[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37176-37177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15701]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification
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. Anker West Virginia Mining Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2003-038-C]
Anker West Virginia Mining Company, Inc., 22 Hampton Road,
Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1) (Weekly examination) to its Spruce
Fork Mine No. 1 (MSHA I.D. No. 46-08622) located in Upshur County, West
Virginia. The petitioner proposes to establish an evaluation point to
be examined weekly to monitor quality, quantity and direction of air
flow through the A Mains intake air course starting at spad 428 and
ending at spad 388, a distance of 3100 feet (Hereinafter ``A Mains air
course''). The evaluation point will be established at the inby end of
this intake air course near spad 388 to test for methane accumulation,
oxygen deficiency, quantity of air and for the proper direction of air
flow. The results of these tests will be recorded in a book provided on
the surface. The petitioner states that a pre-shift examination of the
belt side of the intake stopping line separating the belt from the
intake air course will be made every 8 hours, and any hazardous
conditions found will be recorded in a book provided on the surface.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed
[[Page 37177]]
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
2. Rivers Edge Mining, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2003-039-C]
Rivers Edge Mining, Inc., 1970 Barrett Court, PO Box 1990,
Henderson, Kentucky 42419-1990 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (Nonpermissible diesel-powered
equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Rivers Edge Mine
(MSHA I.D. No. 46-08890) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The
petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to allow
the mine to use the Getman Diesel grader underground with rear wheel
brakes only. The petitioner proposes to: (i) Limit the diesel grader
speed to 10 miles per hour maximum; (ii) physically block higher gear
ratios on the Getman diesel grader in order to limit the speed to 10
miles per hour maximum; and (iii) provide training to the grader
operators on how to drop the grader blade in the event the brakes fail
and the machine needs to be stopped. The petitioner states that the
modification will provide the same protection that is realized from the
current standard in that the grader can be stopped using the blade as a
brake system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
existing standard.
3. Pine Ridge Coal Corporation
[Docket No. M-2003-040-C]
Pine Ridge Coal Company, 1970 Barrett Court, P.O. Box 1990,
Henderson, Kentucky 42420 has filed a petition to modify the
application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (Nonpermissible diesel-powered
equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Big Mountain No.
16 Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 46-07908) located in Boone County, West
Virginia. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing
standard to allow the mine to use the Getman Diesel grader underground
with rear wheel brakes only. The petitioner proposes to: (i) Limit the
diesel grader speed to 10 miles per hour maximum; (ii) physically block
higher gear ratios on the Getman diesel grader in order to limit the
speed to 10 miles per hour maximum; and (iii) provide training to the
grader operators on how to drop the grader blade in the event the
brakes fail and the machine needs to be stopped. The petitioner states
that the modification will provide the same protection that is realized
from the current standard in that the grader can be stopped using the
blade as a brake system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
4. R & D Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2003-041-C]
R & D Coal Company, 214 Vaux Avenue, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981
has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.311(b)(2)
and (b)(3) (Main mine fan operation) to its Buck Mountain Slope Mine
(MSHA I.D. No. 36-02053) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
The petitioner requests a modification of the existing standard to
permit the electrical circuits entering the underground mine to remain
energized to the mine's pumps, while the main fan has been
intentionally shut down during idle shifts when no miners are working
underground. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same measure of protection as the
existing standard.
5. Orchard Coal Company, Inc.
[Docket No. M-2003-042-C]
Orchard Coal Company, Inc., 214 Vaux Avenue, Tremont, Pennsylvania
17981 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR
75.311(b)(2) and (b)(3) (Main mine fan operation) to its Orchard Slope
Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 36-08346) located in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the electrical circuits entering the underground
mine to remain energized to the mine's pumps, while the main fan has
been intentionally shut down during idle shifts when no miners are
working underground. The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
6. Canyon Fuel Company, LLC
[Docket No. M-2003-043-C]
Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, PO Box 1029, Wellington, Utah 84542 has
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and
gas wells) to its Dugout Canyon Mine (MSHA I.D. No. 42-01890) located
in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to allow mining through one abandoned gas well (Drill
Hole No. TD-3). The petitioner has listed specific procedures in this
petition 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.
Request for Comments
Persons interested in these petitions are encouraged to submit
comments via e-mail to [email protected], or on a computer disk along
with an original hard copy to the Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 1100 Wilson
Boulevard, Room 2352, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All comments must be
postmarked or received in that office on or before July 23, 2003.
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.
Dated at Arlington, Virginia this 13th day of June 2003.
Marvin W. Nichols, Jr.,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 03-15701 Filed 6-20-03; 8:45 am]
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