Federal Register: October 12, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 198)
DOCID: FR Doc 01-25691
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Safety standard petitions:
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Petitions for Modification
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The following parties have filed petitions to modify the
application of existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
1. A B & J Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001085C]
A B & J Coal Company, Inc., PO Box 35, Vansant, Virginia 24656 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.17101
(canopies or cabs; selfpropelled dieselpowered and electric face
equipment; installation requirements) to its Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 44
06828) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes to
operate selfpropelled electric face equipment without cabs or canopies
in seam heights of 48 inches or less. The petitioner asserts that
application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
2. McElroy Coal Company
[Docket No. M2001086C]
McElroy Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh,
[[Page 52155]]
Pennsylvania 152411421 has filed a petition to modify the application
of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires,
highvoltage cables and transformers) to its McElroy Mine (I.D. No. 46
01437) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use highvoltage (4,160volt) cables inby the last open
crosscut. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
3. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001087C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.804(a) (underground highvoltage cables) to its High Quality Mine
(I.D. No. 3608375) located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The
petitioner proposes to use a highvoltage cable with an internal ground
check conductor smaller than No. 10 AWG. The petitioner states that
highvoltage cables would be SHD+CG cable, manufactured to ICEA
Standard S75381 for Type SHD threeconductor cables (except that it
would have an insulated flexible center ground check conductor having a
crosssectional area of not less than 1,800 circular mils), accepted by
MSHA as flameresistant, and with symmetrical 3/C, G/G and 1/GC
construction; that all electrical personnel who perform maintenance on
the longwall will receive training on installing and repairing the
cables prior to implementation; and that a revised Part 48 training
plan, specifying task training and review of the terms and conditions
for the affected miners, would be submitted to the District Manager.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
4. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001088C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania 15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, highvoltage cables and transformers) to its High Quality Mine (I.D. No. 3608375) located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use highvoltage (4,160volt) cables inby the last open crosscut. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 5. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001089C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700
(oil and gas wells) to its High Quality Mine (I.D. No. 3308375)
located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to
plug and mine through oil and gas wells. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
6. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001090C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania 15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its High Quality Mine (I.D. No. 3608375) located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to allow belt air coursed through belt haulage entries to be used to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt entries used to course intake air to a working place. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 7. Alex Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001091C]
Alex Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 857, Summersville, West Virginia 26651
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Sugarcamp Mine (I.D. No. 46
08745) located in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing standard to allow belt air
coursed through belt haulage entries to be used to ventilate active
working places. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide
monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt
entries used to course intake air to a working place. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
8. 3D Management Service, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001092C]
3D Management Service, Inc., PO Box 186, Madison, West Virginia
25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) and 18.41(f) (plug
and receptacletype connectors) to its Tiny Creek No. 2 Mine (I.D. No.
4608835) located in Lincoln County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use a threaded ring and a springloaded device instead of a
padlock on mobile batterypowered machines to prevent the plug
connector from accidentally disengaging while under load. The
petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would
result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
9. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M2001093C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 152411421 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly examination) to its Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 4601436) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. Due to deteriorating roof and rib conditions of the six seals in 1 South of the intake air course, traveling this areas would be unsafe. The petitioner proposes to establish designated check points and have a certified person examined these check points on a daily basis to monitor for methane and to ensure safe air passage. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 10. Bledsoe Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M2001094C]
Bledsoe Coal Corporation, 1374 Highway 192 East, London, Kentucky
40741 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1711
1 (sealing of shaft openings) to its Mine No. 60 (I.D. No. 1512941)
located in Leslie County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use an
alternative method to establish a more permanent resolution for sealing
shaft openings that would protect the general public from vandalism or
accidents at the Mine No. 60, and establish an alternative method for
reclamation requirements from the Department of Reclamation and
Enforcement, due to the remote location of the shaft and the
unfeasibility of obtaining material to backfill the shaft. The
petitioner states that the Mine No. 60 has ceased production and
portals have been backfilled; that the shaft has been sealed with a 17
inch concrete cap that is equipped with a vent pipe of 2inches in
diameter, at a distance of 15 feet above the surface of the shaft; and [[Page 52156]]
that the proposed alternative method would be sufficient to sustain the
loads that occur from the reclamation material and any other possible
load situations. The petitioner has provided with this petition 3sets
of drawings that detail how the 18inch shaft will be permanently
sealed. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
11. Leeco, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001095C]
Leeco, Inc., P.O. Box 309, Jeff, Kentucky 41751 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low and medium voltage circuits serving threephase alternating current equipment; circuit breakers) to its No. 68 Mine (I.D. No. 1517497) located in Perry County, Kentucky; and its No. 78 Mine (I.D. No. 1517816) located in Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to a alternate method to meet the requirements of undervoltage protection. The petitioner proposes for undervoltage protection a maximum nominal voltage of the belt conveyor drive and water pump circuit(s) not to exceed 995 volts, nominal voltage of the belt conveyor drive control and water pump control circuit(s) not to exceed 120 volts, vacuum contactors built into or permanently affixed to the transformer enclosure and properly separated and isolated from the other components of the unit, and provide undervoltage protection for belt drive(s) and water pump motors that are greater than 5 horsepower for vacuum contactors that have associated protective relays. The petitioner has listed in this petition additional specific procedures that would be followed when its proposed alternative method is implemented. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 12. Leeco, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001096C]
Leeco, Inc., PO Box 309, Jeff, Kentucky 41751 has filed a petition
to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.214(a) (refuse piles; general)
to its No. 64 Mine (I.D. No. 1516353) located in Perry County,
Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to place refuse over previously
abandoned and reclaimed mines. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
13. American Energy Corporation
[Docket No. M2001097C]
American Energy Corporation, PO Box 5, Alledonia, Ohio 43902 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and
gas wells) to its Century Mine (I.D. No. 3301070) located in Belmont
County, Ohio. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine through oil and
gas wells at the Century Mine using the specific procedures outlined in
this petition for modification. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
14. Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation
[Docket No. M2001004M]
Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, 8362 West 10200 South, Bingham Canyon, Utah 840060351 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.14109 (unguarded conveyors with adjacent travelways) to its Bingham Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 4200149) located in Salt Lake County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to allow emergency stop devices in the form of a handheld portable radio to be used at those portions of the Bingham Canyon Mine's MineConcentrator Conveyor where pullcords or railings are not located, which when activated through a single pushbutton at any position along the beltway, will deactivate the conveyor motor and stop the belt. The petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
Request for Comments
Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit comments via email to ``comments@msha.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 November 13, 2001. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 4th day of October 2001. David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 0125691 Filed 101101; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451043P
SUMMARY:
AB&J Coal Co., Inc., et al.,
DOCUMENT BODY 2:
The following parties have filed petitions to modify the
application of existing safety standards under section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
1. A B & J Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001085C]
A B & J Coal Company, Inc., PO Box 35, Vansant, Virginia 24656 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.17101
(canopies or cabs; selfpropelled dieselpowered and electric face
equipment; installation requirements) to its Mine No. 2 (I.D. No. 44
06828) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes to
operate selfpropelled electric face equipment without cabs or canopies
in seam heights of 48 inches or less. The petitioner asserts that
application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.
2. McElroy Coal Company
[Docket No. M2001086C]
McElroy Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh,
[[Page 52155]]
Pennsylvania 152411421 has filed a petition to modify the application
of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires,
highvoltage cables and transformers) to its McElroy Mine (I.D. No. 46
01437) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use highvoltage (4,160volt) cables inby the last open
crosscut. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
3. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001087C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.804(a) (underground highvoltage cables) to its High Quality Mine
(I.D. No. 3608375) located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The
petitioner proposes to use a highvoltage cable with an internal ground
check conductor smaller than No. 10 AWG. The petitioner states that
highvoltage cables would be SHD+CG cable, manufactured to ICEA
Standard S75381 for Type SHD threeconductor cables (except that it
would have an insulated flexible center ground check conductor having a
crosssectional area of not less than 1,800 circular mils), accepted by
MSHA as flameresistant, and with symmetrical 3/C, G/G and 1/GC
construction; that all electrical personnel who perform maintenance on
the longwall will receive training on installing and repairing the
cables prior to implementation; and that a revised Part 48 training
plan, specifying task training and review of the terms and conditions
for the affected miners, would be submitted to the District Manager.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
4. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001088C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania 15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 (location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, highvoltage cables and transformers) to its High Quality Mine (I.D. No. 3608375) located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use highvoltage (4,160volt) cables inby the last open crosscut. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 5. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001089C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700
(oil and gas wells) to its High Quality Mine (I.D. No. 3308375)
located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to
plug and mine through oil and gas wells. The petitioner asserts that
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
6. Maple Creek Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001090C]
Maple Creek Mining, Inc., 981 Route 917, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania 15314 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its High Quality Mine (I.D. No. 3608375) located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to allow belt air coursed through belt haulage entries to be used to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt entries used to course intake air to a working place. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 7. Alex Energy, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001091C]
Alex Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 857, Summersville, West Virginia 26651
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air
courses and belt haulage entries) to its Sugarcamp Mine (I.D. No. 46
08745) located in Nicholas County, West Virginia. The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing standard to allow belt air
coursed through belt haulage entries to be used to ventilate active
working places. The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide
monitoring system as an early warning fire detection system in all belt
entries used to course intake air to a working place. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
8. 3D Management Service, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001092C]
3D Management Service, Inc., PO Box 186, Madison, West Virginia
25130 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503
(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) and 18.41(f) (plug
and receptacletype connectors) to its Tiny Creek No. 2 Mine (I.D. No.
4608835) located in Lincoln County, West Virginia. The petitioner
proposes to use a threaded ring and a springloaded device instead of a
padlock on mobile batterypowered machines to prevent the plug
connector from accidentally disengaging while under load. The
petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would
result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
9. Consolidation Coal Company
[Docket No. M2001093C]
Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 152411421 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) (weekly examination) to its Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 4601436) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. Due to deteriorating roof and rib conditions of the six seals in 1 South of the intake air course, traveling this areas would be unsafe. The petitioner proposes to establish designated check points and have a certified person examined these check points on a daily basis to monitor for methane and to ensure safe air passage. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 10. Bledsoe Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M2001094C]
Bledsoe Coal Corporation, 1374 Highway 192 East, London, Kentucky
40741 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1711
1 (sealing of shaft openings) to its Mine No. 60 (I.D. No. 1512941)
located in Leslie County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use an
alternative method to establish a more permanent resolution for sealing
shaft openings that would protect the general public from vandalism or
accidents at the Mine No. 60, and establish an alternative method for
reclamation requirements from the Department of Reclamation and
Enforcement, due to the remote location of the shaft and the
unfeasibility of obtaining material to backfill the shaft. The
petitioner states that the Mine No. 60 has ceased production and
portals have been backfilled; that the shaft has been sealed with a 17
inch concrete cap that is equipped with a vent pipe of 2inches in
diameter, at a distance of 15 feet above the surface of the shaft; and [[Page 52156]]
that the proposed alternative method would be sufficient to sustain the
loads that occur from the reclamation material and any other possible
load situations. The petitioner has provided with this petition 3sets
of drawings that detail how the 18inch shaft will be permanently
sealed. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
11. Leeco, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001095C]
Leeco, Inc., P.O. Box 309, Jeff, Kentucky 41751 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.900 (low and medium voltage circuits serving threephase alternating current equipment; circuit breakers) to its No. 68 Mine (I.D. No. 1517497) located in Perry County, Kentucky; and its No. 78 Mine (I.D. No. 1517816) located in Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to a alternate method to meet the requirements of undervoltage protection. The petitioner proposes for undervoltage protection a maximum nominal voltage of the belt conveyor drive and water pump circuit(s) not to exceed 995 volts, nominal voltage of the belt conveyor drive control and water pump control circuit(s) not to exceed 120 volts, vacuum contactors built into or permanently affixed to the transformer enclosure and properly separated and isolated from the other components of the unit, and provide undervoltage protection for belt drive(s) and water pump motors that are greater than 5 horsepower for vacuum contactors that have associated protective relays. The petitioner has listed in this petition additional specific procedures that would be followed when its proposed alternative method is implemented. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard. 12. Leeco, Inc.
[Docket No. M2001096C]
Leeco, Inc., PO Box 309, Jeff, Kentucky 41751 has filed a petition
to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.214(a) (refuse piles; general)
to its No. 64 Mine (I.D. No. 1516353) located in Perry County,
Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to place refuse over previously
abandoned and reclaimed mines. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
13. American Energy Corporation
[Docket No. M2001097C]
American Energy Corporation, PO Box 5, Alledonia, Ohio 43902 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (oil and
gas wells) to its Century Mine (I.D. No. 3301070) located in Belmont
County, Ohio. The petitioner proposes to plug and mine through oil and
gas wells at the Century Mine using the specific procedures outlined in
this petition for modification. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
14. Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation
[Docket No. M2001004M]
Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, 8362 West 10200 South, Bingham Canyon, Utah 840060351 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.14109 (unguarded conveyors with adjacent travelways) to its Bingham Canyon Mine (I.D. No. 4200149) located in Salt Lake County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to allow emergency stop devices in the form of a handheld portable radio to be used at those portions of the Bingham Canyon Mine's MineConcentrator Conveyor where pullcords or railings are not located, which when activated through a single pushbutton at any position along the beltway, will deactivate the conveyor motor and stop the belt. The petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
Request for Comments
Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit comments via email to ``comments@msha.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 November 13, 2001. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 4th day of October 2001. David L. Meyer,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 0125691 Filed 101101; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451043P