[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 39428-39430] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-18947] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration Petitions for Modification This notice amends an affirmative decision issued by the Administrator of Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health on a petition for modification of the application of a mandatory safety standard to correct the word ``shop'' in a document published in the Federal Register on June 20, 1995 (60 FR 32180) to read ``shot''. Docket No.: M-94-38-M FR Notice: 59 FR 50008 Petitioner: Independent Aggregates Reg Affected: 30 CFR 56.6306(b) Summary of Findings: Petitioner's proposal to continue drilling the shot pattern while loading is in progress by completing a drill hole and immediately loading the hole while continuing to drill a new hole considered acceptable alternative method. Granted with conditions. 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. [[Page 39429]] 1. Consolidation Coal Company [Docket No. M-95-92-C] Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 to its Loveridge No. 22 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01433) located in Marion County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use high-voltage (4,160 volts) cables inby the last open crosscut to supply power to longwall equipment. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 2. Costain Coal, Inc. [Docket No. M-95-93-C] Costain Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 289, Sturgis, Kentucky 42459-0289 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4) to its Wheatcroft Mine (I.D. No. 15-13920) located in Webster County, Kentucky. Due to deteriorating roof conditions in the Main North and 1st North Panel and the approaches to the No. 10 seals, traveling the area would be unsafe. The petitioner proposes to establish evaluation points to determine the direction and quantity of air going into the affected area and to examine these points on a weekly basis. The petitioner states that application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to the persons making weekly examinations. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 3. Western Mingo Coal Company [Docket No. M-95-94-C] Western Mingo Coal Company, P.O. Box 119, Naugatuck, West Virginia 25685 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 to its Northern Mingo No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 46-08369) located in Mingo County, West Virginia. 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 would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 4. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc. [Docket No. M-95-95-C] CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc., Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 to its 9AB - H4 Mine (I.D. No. 15- 17667) located in Floyd County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to permit the use of a single line of automatic sprinklers for its fire protection system on main and secondary belt conveyors. The petitioner proposes to use a single overhead pipe system with 1/2-inch orifice automatic sprinklers located on 10-foot centers to cover 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet of nonfire- resistant belt with actuation temperatures between 200 and 230 degrees fahrenheit and with water pressure equal to or greater than 10 psi; to have automatic sprinklers located not more than 10 feet apart in order for the discharge of water to extend over the belt drive, belt take-up, electrical control, and gear reducing unit; and to conduct annual functional tests of each water sprinkler system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 5. Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation [Docket No. M-95-96-C] Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation, 9100 East Mineral Circle, Englewood, Colorado 80112 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.507 to its Cumberland Mine (I.D. No. 36-05018) located in Green County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use nonpermissible submersible pumps to dewater bleeder sumps or bleeder entries in order to provide unrestricted airflow into the return air shaft or through the return entries. The petitioner states that these pumps are designed to cease operation when the water level is 3 feet above the level of the pump motor and would operate on a 480-volt three-phase alternating current electrical power circuit with a resistor grounded wye transformer protected by a line power ground- fault, pilot combination unit; that proposed revisions for their training plan would be implemented and given to the District Manager for the area in which the pump and pump electrical controls are located; and that the training plan would specify task training for all selected mine electricians who will perform electrical work on the pumps. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 6. Cyprus Empire Corporation [Docket No. M-95-97-C] Cyprus Empire Corporation (previously Empire Energy Corporation), P.O. Box 68, Craig, Colorado 81626 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002 to its Eagle No. 5 Mine (I.D. No. 05- 01370) located in Moffat County, Colorado. The petitioner requests that Item 10 of MSHA's Proposed Decision and Order granting petition for modification, docket number M-84-263-C be amended. The petitioner states that it is imperative that as products meet flame resistance and other MSHA specifications, they become available for use instead of obsolete products; and that the request to amend the presently approved petition addresses this specific issue. 7. Mt. Top Coal Company [Docket No. M-95-98-C] Mt. Top Coal Company, 104 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City, Pennsylvania 17980 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.335 to its Buck Mt. Slope (I.D. No. 36-07359) located in Schuylkill 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 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. 8. Key West Mining, Inc. [Docket No. M-95-99-C] Key West Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 768, Grundy, Virginia 24614 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360 to its Mine No. 3 (I.D. No. 44-03264) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner requests relief from the standard requiring preshift examinations of underground conveyor belts in its entirety. The petitioner states that the area cannot be traveled safely due to deteriorating roof conditions in the No. 1 conveyor belt entry starting at a location approximately 170 feet from the surface and extending for a distance of approximately 90 feet. As an alternative, the petitioner proposes to visually examine the 90 feet area affected from both the inby and outby ends. The petitioner states that [[Page 39430]] application of the standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 9. Performance Coal Company [Docket No. M-95-100-C] Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 to its Upper Big Branch South Mine (I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. 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 would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard. 10. Performance Coal Company [Docket No. M-95-101-C] Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 to its Upper Big Branch South Mine (I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. 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 would the mandatory standard. 11. C.L.D., Inc. [Docket No. M-95-10-M] C.L.D., Inc., 2765 East 500 South, Vernal, Utah 84078 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.4760(a) to its Cowboy No. 1 and 2 Mine (I.D. No. 42-02096) located in Uintah County, Utah. The petitioner requests a variance from the mandatory safety standard because the mining methods used at its gilsonite mines do not provide a physical means to comply with the standard. The petitioner states that a gilsonite mine uses an open-trench method of mining and that the mines are connected to other mines and are self-ventilating. 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 September 1, 1995. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address. Dated: July 25, 1995. Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances. [FR Doc. 95-18947 Filed 8-1-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-43-P