`[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90067-90070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26435]


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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.

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SUMMARY: This notice is a summary of a petition for modification 
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by 
Buchanan Minerals, LLC.

DATES: All comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office 
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before December 16, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. MSHA-2024-
0057 by any of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments for MSHA-2024-0057.
    2. Fax: 202-693-9441.
    3. Email: [email protected].
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9440 (voice), 
[email protected] (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, Sec. Sec.  44.10 and 44.11 of 30 CFR establish the 
requirements for filing petitions for modification.

II. Petition for Modification

    Docket Number: M-2024-034-C.
    Petitioner: Buchanan Minerals, LLC, PO Drawer L, Oakwood VA 24631.
    Mine: Buchanan No.1 Mine, MSHA ID No. 44-04856, located in Buchanan 
County, Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.500(d), Permissible electric 
equipment.
    Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of 30 
CFR 75.500(d) to allow the use of an alternative method of respirable 
dust protection. Specifically, the petitioner is requesting to use a 
battery-powered respirable protection unit called the 3M Versaflo TR-
800 powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) in addition to the

[[Page 90068]]

CleanSpace EX PAPR in or inby the last open crosscut.
    The petitioner states that:
    (a) The petitioner is requesting to utilize the 3M Versaflo TR-800 
PAPR in addition to the utilization of the CleanSpace EX PAPR, which 
was approved through a previous Proposed Decision and Order (PDO) 
granted by MSHA (MSHA Docket Number M-2021-023-C).
    (b) The 3M Airstream helmet has been used in mines for over 40 
years. 3M has recently faced component disruptions for the Airstream 
product. This has caused 3M to discontinue, globally, the Airstream on 
June 1, 2020. The ability to order an Airstream system and components 
ended in February 2020, and components were available through June 
2020. Currently, there are not any available replacement PAPRs that 
meet the MSHA standard for permissibility. PAPRs provide a constant 
flow of filtered air, which offers respiratory protection and comfort 
in hot working environments. Operators that were using the Airstream, 
do not have an alternative to provide to this type of protection to its 
miners.
    (c) Buchanan Minerals, LLC, is seeking alternatives to the 3M 
Airstream helmet to provide miners with respirable protection against 
respirable coal mine and silica dust, a protection that can provide 
long-term health benefits.
    (d) Both the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPRs provide a 
constant flow of filtered air inside the half-mask, full mask or 
helmet. The airflow provides respiratory protection and comfort in hot 
working conditions. Both PAPRs shall be equipped with the following: 
Particulate protection classified as 100 series under 42 CFR part 84; 
or Particulate protection classified as High Efficiency ``HE'' under 42 
CFR part 84.
    (e) Buchanan Minerals LLC, Buchanan No.1. Mine is seeking to 
continue the use of the CleanSpace EX PAPR and applying to utilize the 
3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPR in or inby the last open crosscut.
    (f) CleanSpace EX
    (1) The CleanSpace EX is certified by TestSafe Australia (TSA) 
according to the IEC 60079-0:2011 (General Requirements) and IEC 60079-
11:2011 (Intrinsic Safety) standards. The certificate, issued to PAFtec 
Australia Pty Ltd (``PAFtec''), allows PAFtec to mark the device as 
``Ex ib IIB T4 Gb'' and ``Ex ia I Ma.'' Due to legal and regulatory 
constraints, the TSA certificate is not accepted by MSHA as evidence 
that the PAPR is approved for use in US mines. The IEC certification 
marking that applies to mining, Ex ia I Ma, is discussed below:
    (2) The CleanSpace EX is certified to be used in hazardous 
locations (``Ex''); meets the most onerous level of intrinsic safety 
