes the following 

alternative method: 

(a) All miners who will be involved 

with or affected by the use of the 3M 

Versaflo TR–800 or CleanSpace EX 

PAPRs shall receive training in 

accordance with 30 CFR 48.7 on the 

requirements of the Proposed Decision 

and Order (PDO) granted by MSHA and 

manufacturer guidelines. Such training 

shall be completed before any 3M 

Versaflo TR–800 or CleanSpace EX 

PAPR can be used inby the last open 

crosscut or in the return air outby the 

last open crosscut. The operator shall 

keep a record of such training and 

provide such record to MSHA upon 

request. 

(b) The PAPRs, battery packs, all 

associated wiring and connections shall 

be inspected before use to determine if 

there is any damage to the units that 

would negatively impact intrinsic 

safety. If any defects are found, the 

PAPR shall be removed from service. 

(c) A separate logbook shall be 

maintained for the 3M Versaflo TR–800 

and CleanSpace EX PAPRs that will be 

kept with the equipment, or in a 

location with other mine record books 

and shall be made available to MSHA 

upon request. The equipment shall be 

examined at least weekly by a qualified 

person as defined in 30 CFR 75.512–1 

and the examination results recorded in 

the logbook. Examination records shall 

be maintained for one year. 

(d) All 3M Versaflo TR–800 and 

CleanSpace EX PAPRs to be used inby 

the last open crosscut or in the return 

air outby the last open crosscut shall be 

physically examined prior to initial use 

and each unit shall be assigned a unique 

identification number. Each unit shall 

be examined by the person to operate 

the equipment prior to taking the 

equipment underground to ensure the 

equipment is used according to the 

original equipment manufacturer’s 

recommendations and maintained in a 

safe operating condition. The 

examinations for the 3M Versaflo TR– 

800 PAPRs shall include: 

(1) Check the equipment for any 

physical damage and the integrity of the 

case. 

(2) Remove the battery and inspect for 

corrosion. 

(3) Inspect the contact points to 

ensure a secure connection to the 

battery. 

(4) Reinsert the battery and power up 

and shut down to ensure proper 

connections. 

(5) Check the battery compartment 

cover or battery attachment to ensure 

that it is securely fastened. 

(6) For equipment utilizing lithium 

type cells, ensure that lithium cells and/ 

or packs are not damaged or swelled in 

size. 

The CleanSpace EX PAPR does not 

have an accessible/removable battery. 

The internal battery and motor/blower 

assembly are both contained within the 

‘‘power unit’’ assembly and the battery 

cannot be removed, reinserted or 

fastened. Therefore, examination of the 

CleanSpace EX PAPR shall include any 

indications of physical damage. 

(e) All 3M Versaflo TR–800 and 

CleanSpace EX PAPR units shall be 

serviced according to the manufacturer’s 

recommendations. 

(f) Prior to energizing and during use 

of the 3M Versaflo TR–800 or the 

CleanSpace EX PAPR inby the last open 

crosscut or in the return air outby the 

last open crosscut, procedures in 

accordance with 30 CFR 75.323 shall be 

followed. 

(g) Only the 3M TR–830 Battery Pack, 

which meets lithium battery safety 

standard UL 1642 or IEC 62133, in the 

3M Versaflo TR–800 PAPR shall be 

used. Only the CleanSpace EX Power 

Unit, which meets lithium battery safety 

standard UL 1642 or IEC 62133, in the 

CleanSpace EX shall be used. 

(h) If battery packs for the 3M Versaflo 

TR–800 PAPR are provided, all battery 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 193 / Friday, October 4, 2024 / Notices 80955 

‘‘change outs’’ shall occur in intake air 

outby the last open crosscut. 

(i) The following maintenance and 

use conditions shall apply to equipment 

containing lithium type batteries: 

(1) Neither the 3M TR–830 Battery 

Pack nor the CleanSpace EX Power Unit 

shall be disassembled nor modified by 

anyone other than permitted by the 

manufacturer of the equipment. 

(2) The 3M TR–830 Battery Pack shall 

be charged only in an area free of 

combustible material and in intake air 

outby the last open crosscut. The 3M 

TR–830 Battery Pack shall be charged 

only by a manufacturer’s recommended 

battery charger, such as the: 

(i) 3M Battery Charger Kit TR–641N, 

which includes one 3M Charger Cradle 

TR–640 and one 3M Power Supply TR– 

941N, or, 

(ii) 3M 4-Station Battery Charger Kit 

TR–644N, which includes four 3M 

Charger Cradles TR–640 and one 3M 4- 

Station Battery Charger Base/Power 

Supply TR–944N. 

(3) The CleanSpace EX internal 

battery, which is contained within the 

power unit assembly, shall be charged 

in areas located outby the last open 

crosscut in intake air and only the 

manufacturer’s recommended battery 

chargers shall be used, such as the 

CleanSpace EX Battery Charger, Product 

Code PAF–0066. 

(4) Neither the 3M TR–830 Battery 

Pack nor the CleanSpace EX power unit 

which contains the internal battery, 

shall be exposed to water, allowed to get 

wet or immersed in liquid. This does 

not preclude incidental exposure of the 

3M TR–830 Battery Pack or the 

CleanSpace EX power unit assembly. 

