December 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 242)
Page 70731-70732
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. Long Branch Energy
[Docket No. M-1999-121-C]
Long Branch Energy, P.O. Box 776, Danville, West Virginia 25033 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its #18 Mine
(I.D. No. 46-08305) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to replace a padlock on battery plug connectors on
mobile battery-powered machines with a threaded ring and a spring
loaded device to prevent the plug connector from accidently disengaging
while under load. The petitioner asserts that application of the
standard will result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In
addition, the petitioner asserts that the
[[Page 70732]]
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
2. McElroy Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-122-C]
McElroy Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1) and (2) (weekly examination) to its
McElroy Mine (I.D. No. 46-01437) located in Marshall County, West
Virginia. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to
permit weekly examinations of designated monitoring stations instead of
traveling and conducting weekly examinations in certain intake and
return entries of the mine. The petitioner states that the area of the
mine affected by this petition is subject to previously granted
petitions, docket numbers M-91-78-C, M-92-142-C, and M-93-007-C, which
established the monitoring stations (``PCS'') to be used instead of
traveling the affected return air courses and granted the district
manager discretion to relocate the PCS. The petitioner requests that
the three existing petitions be withdrawn and consolidated into one
petition. The petitioner proposes to: (i) conduct a weekly examination
at each monitoring station for methane and to verify direction of air
flow; (ii) instruct the person making the examinations and tests to
place his/her initials, the date, and time the monitoring station and
record the results in a book on the surface and made available for
inspection by interested parties; (iii) maintain each monitoring
station in a safe condition at all times; and (iv) have the monitoring
stations shown on the ventilation and part of the approved ventilation
plan. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory
standard.
3. Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-123-C]
Blue Mountain Energy, Inc., 3607 County Road #65, Rangely, Colorado
81648 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.500(d) (permissible electric equipment) to its Deserado Mine (I.D.
No. 05-03505) located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The petitioner
requests a modification of the standard to permit the use of low-
voltage and nonpermissible diagnostic equipment within 150 feet of
pillar workings in its continuous miners development sections. The
petitioner proposes to use the nonpermissible electronic testing or
diagnostic equipment in or by the last open crosscut. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the
same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
4. Independence Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-124-C]
Independence Coal Company, Inc., HC 78 Box 1800, Madison, West
Virginia 25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Justice No. 1 Mine
(I.D. No. 46-07273) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The
petitioner proposes to use belt air to ventilate active working places.
The petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon monoxide
detection system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt
entries used as intake air courses. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of
protection as the mandatory standard.
5. Genwal Resources, Inc.
[Docket No. M-1999-125-C]
Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, 195 North 100 West,
Huntington, Utah 84528 has filed a petition to modify the application
of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Crandall
Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 42-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. The
petitioner requests that some of the language in the Decision and Order
(D&O) for its previously granted petition, docket number M-96-71-C, be
amended because the petitioner states that certain product availability
for the exhaust systems have become limited and require an extensive
lead time and to replace these products at frequent intervals would be
substantially costly since durability is limited in the mining
atmosphere. The petitioner proposes that diesel equipment include a
means to prevent spray from ruptured fuel and oil lines from being
ignited by contact with engine exhaust systems. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same
measure of protection as the granted D&O and will not result in a
diminution of safety provided by the existing standard.
6. Mingo Logan Coal Company
[Docket No. M-1999-126-C]
Mingo Logan Coal Company, 1000 Mingo Logan Avenue, Wharncliffe,
West Virginia 25651 has filed a petition to modify the application of
30 CFR 75.1002 (location of feeder wires, trolley feeder wires, high-
voltage cables and transformers) to its Mountaineer Alma-A Mine (I.D.
No. 46-08730) located in Mingo County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use a high-voltage cable within 150 feet of pillar workings
to power a 2400 VAC longwall mining machine. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same
measure of protection as the mandatory standard.
Request for Comments
Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit
comments via e-mail to ``zzMSHA-Comments@dol.gov,'' or on a computer disk
along with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 4015
Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments
must be postmarked or received in that office on or before January 18,
2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that
address.
Dated: December 9, 1999
Carol J. Jones
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 99-32747 Filed 12-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-U
