[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 68 (Monday, April 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18147-18149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8690]



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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. C&B Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-39-C]

    C&B Mining, R.D. #2, Box 861, Coal Township, Pennsylvania 17866 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 
(construction of seals) to its No. 2 Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-07813) 
located in Northumberland 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.

2. C&B Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-40-C]

    C&B Mining, R.D. #2, Box 861, Coal Township, Pennsylvania 17866 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360 (preshift 
examination) to its No. 2 Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-07813) located in 
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to examine 
each seal for physical damage from the slope gunboat during the 
preshift examination after an air quantity reading is taken in by the 
intake portal and to test for the quantity and quality of air at the 
intake air split locations off the slope in the gangway portion of the 
working section. The petitioner proposes to physically examine the 
entire length of the slope once a month. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

3. C&B Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-41-C]

    C&B Mining, R.D. #2, Box 861, Coal Township, Pennsylvania 17866 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a) 
(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its No. 2 Vein 
Slope (I.D. No. 36-07813) located in Northumberland County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use only portable fire 
extinguishers to replace existing requirements where rock dust, water 
cars, and other water storage are not practical. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. C&B Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-42-C]

    C&B Mining, R.D. #2, Box 861, Coal Township, Pennsylvania 17866 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200 (d) & (i) 
(mine map) to its No. 2 Vein Slope (I.D. No. 36-07813) located in 
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use 
cross-sections instead of contour lines through the intake slope, at 
locations of rock tunnel connections between veins, and at 1,000 feet 
intervals of advance from the intake slope and to limit the mapping of 
mine workings above and below to those present within 100 feet of the 
vein being mined except when veins are interconnected to other veins 
beyond the 100 feet limit through rock tunnels. The petitioner asserts 
that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same 
measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. C&B Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-43-C]

    C&B Mining, R.D. #2, Box 861, Coal Township, Pennsylvania 17866 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a) 
(temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its No. 2 Vein 
Slope (I.D. No. 36-07813) located in Northumberland County, 
Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to revise and supplement mine 
maps on an annual basis instead of the required 6 month interval and to 
update maps daily by hand notations. The petitioner asserts that the 
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. Kerr-McGee Coal Corporation

[Docket Nos. M-95-44-C and M-95-45-C]

    Kerr-McGee Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 727, Harrisburg, Illinois 
62946 has filed petitions to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Galatia No. 
56-1 Mine (I.D. No. 11-02752) located in Saline County, Illinois. The 
petitioner proposes to use trailing cables to supply power to the 
Fletcher single boom roof bolter, Model No. CDR-13-EC-F, Approval No. 
2G-2674A-4, and all updated approval extensions of this equipment as 
applicable. The petitioner requests that Item 1 of its petitions for 
modification and MSHA's Proposed Decisions and Orders for granted 
petitions, docket number M-91-12-C and M-94-53-C be amended. The 
petitioner asserts that [[Page 18148]] this request would facilitate 
equipment replacement or additions while maintaining the protection 
intended in the Decision and Order.

7. Roberts Brothers Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-46-C]

    Roberts Brothers Coal Company, P.O. Box 397, Mortons Gap, Kentucky 
42440 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.901(a) (protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits 
used underground) to its Cardinal No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17216) 
located in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to operate 
its Diesel Powered Generator (DPG) without an earth referenced ground. 
As an alternative, the petitioner proposes to use resistors, ground 
fault relays and trips, and SHD-GC shielded cable. In addition, the 
skid base of the DPG will provide some earth ground protection. The 
petitioner states that this diesel powered generator provides power to 
different areas of the mine and to attach a grounding conductor to the 
earth referenced ground system would reduce mobility and effectiveness 
of the unit. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative 
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would 
the mandatory standard.

8. Jordan Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-47-C]

    Jordan Coal Company, 133 E. Academy Street, Shamokin, Pennsylvania 
17872 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 
(construction of seals) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-07681) located 
in Northumberland 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.

