[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21831-21832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10850]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification

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

1. KenAmerican Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-53-C]

    KenAmerican Resources, Inc., 7590 Highway 181, Central City, 
Kentucky 42330 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.213 (roof support removal) to its Paradise No. 11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-
17606) located in Wayne County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a 
modification of the standard to permit the removal of loose roof bolts 
where massive self-supporting limestone roof is exposed. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

2. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-54-C]

    CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc., Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 has filed a petition to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water sprinkler systems; arrangement 
of sprinklers) to its Indian Gap Mine--Hz4 (I.D. No. 15-17652) located 
in Letcher County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a single 
overhead pipe system with \1/2\-inch orifice automatic sprinklers 
located on 10-foot centers, to cover 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 
150 feet of non-fire resistant belt, with actuation temperatures 
between 200 degrees and 230 degrees fahrenheit and with water pressure 
equal to or greater than 10 psi. The sprinklers would be located not 
more than 10 feet apart, so that the discharge of water would extend 
over the belt drive, belt take-up, electrical control, and gear 
reducing unit. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

3. Mountain Valley Management, Inc. T/A Bucket Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-55-C]

    Mountain Valley Management, Inc., T/A Bucket Coal Company, 1021 
Chestnut Street, Pottsville, Pennsylvania 17901 has filed a petition to 
modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 (construction of seals) to its 
Heather Mine (I.D. No. 36-07903) located in Schuylkill County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to 
permit alternative methods of seal construction using wooden materials 
of moderate size and weight due to the difficulty in accessing 
previously driven headings and breasts containing inaccessible 
abandoned workings; to accept a design criterion in the 10 psi range; 
and to permit the water trap to be installed in the gangway seal and 
sampling tube in the monkey seal for seals installed in pairs. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

4. Kerr-McGee Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-95-56-C]

    Kerr-McGee Coal Corporation, Caller Box 3013, Gillette, Wyoming 
82717 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.402 
(hand-held power tools; safety devices) to its Jacobs Ranch Mine (I.D. 
No. 48-00997) located in Campbell County, Wyoming. The petitioner 
proposes to use gas-powered chain saws with a trigger latch to start 
the saw and to follow all other manufacturer's instructions. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

5. D.G.W. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-57-C]

    D.G.W. Coal Company, R.D. #2, Box 425-B-2, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 
17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 
(construction of seals) to its No. 7 Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-07093) 
located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The 
[[Page 21832]] petitioner requests a modification of the standard to 
permit alternative methods of seal construction using wooden materials 
of moderate size and weight due to the difficulty in accessing 
previously driven headings and breasts containing inaccessible 
abandoned workings; to accept a design criterion in the 10 psi range; 
and to permit the water trap to be installed in the gangway seal and 
sampling tube in the monkey seal for seals installed in pairs. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

6. Black Gem Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-58-C]

    Black Gem Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 1257, Pikeville, Kentucky 41502 
has filed petitions to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710 
(canopies or cabs; electric face equipment) to its No. 3 Mine (I.D. No. 
15-12303) located in Floyd County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to 
operate its C X 2 S & S Scoop without a canopy due to the height of 
this equipment, which is 54 inches with canopy, and the height of the 
seam varies from 40 inches to 60 inches. The petitioner states that 
installation of a canopy on the equipment would result in a diminution 
of safety to the equipment operator.

7. McElroy Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-59-C]

    McElroy Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 has filed petitions to modify the 
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its McElroy 
Mine (I.D. No. 46-01437) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. Due 
to deteriorating roof and rib conditions in the return entry of the new 
section adjacent to the bottom of the Belt Slope in the oldest portion 
of the mine, physically traveling the area on a weekly basis would be 
unsafe. The petitioner proposes establish checking stations A and B to 
monitor for methane and the quantity of air in the affected area; to 
have a certified person check each station on a weekly basis and record 
the result in a book kept on the surface and made available for 
inspection by interested persons; to conduct an immediate investigation 
of the affected area by the mine foreman and record the results in a 
book located on the surface if at any time the quantity of air at 
either checking station indicates a change of ten (10) percent or a 0.5 
percent increase in methane; to include the checking stations in the 
Ventilation Plan with the location of air readings shown on the 
ventilation map; and to examine the stopping line along the track entry 
on a weekly basis. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

8. Mystic Energy, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-60-C]

    Mystic Energy, Inc., 130 George Street, Suite J, Beckley, West 
Virginia 25801 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.503 (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its 
Candice 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08429) located in Boone County, West 
Virginia. The petitioner proposes to replace a padlock on battery plug 
connectors on mobile battery-powered machines used inby the last open 
cross-cut with a threaded ring and a spring loaded device to prevent 
the plug connector from accidently disengaging while under load; to 
provide a warning tag that states ``Do Not Disengage Plugs Under Load'' 
on all battery plug connectors on battery-powered machines using the 
alternative method; and to instruct all persons who are required to 
operate or maintain the battery-operated machines on safe work 
practices and procedures. 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.

9. AMAX Coal West, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-61-C]

    AMAX Coal West, Inc., P.O. 3040, Gillette, Wyoming 82717-3040 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.1304(a) 
(blasting agents; special provisions) to its Eagle Butte Mine (I.D. No. 
48-01078) located in Campbell County, Wyoming. The petitioner proposes 
to use petroleum-based lubrication oils, recycled from equipment used 
at its mine for blending with fuel oil for the purpose of creating 
ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) for use as a blasting agent at its 
surface coal mine. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

10. Pen Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-95-62-C]

    Pen Coal Corporation, Route 1, Box 191, Dunlow, West Virginia 25511 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Devilstrace 
N. 3 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08470) located in Wayne County, West Virginia. 
The petitioner proposes to replace a padlock on battery plug connectors 
on mobile battery-powered machines used inby the last open cross-cut 
with a threaded ring and a spring loaded device to prevent the plug 
connector from accidently disengaging while under load; to provide a 
warning tag that states ``Do Not Disengage Plugs Under Load'' on all 
battery plug connectors on battery-powered machines using the 
alternative method; and to instruct all persons who are required to 
operate or maintain the battery-operated machines on safe work 
practices and procedures. 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 June 2, 1995. Copies 
of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: April 27, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-10850 Filed 5-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P