protection (``ia''); the level of protection is acceptable for use in 
mining locations (``I''), and the Equipment Protection Level 
appropriate for mining equipment, that has a ``very high'' level of 
protection, with sufficient security that it is unlikely to become an 
ignition source in normal operation, during expected malfunctions or 
during rare malfunctions, even when left energized in the presence of 
an outbreak of gas (``Ma'').
    (3) NIOSH researchers, in a paper titled ``An Evaluation of the 
Relative Safety of U.S. Mining Explosion-Protected Equipment Approval 
Requirements versus those of International Standards'', have determined 
that equipment, which meets two-fault intrinsic safety as defined in 
the ANSI/UL 60079 standard, would provide at least an equivalent level 
of safety as that provided by equipment approved under MSHA criteria.
    (4) The UL certification, TSA certification, and PAFtec listing 
material (drawings, certificate and text report) were found to support 
the conclusion that the CleanSpace EX meet the applicable ``two fault'' 
intrinsic safety requirements for mining equipment as found in the 
ANSI/UL standard.
    (5) The CleanSpace EX carries an ingress protection rating of IP66. 
This rating exceeds the minimum rating of IP54 required by the ANSI/UL 
and IEC standards, for intrinsically safe mining equipment.
    (6) This product is not MSHA approved, and the manufacturer is not 
pursuing approval. The standards for the approval of this respirator 
are an accepted alternative to MSHA's standards and provide the same 
level of protection.
    (g) 3M Versaflo TR-800
    (1) The 3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPR with motor/blower and battery 
qualifies as intrinsically safe, based on reports by the International 
Electrotechnical Commission Systems for Certification to Standards 
Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx). The 
blower is UL-certified with an intrinsically safe rating of Division 1: 
Class I, II, III; Division 1: Groups C, D, E, F, G; T4 under the 
current standard of UL 60079; ATEX-certified with a rating of ``ia''. 
The 3M Versaflo TR-800 is rated and marked Ex ia I MA, Ex ia IIB T4 Ga, 
Ex ia IIIC 135oC Da; 120 [deg]C <= TA <= +55 [deg]C.
    (2) The 3M Versaflo TR-800 carries an ingress protection rating of 
IP64. This rating exceeds the minimum rating of IP54 required by the 
ANSI/UL and IEC standards for intrinsically safe mining equipment.
    (3) This product is not MSHA approved, and the manufacturer is not 
pursuing approval. The standards for the approval of this respirator 
are an accepted alternative to MSHA's standards and provide the same 
level of protection.
    (h) The alternative method will guarantee no less than the same 
measure of protection afforded the miners under the mandatory standard.
    The petitioner proposes the following alternative method:
    (a) Affected mine employees shall be trained in the proper use and 
maintenance of the PAPR(s) to be used at the mine, the 3M Versaflo TR-
800 and/or the CleanSpace EX, in accordance with established 
manufacturer guidelines. This training shall alert the affected 
employee that neither the 3M Versaflo TR-800 nor the CleanSpace EX PAPR 
is approved under 30 CFR part 18 and therefore shall be de-energized 
when 1.0 or more percent methane is detected. The training shall also 
include the proper method to de-energize these PAPRs. In addition to 
manufacturer guidelines, MSHA shall require that mine employees be 
trained to inspect the units before use to determine if there is any 
damage to the units that would negatively impact intrinsic safety as 
well as all stipulations in the PDO granted by MSHA.
    (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) The operator shall maintain a separate logbook for the 3M 
Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX PAPRs that shall 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. Since float coal dust 
is removed by the air filter prior to reaching the motor, the PAPR user 
shall conduct regular examinations of the filter and perform periodic 
testing for proper operation of the ``high filter load alarm'' on the 
3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPR, and the ``blocked filter'' alarm on the 
CleanSpace EX PAPR. Examination entries may be expunged after one year.

