[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 2 (Friday, January 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 420-424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-69]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification

    This notice amends a petition document listed below to include the 
mandatory safety standard. This document was published in the Federal 
Register on December 4, 1996 (61 FR 64374). The standard was 
inadvertently left out of the previous notice.

[[Page 421]]

Mountain Coal Company (Correction)

[Docket No. M-96-104-C]

    Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, Somerset, Colorado 81434 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503) 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its West Elk Mine 
(I.D. No. 05-03672) located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The 
petitioner proposes to use 1,100 feet of 2/0, type SHD-GC cable on 
continuous miners, 1,000 feet of #2, type GC cable on roof bolters, and 
1,000 feet of #2, type SHD-GC cable on auxiliary face fans. The 
petitioner states that the maximum circuit breaker instantaneous 
settings for the cables would be 1,500 amperes, 800 amperes and 800 
amperes respectively. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.
    The following parties have filed the petitions listed below to 
modify the application of mandatory safety standards under section 
101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Minton Hickory Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-143-C]

    Minton Hickory Coal Company, P.O. Box 1733, Corbin, Kentucky 40702 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.380(f)(4)(i) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Mine 
No. 9 (I.D. No. 15-17691) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to install two five pound or one ten pound portable 
fire extinguisher in the operator deck of each Mescher Tractor operated 
at the mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily accessible to the 
operator; and to have the equipment operator inspect each fire 
extinguisher daily prior to entering the escapeway. The petitioner 
asserts that this petition is based on the safety of the miners 
involved at the mine.

2. Minton Hickory Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-144-C]

    Minton Hickory Coal Company, P.O. Box 1733, Corbin, Kentucky 40702 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342 
(methane monitors) to its Mine No. 9 (I.D. No. 15-17691) located in 
Knox County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use hand-held 
continuous-duty methane and oxygen indicators instead of machine 
mounted methane monitors on three-wheel tractors with drag bottom 
buckets. The petitioner asserts that this petition is based on the 
safety of the miners involved at the mine.

3. F-M Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-145-C]

    F-M Coal Company, P.O. Box 1733, Corbin, Kentucky 40702 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342 (methane monitors) 
to its Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 15-17812) located in Knox County, Kentucky. 
The petitioner proposes to use hand-held continuous-duty methane and 
oxygen indicators instead of machine mounted methane monitors on three-
wheel tractors with drag bottom buckets. The petitioner asserts that 
this petition is based on the safety of the miners involved at the 
mine.

4. F-M Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-146-C]

    F-M Coal Company, P.O. Box 1733, Corbin, Kentucky 40702 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4)(i) 
(escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 
15-17812) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to 
install two five pound or one ten pound portable fire extinguisher in 
the operator deck of each Mescher Tractor operated at the mine; to have 
the fire extinguisher readily accessible to the operator; and to have 
the equipment operator inspect each fire extinguisher daily prior to 
entering the escapeway. The petitioner asserts that this petition is 
based on the safety of the miners involved at the mine.

5. Old Ben Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-147-C]

    Old Ben Coal Company, P.O. Box 456, Coulterville, Illinois 62237 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low- 
and medium-voltage circuits serving three-phase alternating current 
equipment; circuit breakers) to its Ziegler No. 11 Mine (I.D. No. 11-
02408) located in Randolph County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to 
use contactors capable of dropping out at 40-60 percent the voltage 
loss on belt starting equipment in the Mine's New Main East and New 
Main South Development areas instead of using undervoltage release 
breakers for undervoltage protection. The petitioner has outlined in 
the petition specific procedures to be followed when implementing its 
proposed alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. Jim Walter Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-148-C]

    Jim Walter Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 133, Brookwood, Alabama 35444 
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 No. 7 Mine (I.D. No. 01-01401) located in 
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The petitioner requests that Paragraph 9 of 
the Proposed Decision and Order for granted petition, Docket No. M-85-
09-C, be amended as follows: The high-voltage circuit from the longwall 
power center to the longwall controller shall be provided with short 
circuit protection set at not more than 2,500 amperes or the value of 
current indicated in the longwall approval plan. A time delay of not 
more than 0.25 second shall be permitted for coordination with 
downstream short-circuit protection devices or the time delay specified 
in the Longwall Approval Plan. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

