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. E & E Fuels

[Docket No. M-95-110-C]

E & E Fuels, P.O. Box 322, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 has filed a

petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.340 to its Orchard

Slope (I.D. No. 36-08346) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

The petitioner proposes to charge batteries on the mine's locomotive

during idle periods when all miners are out of the mine and to have

intake air used to ventilate the charging station to continue through

the normal route to the last open crosscut and into the monkey airway

(return). The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the

mandatory standard.

2. Solar Sources Underground L.L.C.

[Docket No. M-95-111-C]

Solar Sources Underground L.L.C., P.O. Box 325, Monroe City,

Indiana 47557 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.1700 to its Monroe City Mine (I.D. No. 12-02103) located in Knox

County, Indiana. 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.

3. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-112-C]

Peabody Coal Company, 1951 Barrett Court, P.O. Box 1990, Henderson,

Kentucky 42420-1990 has filed a petition to modify the application of

30 CFR 75.342(a)(2) to its Camp No. 11 Mine (I.D. No. 15-08357) located

in Union County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to have alternative

locations for two additional methane monitors in the longwall face area

of the longwall shearing machine instead of using a single methane

monitor. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the

mandatory standard.

4. Continuous Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-113-C]

Continuous Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 239, Edgarton, West Virginia

25672 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710

to its Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-07891) located in Mingo County, West

Virginia. The petitioner operates its bridge haulage equipment

manufactured for use in extremely low-seam mines and built without

operator compartments or canopies. The petitioner proposes to operate

this haulage equipment without canopies due to the frequent tearing out

of roof bolts when tramming through dips and crests of hills in the

coal seam being mined. The petitioner states that the use of canopies

would expose the equipment operator to greater hazards than those

incurred by operating without operator compartments and canopies.

5. Mystic Energy, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-114-C]

Mystic Energy, Inc., 130 George Street, Suite J, Beckley, West

Virginia 25801 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.364(b)(1) to its B. L. Mining No. 3 Mine (I.D. No. 46-07139) located

in Boone County, West Virginia. Due to deteriorating roof conditions in

the intake air course, the area cannot be traveled safely. The

petitioner proposes to examine approximately 3,000 feet of the intake

air course in the No. 4 Entry by checking the inby and outby ends of

the affected area and to monitor for methane and the quantity and

quality of air. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative

method would provide at least the same measure of protection as would

the mandatory standard.

6. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-115-C]

Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(1) to its Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-

01436) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. Due to deteriorating

roof and rib conditions in the intake airway from the Seabright Shaft

to the No. 8 Seal in 4 North, the area cannot be traveled safely. The

petitioner proposes to establish check points J and K to monitor the

affected area and to have a certified person examine the area for

methane and the quantity of air at both check points on a weekly basis;

and to have the certified person initial and record the date, time, and

results of the weekly examinations in a book kept on the surface and

made available for inspection by interested persons. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at

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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 October 10, 1995.

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

Dated: August 29, 1995.

Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.

[FR Doc. 95-22263 Filed 9-7-95; 8:45 am]

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