Petitions for Modification

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. R. & D. Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-78-C]

R. & D. Coal Company, 214 Vaux Avenue, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.332(b)(1) &

(b)(2) (working sections and working places) to its Buck Mountain Slope

(I.D. No. 36-02053) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The

petitioner proposes to use air passing through inaccessible abandoned

workings and additional areas by mixing with the air in the intake

haulage slope to ventilate the only active workings section, to ensure

air quality by sampling intake air during preshift and on-shift

examinations, and to suspend mine production when air quality fails to

meet specified criteria. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

2. Jericol Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-79-C]

Jericol Mining, Inc., General Delivery, Holmes Mill, Kentucky 40843

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710

(canopies or cabs; electric face equipment) to its No. 2 Darby Mine

(I.D. No. 15-16627) located in Harlan County, Kentucky. Due to the

fluctuating height of the seam, the petitioner proposes to operate the

Simmons Rand Model 828 battery powered coal haulers and the Simmons

Rand 488 scoop without canopies. The petitioner asserts that compliance

with the mandatory standard would diminish the safety of miners.

3. Andalex Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-80-C]

Andalex Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 711, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.325(b) (air

quantity) to its Island Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17515) located in

Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the

standard to determine the volume of air at alternate locations on a

working section and in areas where mechanized mining equipment is being

installed or removed. The petitioner proposes to mine panels by driving

a set of entries a specified distance and then drive another set of

entries parallel and adjoining the first set; and to measure the air

volume in the panels at the location indicated on the diagram

accompanying the petition. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Andalex Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-81-C]

Andalex Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 711, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.360(c)(1)

(preshift examination) to its Island Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17515)

located in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to determine the volume of air at

alternate locations on a working section and in areas where mechanized

mining equipment is being installed or removed. The petitioner proposes

to mine panels by driving a set of entries a specified distance and

then drive another set of entries parallel and adjoining the first set;

and to measure the air volume in the panels at the location indicated

on the diagram accompanying the petition. The petitioner asserts that

the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure

of protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. Andalex Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-82-C]

Andalex Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 711, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362 (on-

shift examination) to its Island Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17515) located

in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of

the standard to determine the volume of air at alternate locations on a

working section and in areas where mechanized mining equipment is being

installed or removed. The petitioner proposes to mine panels by driving

a set of entries a specified distance and then drive another set of

entries parallel and adjoining the first set; and to measure the air

volume in the panels at the location indicated on the diagram

accompanying the petition. 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 July 17, 1995.

Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

Dated: June 7, 1995.

Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.

[FR Doc. 95-14672 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am]

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