9. Eastern Associated Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-95-48-C]

    Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, 800 Laidley Tower, P.O. Box 
1233, Charleston, West Virginia 25324 has filed a petition to modify 
the application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(1) (escapeways; bituminous and 
lignite mines) to its Lightfoot No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 46-04332) located 
in Boone County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to ventilate 
on-board charging of batteries with a current of air coursed directly 
into the return air course; to use intake air to ventilate the scoop 
batteries that is of sufficient velocity to prevent smoke rollback or 
airflow reversal during a fire on the scoop and the accumulation of 
explosives gases; to install carbon monoxide sensors that are part of 
the AMS System over the battery charging unit; to install a mandoor in 
the permanent stopping behind the battery charger unit that would 
automatically open the mandoor in the event of a fire. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

10. Cross Mountain Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-49-C]

    Cross Mountain Coal, Inc., 100 Coal Drive, London, Kentucky 40741 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 
(aircourse and belt haulage entries) to its Mine No. 10 (I.D. No. 40-
03082) located in Anderson County, Tennessee. The petitioner proposes 
to use the air in the belt entry to ventilate active working places; to 
examine the belt conveyor entry at least once during each coal 
producting shift at intervals that would be most effective while miners 
are working; to follow all other MSHA fire protection requirements, 
especially those pertaining to water lines, fire hoses, fire 
suppression systems, warning devices, and flame-resistant belting; and 
to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system in all belt 
entries used as intake air courses as an early warning fire detection 
system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method 
would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the 
mandatory standard.

11. Cross Mountain Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-50-C]

    Cross Mountain Coal, Inc., 100 Coal Drive, London, Kentucky 40741 
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-4 
(automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; installation; 
minimum requirements) to its Mine No. 10 (I.D. No. 40-03082) located in 
Anderson County, Tennessee. The petitioner proposes to install a low-
level carbon monoxide detection system as an early warning fire 
detection system in all belt entries where a monitoring system would 
identify a sensor location instead of each belt flight. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

12. Leeco, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-51-C]

    Leeco, Inc., 100 Coal Drive, London Kentucky 40741 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly 
examination) to its Mine No. 62 (I.D. No. 15-16412) located in Perry 
County, Kentucky. Due to flooding and other hazardous conditions in 
Seals Nos. 1 and 2, traveling the affected areas would be unsafe. As an 
alternative, the petitioner proposes to establish evaluations points 
and to perform weekly examinations. The petitioner states that 
application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to 
the miners.

13. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-52-C]

    Peabody Coal Company, 1951 Barrett Court, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson, 
Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 
75.364(b) (weekly examination) to its Camp No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 15-
02709) located in Union County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests that 
MSHA's Proposed Decision and Order, docket number M-93-06-C be amended 
to eliminate coverage of the 1 South seals, 2 South seals, 3 South 
seals, 4 South seals, and 1 West seals off the 1 Submain North in the 
Decision because these areas have been sealed since the previous 
petition was granted.

14. Holnam, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-04-M]

    Holnam, Inc., 3500 Highway 120, P.O. Box 349, Florence, Colorado 
81226 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.6901 
(black powder) to its Portland Quarry (I.D. No. 05-00037) located in 
Fremont County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to destroy model 
rocket engines containing black powder and desensitized black powder 
sweepings in blast holes. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

15. Asbury Graphite Mills, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-05-M]

    Asbury Graphite Mills, Inc., R.D. #7, Box 1, Kittanning, 
Pennsylvania 16201 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 56.14101 (brakes) to its Kittanning Plant (I.D. No. 36- 
[[Page 18149]] 07653) located in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The 
petitioner proposes to install hydraulic micro lever locks on three of 
its Yale Forklift Trucks instead of standard parking brakes due to 
specific situations and concerns outlined in their petition that reduce 
the effectiveness of standard pad and drum parking brakes. The 
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide 
at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory 
standard.

16. Tg Soda Ash, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-06-M]

    Tg Soda Ash, Inc., P.O. Box 100, Granger, Wyoming 82934 has filed a 
petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.22215 (separation of 
intake and return air (I-A, II-A, III, and V-4 mines)) to its Wyoming 
Soda Ash Operations (I.D. No. 48-00639) located in Sweetwater County, 
Wyoming. The petitioner proposes to use controlled district 
recirculation of mine air to improve mine ventilation and the quality 
of the miner's work environment by providing an excessive airflow to 
dilute and carry away dust, methane, and diesel fumes from the mining 
and abandoned areas of the mine. The petitioner states that this 
recirculation fan system would be inspected during each operating shift 
on a weekly basis and that weekly examination results would be included 
in the weekly ventilation report which would be kept on the surface; 
that the fan would be monitored and the monitors checked for proper 
operation on a weekly basis by a qualified person; that mine personnel 
would be familiarized and trained on the recirculation system, 
monitoring requirements, and emergency escape procedures; and that its 
emergency plan would be updated to include the controlled recirculation 
system. 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 May 10, 1995. Copies 
of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: April 3, 1995.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 95-8690 Filed 4-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P