Source: https://www.msha.gov/node/230579
Timestamp: 2017-12-12 06:17:34
Document Index: 462794272

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 75', '§ 75', '§811', '§ 75', '§ 75', '§ 75', '§ 75', '§ 75']

Petition - Docket No. M-2005-081-C | Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Petition - Docket No. M-2005-081-C
In the matter of: Petition for Modification Black Beauty Coal Company
Gateway Mine I.D. No. 11-02408
Riola Mine Complex-Riola Portal I.D. No. 11-02971
Riola Mine Complex-Vermilion Grove I.D. No. 11-03060
Air Quality No. 1 Mine I.D. No. 12-02010
Francisco Mine-Underground Pit
I.D. No. 12-02295 Docket No. M-2005-081-C
On December 5, 2005, a petition was filed seeking a modification of the application of 30
§ 75.500(d) to five of the petitioner's mines as follows: the Gateway mine (I.D. No. 11-02408) located in Randolph County, Illinois; the Riola Mine Complex—Riola Portal mine (I.D. No. 11-02971) and Riola Mine Complex—Vermilion Grove mine (I.D.11-0360) located in Vermilion County, Illinois; the Air Quality No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 12-02010) located in Knox County, Indiana; and the Francisco Mine—Underground Pit (I.D. No. 12-02295) located in Gibson County, Indiana.
The petitioner sought modification of the standard to permit battery-powered, non- permissible handheld computers to be used in or inby the last open crosscut, including in the return airways under the proposed alternative method. Such handheld computers are also known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).
MSHA personnel conducted an investigation and filed a report of their findings February 13, 2006. Review of the Petition and report indicated additional information was needed to evaluate the proposed alternative method.
The following safety regulations from Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations are also relevant to the amended petition:
Permissible (1) As applied to electric face equipment, all electrically operated equipment taken into or used inby the last open crosscut of an entry or a room of any coal mine the electrical parts of which, including,
but not limited to, associated electrical equipment, components, and accessories, are designed, constructed, and installed, in accordance with the specifications of the Secretary, to assure that such equipment will not cause a mine explosion or mine fire, and the other features of which are designed and constructed, in accordance with the specifications of the Secretary, to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, other accidents in the use of such equipment….
In its petition, the petitioner makes a series of proposals and allegations regarding the use of non-permissible battery-powered handheld computers. The petitioner proposes to use non-permissible battery-powered handheld computers in areas of the mine where permissible equipment is required in order to allow supervisors and selected miners to collect and record data pertinent to safety observations during work processes. The petitioner also proposes that data recorded in the handheld computers would be downloaded at the end of the shift and collated with other data, thereby allowing Petitioner to proactively correct unsafe practices and prevent accidents before they occur. Petitioner alleges that preliminary results from a safety observation program have shown a dramatic reduction in reportable accidents and that Petitioner expects even greater reductions in reportable accidents with the expanded collection of data in utilizing handheld computers.
The petition does not identify the manufacturer or model no. of the handheld computers proposed for use. During the investigation of the petition, MSHA was advised of the manufacturer’s name and the model number of the units currently in use in areas where permissible equipment is not required. These units have not been approved as permissible or intrinsically safe.
Model No.: AXIM X50V
Volts: 3.7V 1,100 mAh (3.7V x 1.1A = 4.07 Watts)
MSHA was notified during the petition investigation that the requested modification was not to be model-specific. Petitioner stated that model no. X50V is no longer manufactured and that units purchased by the petitioner in future will be of a different type.
The petitioner’s proposed alternative method consists of allowing the use of non- permissible battery-powered handheld computers inby the last open crosscut, including in the return airways inby the last open crosscut, while relying solely on detecting the presence of methane using handheld gas detectors.
Second, the petitioner’s alternative method does not ensure that the use of the non- permissible battery-powered handheld computers (a.k.a. PDAs) at issue herein would not represent a possible ignition source for a methane or coal dust explosion or fire.
These computers would be used during coal production, which creates an environment for the release of methane and float coal dust. The non-permissible battery-powered handheld computers proposed by the petitioner would be used by coal miners daily in the most hazardous areas of the mine. These areas are prone to outbursts of methane, or methane accumulations over roof falls and where coal is being mined in face areas.
The Dell Axim X50 Owner’s Manual, available on the manufacturer’s website at http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/aximx50/en/om/N6966bk1.pdf, includes the following pertinent Safety Instructions regarding the potential of this device as an ignition source:
Before you clean your device, disconnect the device from the electric outlet. Clean your device with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances.
The mine atmosphere carries coal and other fugitive dust which collects on ventilation controls; such dust is transferred to mine examiners’ clothing, face, and hands; and, when moist, conducts electricity. Such dust gets into all enclosures, including battery
cases. Equipment used in mining is exposed to rough handling, and is bumped, dropped, and banged against all kinds of obstacles during normal usage. The nature of the mine environment assures that any handheld computer will be exposed to moisture; additionally, the devices may fall into pooled water or be used under dripping roof.
Requiring permissible or intrinsically safe equipment is intended to prevent mine explosions from unpredicted methane accumulations, methane outbursts, or float coal dust in suspension by removing a possible ignition source.
Hence, the Petition does not provide an alternative method of compliance which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection to the miners as afforded by the standard. The petitioned battery-powered handheld computers must be approved as permissible by MSHA’s Approval and Certification Center in order to be used in areas where permissible equipment is required. On the basis of the Petition and the findings of MSHA's investigation, Black Beauty Coal Company is not granted a modification of the application of 30 C.F.R. § 75.500(d) to its Gateway Mine, Riola Mine Complex—Riola Portal mine, Riola Complex—Vermilion Grove mine, Air Quality No. 1 Mine, and Francisco Mine—Underground Pit.
Wherefore, pursuant to the authority delegated by the Secretary of Labor to the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health, and pursuant to Section 101(c) of the
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 30 U.S.C. §811(c), it is ordered that , Black Beauty Coal Company’s Petition for Modification of the application of 30 C.F.R.
§ 75.500(d) at the Gateway Mine, Riola Mine Complex—Riola Portal, Riola Mine Complex—Vermilion Grove, Air Quality No. 1 Mine, and Francisco Mine— Underground Pit is hereby:
Even though 30 C.F.R. § 75.500(d) requires
All other electric face equipment which is taken into or used inby the last crosscut of any coal mine, except a coal mine referred to in § 75.501, which has not been classified under any provision of law as a gassy mine prior to March 30, 1970, shall be permissible,
the reasoning and investigative information which compels the decision to deny the requested modification of 30 C.F.R. § 75.500(d) applies equally well to any request to use non-permissible battery-powered handheld computers at locations in which methane or coal dust accumulations may be present, such as those locations referenced in 30 C.F.R. §§ 75.500(b), 75.507-1, and 75.1002.
Any party to this action desiring a hearing must file a request for hearing within 30 days after service of the Proposed Decision and Order, in accordance with 30 CFR 44.14, with the Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209. If a hearing is requested, the request shall contain a concise summary of position on the issues of fact or law desired to be raised by the party requesting the hearing, including specific objections to the Proposed Decision and Order. A party other than the petitioner who has requested a hearing shall also comment upon all issues of fact or law presented in the Amended Petition. Any party to this action requesting a hearing may indicate a desired hearing site. If no request for a hearing is filed within 30 days after service thereof, this Proposed Decision and Order will become final and must be posted by the operator on the mine bulletin board at the mine.