7. Eighty-Four Mining Company

[Docket No. M-96-149-C

    Eighty-Four Mining Company, P.O. Box 729, Indiana, Pennsylvania 
15701 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.507 
(power connection points) to its Mine No. 84 (I.D. No. 36-00958) 
located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to 
use non-permissible submersible pumps to dewater a sump in which it is 
installed. The petitioner states that the pumps would be operated on a 
480-volt three-phase alternating-current electrical power circuit with 
power supplied from a resistor grounded wye transformer and protected 
with a line power ground fault, pilot combination unit. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

8. Eighty-Four Mining Company

[Docket No. M-96-150-C]

    Eighty-Four Mining Company, P.O. Box 729, Indiana, Pennsylvania 
15701 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.512 
(electrical equipment) to its Mine No. 84 (I.D. No. 36-00958) located 
in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use non-
permissible submersible pumps to dewater a sump in which it is 
installed. The petitioner states that the pumps would be operated on a 
480-volt three-phase alternating-

[[Page 422]]

 current electrical power circuit with power supplied from resistor 
grounded wye transformer and protected with a line power ground fault, 
pilot combination unit. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

9. Costain Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-151-C]

    Costain Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 448, Clay, Kentucky 42404 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.312(d) (main mine fan 
and examinations and records) to its Wheatcroft Mine (I.D. No. 15-
13920) and its Baker Mine (I.D. No. 15-14492) both located in Webster 
County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to test the automatic closing 
doors every thirty-one (31) days by de-energizing the operating fan 
along with simultaneously starting the idle fan and then observe the 
previously operating fan for proper operation as the previously idle 
fan powers up and maintains ventilation without materially affecting 
the system. The petitioner states that both fans would be set up with 
the same blade setting and a visual indicator that shows when the anti-
reversal doors are open or closed; and that application of the standard 
would result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

10. Road Fork Development Company

[Docket No. M-96-152-C]

    Road Fork Development Company, P.O. Box 565, Matewan, West Virginia 
25678 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Calloway Mine 
(I.D. No. 15-17252); its Pegs Branch Mine (I.D. No. 15-17541); its 
Burnwell Energy Mine (I.D. No. 15-16599); and its Extra Energy Mine 
(I.D. No. 15-15386) all located in Pike County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, spring-loaded locking 
devices to secure battery plugs on mobile equipment to prevent 
unintentional loosening of the battery plugs from battery receptacles 
and to eliminate the hazards associated with difficult removal of 
padlocks during emergency situations. The petitioner states that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

11. Boone Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-153-C]

    Boone Resources, Inc., 1051 Oak Mountain Drive, Pelham, Alabama 
35124 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 
(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Boone No. 1 Mine (I.D. 
No. 01-02908) located in Shelby County, Alabama. The petitioner 
requests a modification of the standard to permit the use of belt air 
to provide ventilation for the sections and possibly a longwall system 
in the future. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide 
monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt 
entries used as intake aircourses. The petitioner asserts that the 
terms and conditions in this petition would ensure that the high level 
of safety standards that Boone No. 1 has provided to its workforce in 
the past will be maintained.

12. Costain Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-154-C]

    Costain Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 448, Clay, Kentucky 42404 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly 
examinations) to its Smith Underground No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-16020) 
located in Webster County, Kentucky. Due to a roof fall, one of the 
seals in the 1st South seals off the South Main of the mine cannot be 
examined safely. The petitioner proposes to continuously monitor the 
air passing by the seals to determine the levels of methane, carbon 
monoxide, and oxygen. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

13. Road Fork Development Company

[Docket No. M-96-155-C]

    Road Fork Development Company, P.O. Box 565, Matewan, West Virginia 
25678 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901 
(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used 
underground) to its Calloway Mine (I.D. No. 15-17252); its Pegs Branch 
Mine (I.D. No. 15-17541); its Burnwell Energy Mine (I.D. No. 15-16599); 
and its Extra Energy Mine (I.D. No. 15-15386) all located in Pike 
County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a diesel generator to 
power mobile equipment in and out of the mines. The petitioner has 
outlined in this petition specific changes and adjustments that would 
be made to the generator set to ensure that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

14. Rawl Sales and Processing Company

[Docket No. M-96-156-C]

    Rawl Sales and Processing Company, P.O. Box 722, Matewan, West 
Virginia 25678 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.901(a) (protection for low- and medium- voltage three-phase circuits 
used underground) to its Tall Timber Mine (I.D. No. 15-13720) located 
in Pike County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a diesel 
generator to power mobile equipment in and out of the mine. The 
petitioner has outlined in this petition specific changes and 
adjustments that would be made to the generator set to ensure that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as the mandatory standard.