(5) Neither the 3M Versaflo TR–800 

PAPR nor the CleanSpace EX PAPR, 

including the internal battery, shall be 

used, charged or stored in locations 

where the manufacturer’s recommended 

temperature limits are exceeded. 

Neither the 3M Versaflo TR–800 PAPR 

nor the CleanSpace EX PAPR shall be 

placed in direct sunlight nor stored near 

a source of heat. 

(j) Annual retraining shall be given to 

all miners who will be involved with or 

affected by the use of the 3M Versaflo 

TR–800 or CleanSpace EX PAPRs in 

accordance with 30 CFR 48.8. Training 

of new miners on the requirements of 

the PDO granted by MSHA in 

accordance with 30 CFR 48.5, and 

training of experienced miners on the 

requirements of the PDO granted by 

MSHA in accordance with 30 CFR 48.6 

shall be given. The operator shall keep 

a record of such training and provide 

such record to MSHA upon request. 

(k) The miners at Gibson County Coal, 

LLC, Gibson South Mine, are not 

represented by a labor organization and 

there are no representatives of miners at 

the mine. A copy of this petition has 

been posted on the bulletin board at 

Gibson County Coal, LLC, Gibson South 

Mine, on August 30, 2024. 

The petitioner asserts that the 

alternative method in the petition will 

at all times guarantee no less than the 

same measure of protection afforded to 

the miners by the standard. 

Song-ae Aromie Noe, 

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, 

and Variances. 

[FR Doc. 2024–22928 Filed 10–3–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4520–43–P 

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

Mine Safety and Health Administration 

Petition for Modification of Application 

of Existing Mandatory Safety 

Standards 

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health 

Administration, Labor. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice is a summary of 

a petition for modification submitted to 

the Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) by Warrior 

Coal, LLC. 

DATES: All comments on the petition 

must be received by MSHA’s Office of 

Standards, Regulations, and Variances 

on or before November 4, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by Docket No. MSHA–2024– 

0039 by any of the following methods: 

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments 

for MSHA–2024–0039. 

2. Fax: 202–693–9441. 

3. Email: petitioncomments@dol.gov. 

4. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: 

MSHA, Office of Standards, 

Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th 

Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, 

Virginia 22202–5452. 

Attention: S. Aromie Noe, Director, 

Office of Standards, Regulations, and 

Variances. Persons delivering 

documents are required to check in at 

the receptionist’s desk, 4th Floor West. 

Individuals may inspect copies of the 

petition and comments during normal 

business hours at the address listed 

above. Before visiting MSHA in person, 

call 202–693–9455 to make an 

appointment, in keeping with the 

Department of Labor’s COVID–19 

policy. Special health precautions may 

be required. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. 

Aromie Noe, Office of Standards, 

Regulations, and Variances at 202–693– 

9440 (voice), Petitionsformodification@

dol.gov (email), or 202–693–9441 (fax). 

[These are not toll-free numbers.] 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 

101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and 

Health Act of 1977 and title 30 of the 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 

44 govern the application, processing, 

and disposition of petitions for 

modification. 

I. Background 

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine 

Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine 

Act) allows the mine operator or 

representative of miners to file a 

petition to modify the application of any 

mandatory safety standard to a coal or 

other mine if the Secretary of Labor 

determines that: 

1. An alternative method of achieving 

the result of such standard exists which 

will at all times guarantee no less than 

the same measure of protection afforded 

the miners of such mine by such 

standard; or 

2. The application of such standard to 

such mine will result in a diminution of 

safety to the miners in such mine. 

In addition, sections 44.10 and 44.11 

of 30 CFR establish the requirements for 

filing petitions for modification. 

II. Petition for Modification 

Docket Number: M–2024–017–C. 

Petitioner: Warrior Coal, LLC, 57 J. E. 

Ellis Road, Madisonville, KY 42431. 

Mine: Cardinal Mine, MSHA ID No. 

15–17216, located in Hopkins County, 

Kentucky. 

Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507– 

1(a), Permissible electric equipment. 

Modification Request: The petitioner 

requests a modification of 30 CFR 

75.507–1(a) to allow the use of 

unapproved Powered Air Purifying 

Respirators (PAPRs) taken into or used 

inby the last open crosscut or used in 

the return air outby the last open 

crosscut. Specifically, the Petitioner is 

requesting to utilize the CleanSpace EX 

PAPR and sealed motor/blower/battery 

power pack assembly, and the 3M 

Versaflo TR–800 Intrinsically Safe PAPR 

motor/blower and battery with battery 

pack. 

The petitioner states that: 

(a) The 3M Versaflo TR–800 PAPR 

with motor/blower and battery qualifies 

as intrinsically safe. 

(b) The CleanSpace EX PAPR also 

qualifies as intrinsically safe. 

(c) Both the CleanSpace EX and the 

3M Versaflo TR–800 PAPRs provide a 

constant flow of air inside the mask or 

helmet. This airflow provides 

respiratory protection and comfort in 

hot working conditions. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES