[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64625-64627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25774]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standards
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of
1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and
disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of
petitions for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below to modify the
application of existing mandatory safety standards codified in Title 30
of the Code of Federal Regulations.
DATES: All comments on the petitions must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations and Variances on or before December 1, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: [email protected]. Include the docket
number of the petition in the subject line of the message.
2. Facsimile: 202-693-9441.
3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington,
Virginia 22209-3939, Attention: Sheila McConnell, Acting Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances. Persons delivering
documents are required to check in at the receptionist's desk on the
21st floor. Individuals may inspect copies of the petitions and
comments during normal business hours at the address listed above.
MSHA will consider only comments postmarked by the U.S. Postal
Service or proof of delivery from another delivery service such as UPS
or Federal Express on or before the deadline for comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations and Variances at 202-693-9447 (Voice),
[email protected] (Email), or 202-693-9441 (Facsimile). [These are
not toll-free numbers.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) allows the mine operator or representative of miners to file
a petition to modify the application of any mandatory safety standard
to a coal or other mine if the Secretary of Labor determines that:
1. An alternative method of achieving the result of such standard
exists which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners of such mine by such standard; or
2. That the application of such standard to such mine will result
in a diminution of safety to the miners in such mine.
In addition, the regulations at 30 CFR 44.10 and 44.11 establish
the requirements and procedures for filing petitions for modification.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M-2014-029-C.
Petitioner: North American Drillers, Contractor ID: H2Q, 130 Meadow
Ridge Road, Suite 22, Mount Morris, Pennsylvania 15349.
Companies and Mines: Tunnel Ridge, LLC, Tunnel Ridge Mine, MSHA
I.D. No. 46-08864, located in Ohio County, West Virginia; Mettiki Coal
WV, LLC, Mountain View Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-09028, located in Tucker
County, West Virginia; ACI Tygart Valley, Leer Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-
09192, Taylor County, West Virginia; Monongalia County Coal Company,
Monongalia County Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01968, located in Monongalia
County, West Virginia; Ohio County Coal Company, Ohio County Mine, MSHA
I.D. No. 46-01436, located in Ohio County, West Virginia; Harrison
County Coal Company, Harrison County Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01318,
located in Harrison County, West Virginia; Marshall County Coal
Company, Marshall County Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01437, located in
Marshall County, West Virginia; Marion County Coal Company, Marion
County Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01433, located in Marion County, West
Virginia; The Ohio Valley Coal Company, Powhatan #6 Mine, MSHA I.D. No.
33-01159, located in Belmont County, Ohio; and Eastern Associated Coal,
LLC, Federal #2 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01456, located in Monongalia
County, West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.1914(a) (Electrical equipment).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of 480-volt, three-phase,
alternating current submersible pumps to dewater completed ventilation
shafts prior to the shafts being put into service at the mines
referenced in this petition.
The petitioner proposes the following terms and conditions:
[[Page 64626]]
(1) The three-phase, 480-volt alternating current electric power
circuit for the pump will be designed and installed to:
(a) Contain either a direct or derived neutral wire, which will be
grounded through a suitable resistor at the source transformer or power
center and through a grounding circuit originating at the grounded side
of the grounding resistor, that will extend along with the power
conductors and serve as the grounding conductor for the frame of the
pump and all associated electric equipment that may be supplied power
from this circuit.
(b) Contain a grounding resistor that limits the ground-fault
current to not more than 15 amperes. The grounding resistors will be
rated for the maximum fault current available and will be insulated
from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the
system.
(2) The 480-volt pump circuit will be provided with a suitable
circuit interrupting device of adequate interrupting capacity, with
devices to provide protection against under-voltage, grounded phase,
short-circuit, and overload.
(3) The under-voltage protection device will operate on a loss of
voltage to prevent automatic restarting of the equipment.
(4) The grounded phase protection device will be set not to exceed
40 percent of the current rating of the neutral grounding resistor. The
480-volt circuit will provide the following:
(i) A ``look ahead'' circuit device to prevent closing the breaker
when a phase to ground fault condition exists on the system; and
(ii) A test circuit that will inject a test current through the
grounded phase current transformer.
(5) The short-circuit protection device will be set not to exceed
the required short-circuit protection for the power cable or 75 percent
of the minimum available phase-to-phase short-circuit current,
whichever is less.
(6) The circuit will include a disconnecting device located on the
surface and installed in conjunction with the circuit breaker to
provide a means for visual evidence that the power is disconnected from
the pump circuits and a means to lock and tag-out the system.
(7) The pump power system will include a fail-safe ground check
circuit or other, no less effective, device approved by the Secretary
that will cause the circuit breaker to open when either the ground or
pilot wire is broken. A manually operated test switch will be provided
to verify the operation of the ground check device. The device will be
installed, and maintained operable, to monitor the ground continuity
from the starter box to the pump.
(8) The pump(s) electric control circuit(s) will be designed and
installed so that:
(a) The pump(s) cannot start and/or run in either the manual or the
automatic mode if the water is below the low water probe level.
(b) The low water probe will be positioned to maintain at least 12
inches above the inlet of the pump and electrical connections of the
pump motor.
(c) The low water probe will be suitable for submersible pump
control application.
(d) All probe circuits will be intrinsically safe.
(e) A motor controller will be provided and used for pump startup
and shutdown.
(9) The pump installation will be equipped with a water level
indicator at the pump circuit controls such that a miner can determine
the water level above the pump inlet and electrical connector(s).
(10) The surface pump(s) control and power circuits will be
examined as required by 30 CFR 77.502.
(a) A record of the examination will be kept in accordance with 30
CFR 77.502.
(b) The examination will include a functional test of the grounded
phase protective device(s) to determine proper operation. A record of
these functional tests will be recorded in an electric equipment record
book.
(d) An electrical examination will be performed prior to placing
the pump in service.
(e) Methane checks will be made at the collar of the borehole prior
to energizing the pump. The pump will not be energized if 1.0 percent
or greater of methane is detected.
(11) The power cable to the submersible pump motor will be suitable
for this application and will have a current carrying capacity not less
than 125 percent of the full load current of the submersible pump motor
and an outer jacket suitable for a ``wet location''.
(12) Splices and connections made in submersible pump cable will be
made in a workmanlike manner and will meet the requirements of 30 CFR
75.604. The pump installations will comply with all other applicable 30
CFR requirements.
(13) The District Manager will be notified prior to dewatering any
shaft using a nonpermissible submersible pump. The required shaft plan
will include this notification.
(14) Within 60 days after the Proposed Decision and Order becomes
final, the petitioner will submit proposed revisions for its approved
part 48 training plan to the District Manager. The proposed revisions
will specify task training for all qualified electricians who perform
electric work and monthly electric examinations as required in 30 CFR
77.502, refresher training regarding the alternative method outlined in
the petition, and the terms and conditions in the Proposed Decision and
Order. Training will include the following elements:
(a) The hazards that could exist if the water level falls below the
pump inlet or the electric connections of the pump motor.
(b) The safe restart procedures that will include the miner
determining that the water level is above the pump inlet and pump motor
prior to attempting to manually restart the pump motor.
(15) Procedures of 30 CFR 48.3 for approval of proposed revisions
to already approved training plans will apply.
The petitioner states that:
(1) In the execution of work providing a blind drilled shaft for
the mine operator the blind drilled shaft remains full of water and
personnel are never required to go below the collar of the blind
drilled shaft.
(2) Water will be removed from the blind drilled shaft
installations upon completion of the work and prior to the mine
operator connecting the blind drilled shaft to the underground mine.
(3) The blind drilled shaft is fully lined with steel casing and is
grouted in place. This steel casing and grout seal isolate the
completed blind drilled shaft from any coal seams, mitigating any
possibility for methane to enter the blind drilled shaft.
(4) The electric motor of any submersible pump is located below the
pump intake making it impossible for the motor to ever be above the
surface of the water.
(5) There are no electric submersible motor/pump assemblies
manufactured that will effectively pump water deeper than approximately
400 feet that are permissible as required in 30 CFR 77.1914(a).
(6) The petitioner proposes to use permissible pumps to dewater
blind drilled shafts where depths are less than approximately 400 feet.
(7) At depths greater than approximately 400 feet, the alternative
method outlined in this petition is consistent with prudent engineering
design pursuant to 30 CFR 77.1900
[[Page 64627]]
whereas it minimizes the hazards to those employed in the initial or
subsequent development of the blind drilled shaft.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will at
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection
afforded the miners by the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2014-030-C.
Petitioner: M-Class Mining, LLC, 11351 N. Thompsonville Road,
Macedonia, Illinois 62860.
Mine: MC#1 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 11-03189, located in Franklin
County, Illinois.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507-1(a) (Electric equipment other
than power-connection points; outby the last open crosscut return air;
permissibility requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of nonpermissible submersible deep
well pumps in bleeder and return air courses. The petitioner proposes
to install low-voltage alternating current submersible pumps in return
and/or bleeder entries and sealed area of the MC#1Mine. The petitioner
states that:
(1) These low-voltage submersible pumps will provide a pumping
option to the existing turbine pumps that are installed to maintain the
bleeder and return entries from obstructions caused by water. Water
accumulations in these airways can pose a safety hazard as they can
affect the airflow in the active and inactive parts of the mine.
(2) The pumps may be installed between 600 and 1,200 feet below the
surface.
(3) The three-phase low-voltage alternating current electric power
circuits for the pumps will be designed and installed to:
(a) Contain either a direct or derived neutral wire, which must be
grounded through a suitable resistor at the source transformer or power
center and through a grounding circuit originating at the grounded side
of the grounding resistor, which must extend along with the power
conductors and serve as the grounding conductor for the frame of the
pump and all associated electric equipment that may be supplied power
from this circuit. The borehole casing will be bonded to the system
grounded medium.
(b) Contain a grounding resistor that limits the ground-fault
current to not more than 15 amperes. The grounding resistor will be
rated for the maximum fault current available and will be insulated
from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the
system.
(c) Provide protection by a suitable circuit breaker of adequate
interrupting capacity with devices to protect against undervoltage,
grounded phase, short-circuit, and overload.
(d) Contain a disconnecting device installed in conjunction with
the circuit breaker to provide visual evidence that the power is
disconnected.
(e) Include a fail-safe ground check circuit or other no less
effective device approved by the Secretary as required by 30 CFR
75.902, that will cause the circuit breaker to open when either the
ground or pilot wire is broken.
(4) The pump(s) electric control circuits will be designed and
installed so that:
(a) The pump(s) cannot start and/or run in either the manual or the
automatic mode if the water is below the low level indicator (probe or
bubbler) level.
(b) The low level (probe or bubbler) water level probe will be
located at least three feet above the pump inlet and motor and
electrical connections of the pump(s).
(c) The high and low water probes must be suitable for submersible
pump control application.
(d) All water level probe circuits will be protected with MSHA
approved intrinsically safe barriers.
(e) A remote control and monitoring system may be used with the
pump system for condition monitoring and for remote start-up and
shutdown control of the pumps. The remote control and monitoring system
will not allow remote reset of the pump power system when fault
conditions (e.g., grounded phase, short circuit, or overload) exist on
the system.
(5) The surface pump(s) control and power circuits will be
examined, tested, and maintained as required by 30 CFR 77.502.
(6) Splices and connections made in submersible pump cable will be
made in a workmanlike manner and will meet the requirements of 30 CFR
75.604. The pump installations will comply with all other applicable 30
CFR requirements.
(7) Within 60 days after the Proposed Decision and Order becomes
final, the petitioner will submit proposed revisions for its approved
part 48 training plan to the District Manager. The proposed revisions
will specify task training for all qualified electricians who perform
electric work and monthly electric examinations, testing and
maintenance as required in 30 CFR 77.502, refresher training regarding
the alternative method outlined in the petition, and the terms and
conditions in the Proposed Decision and Order.
(8) The procedures of 30 CFR 48.3 for approval of proposed
revisions to already approved training plans will apply.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will at
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection
afforded the miners by the existing standard.
Dated: October 24, 2014.
Sheila McConnell,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2014-25774 Filed 10-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P