15. Crystal Fuels Company

[Docket No. M-96-157-C]

    Crystal Fuels Company, P.O. Box 269, Matewan, West Virginia 25678 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Mine No. 1 
(I.D. No. 46-03408) located in Mingo County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, spring-loaded locking 
devices to secure battery plugs on mobile equipment to prevent 
unintentional loosening of the battery plugs from battery receptacles 
and to eliminate the hazards associated with difficult removal of 
padlocks during emergency situations. The petitioner states that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

16. Vantage Mining Company

[Docket No. M-96-158-C]

    Vantage Mining Company, P.O. Box 780, Matewan, West Virginia has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Mine No. 1 
(I.D. No. 46-01939) located in Wayne County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, spring-loaded locking 
devices to secure battery plugs on mobile equipment to prevent 
unintentional loosening of the battery plugs from battery receptacles 
and to eliminate the hazards associated with difficult

[[Page 423]]

removal of padlocks during emergency situations. The petitioner states 
that application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety 
to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

17. Rawl Sales and Processing Company

[Docket No. M-96-159-C]

    Rawl Sales Processing Company, P.O. Box 722, Matewan, West Virginia 
25678 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Tall Timber 
Mine (I.D. No. 15-13720) located in Pike County, Kentucky. The 
petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, spring-loaded locking 
devices to secure battery plugs on mobile equipment to prevent 
unintentional loosening of the battery plugs from battery receptacles 
and to eliminate the hazards associated with difficult removal of 
padlocks during emergency situations. The petitioner states that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

18. Sycamore Fuels, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-160-C]

    Sycamore Fuels, Inc., P.O. Box 703, Matewan, West Virginia 25678 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Mine No. 1 
(I.D. No. 46-01756) located in Mingo County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, spring-loaded locking 
devices to secure battery plugs on mobile equipment to prevent 
unintentional loosening of the battery plugs from battery receptacles 
and to eliminate the hazards associated with difficult removal of 
padlocks during emergency situations. The petitioner states that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

19. Rawl Sales and Processing Company

[Docket No. M-96-161-C]

    Rawl Sales and Processing Company, P.O. Box 722, Matewan, West 
Virginia 25678 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.503 (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Rocky 
Hollow Mine (I.D. No. 46-05195) located in Mingo County, West Virginia. 
The petitioner proposes to use permanently installed, spring-loaded 
locking devices to secure battery plugs on mobile equipment to prevent 
unintentional loosening of the battery plugs from battery receptacles 
and to eliminate the hazards associated with difficult removal of 
padlocks during emergency situations. The petitioner states that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

20. Cyprus Shoshone Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-162-C]

    Cyprus Shoshone Coal Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant 
Street, 20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 has filed a petition 
to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) 
to its Shoshone No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 48-01186) located in Carbon 
County, Wyoming. The petitioner proposes to use an extendable 20-foot 
probe to take methane tests. The petitioner has outlined in this 
petition specific procedures to be followed when using its alternative 
method. The petitioner states that application of the standard would 
result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

21. Cyprus Plateau Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-163-C]

    Cyprus Plateau Mining Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant 
Street, 20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 has filed a petition 
to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362 (on-shift examination) to 
its Star Point No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 42-00171) located in Carbon County, 
Utah. The petitioner proposes to use an extendable 20-foot probe to 
take methane tests. The petitioner has outlined in this petition 
specific procedures to be followed when using its alternative method. 
The petitioner states that application of the standard would result in 
a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

22. Twentymile Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-164-C]

    Twentymile Coal Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th 
Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 has filed a petition to modify 
the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) to its 
Foidel Creek Mine (I.D. No. 05-03836) located in Routt County, 
Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use an extendable 20-foot probe to 
take methane tests. The petitioner has outlined in this petition 
specific procedures to be followed when using its alternative method. 
The petitioner states that application of the standard would result in 
a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

23. Bar-K, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-165-C]

    Bar-K, Inc., P.O. Box 8, Madison, West Virginia 25130 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible 
electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Camp Creek No. 1 Mine 
(I.D. No. 46-08523), and its Sugar Tree No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08573) 
both located in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to 
use a threaded ring and a spring loaded device on battery plug 
connectors on mobile battery-powered machines used inby the last open 
cross-cut to prevent the plug connector from accidently disengaging 
while under load instead of using a padlock. The petitioner states that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions 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 that office on or before February 3, 1997. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.


[[Page 424]]


    Dated: December 20, 1996.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 97-69 Filed 1-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P