[[Page 90069]]

    (d) All 3M Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX PAPRs to be used in or 
inby 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, and
    (6) For equipment utilizing lithium type cells, ensure that lithium 
cells and/or packs are not damaged or swelled in size.
    (e) All CleanSpace EX PAPRs to be used in or inby 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 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 should include any indications of 
physical damage.
    (f) The operator shall ensure that all 3M Versaflo TR-800 and 
CleanSpace EX PAPR units are serviced according to the manufacturer's 
recommendations. Dates of service shall be recorded in the equipment's 
logbook and shall include a description of the work performed.
    (g) The 3M Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX PAPR units that will 
be used in or inby the last open crosscut shall not be put into service 
until MSHA has initially inspected the equipment and determined that it 
is in compliance with all the terms and conditions of the PDO granted 
by MSHA.
    (h) Prior to energizing the 3M Versaflo TR-800 or the CleanSpace EX 
PAPR in or inby the last open crosscut, methane tests shall be made in 
accordance with 30 CFR 75.323(a).
    (i) All hand-held methane detectors shall be MSHA-approved and 
maintained in permissible and proper operating condition as defined by 
30 CFR 75.320. All methane detectors shall provide visual and audible 
warnings when methane is detected in concentrations at or above 1.0 
percent.
    (j) A qualified person as defined in 30 CFR 75.151 shall 
continuously monitor for methane immediately before and during the use 
of the 3M Versaflo TR-800 or CleanSpace EX PAPR in or inby the last 
open crosscut.
    (k) Neither the 3M Versaflo TR-800 nor the CleanSpace EX PAPR shall 
be used if methane is detected in concentrations at or above 1.0 
percent. When 1.0 percent or more methane is detected while the 3M 
Versaflo TR-800 or CleanSpace EX PAPR is being used, the equipment 
shall be de-energized immediately and the equipment withdrawn outby the 
last open crosscut.
    (l) The operation and location of the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and 
CleanSpace EX PAPRs during underground blasting operations shall be 
defined in accordance with 30 CFR 75.1312(e)(1) and 75.1313(b)(1) and 
individualized underground blasting permits approved by the District 
Manager.
    (m) Only the 3M TR-830 Battery Pack shall be used, which meets 
lithium battery safety standard UL 1642 or IEC 62133, in the 3M 
Versaflo TR-800 PAPR. Use only the CleanSpace EX Power Unit, which 
meets lithium battery safety standard UL 1642 or IEC 62133, in the 
CleanSpace EX PAPR.
    (n) Before each shift when the 3M Versaflo TR-800 or CleanSpace EX 
PAPR is to be used, all batteries and power units for the equipment 
shall be charged sufficiently for the expected usage on that shift. If 
spare battery packs for the 3M Versaflo TR-800 PAPR are provided, all 
battery ``change outs'' shall occur in intake air outby the last open 
crosscut.
    (o) 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 may 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, readily monitored and located on the 
surface of the mine. The 3M TR-830 Battery Pack shall be charged only 
by a manufacturer's recommended battery charger, such as:
    (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 as per 30 CFR 75.340, or in an area 
free of combustible material, readily monitored and located on the 
surface of the mine, and only the manufacturer's recommended battery 
chargers may 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.
    (6) Neither the 3M TR-830 Battery Pack nor the CleanSpace EX PAPR's 
internal battery shall be used at the end of its life cycle (i.e., when 
there is a performance decrease of greater than 20 percent in battery-
operated equipment). The 3M TR-830 Battery Pack and the CleanSpace EX 
power unit containing the internal battery shall be disposed of 
properly.
    (p) Personnel engaged in the use of the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and 
CleanSpace EX PAPRs shall be properly trained to recognize the hazards 
and limitations associated with the use of the equipment in areas where 
methane could be present. Additionally, personnel shall be trained 
regarding proper procedures for donning self-contained self rescuers 
(SCSRs) during a mine emergency while wearing the 3M Versaflo TR-800 or 
CleanSpace EX PAPR. The mine operator shall submit proposed revisions 
to update the Mine Emergency Evacuation and Firefighting Program of 
Instruction under 30 CFR 75.1502.

[[Page 90070]]

    (q) Within 60 days after the PDO granted by MSHA becomes final, the 
operator shall submit proposed revisions for its approved 30 CFR part 
48 training plans to the Mine Safety and Health Enforcement District 
Manager. These proposed revisions shall specify initial and refresher 
training regarding the terms and conditions stated in the PDO granted 
by MSHA. When training is conducted on the terms and conditions in the 
PDO granted by MSHA, an MSHA Certificate of Training (Form 5000-23) 
shall be completed. Comments shall be included on the Certificate of 
Training indicating that the training received was for use of the 3M 
Versaflo TR-800 or the CleanSpace EX PAPR.
    (r) All personnel 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 PDO granted 
by MSHA within 60 days of the date the PDO granted by MSHA becomes 
final. Such training shall be completed before any 3M Versaflo TR-800 
or CleanSpace EX PAPR can be used in or inby the last open crosscut. 
The operator shall keep a record of such training and provide such 
record to MSHA upon request.
    (s) The operator shall provide annual retraining to all personnel 
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. The operator 
shall train new miners on the requirements of the PDO granted by MSHA 
in accordance with 30 CFR 48.5 and shall train experienced miners on 
the requirements of the PDO granted by MSHA in accordance with 30 CFR 
48.6. The operator shall keep a record of such training and provide 
such record to MSHA upon request.
    (t) 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, for a period of not less 
than 60 consecutive days.
    (u) There are no representatives of miners at Buchanan Minerals 
LLC, Buchanan No. 1 Mine. A copy of this petition has been posted on 
the bulletin board as of August 28, 2024.
    The petitioner asserts that the alternative method will guarantee 
no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners under 
the mandatory standard

Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2024-26435 Filed 11-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P`