Petitions for Modification

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

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. Amax Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-116-C]

Amax Coal Company, 9100 East Mineral Circle, Englewood, Colorado

80112 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its Wabash Mine (I.D. No. 11-

00877) located in Wabash County, Illinois. Due to deteriorating roof

and rib conditions and accumulations of water in certain areas of the

return air course, the area cannot be traveled safely. The petitioner

proposes to establish evaluation points to monitor the affected area.

The evaluation points would be established at crosscut #76 at the 3

South/4 East connection to monitor the air entering the Old 3 South/4

East and 5 East from the 3 South/4 East connection point and the Main

South, and at crosscuts #186 and #196 in the Main south to monitor the

air exiting the area; to have a certified person test for methane and

the quantity of air at each station on a weekly basis and to record

their initials, date, time, and results of the 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 least the same measure of protection as would the

mandatory standard.

2. Snyder Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-117-C]

Snyder Coal Company, R.D. #2, Box 93, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1200(d) &

(i) (mine map) to its N & L Slope (I.D. No. 36-02203) located in

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use

cross-sections instead of contour lines through the intake slope, at

locations of rock tunnel connections between veins, and at 1,000-foot

intervals of advance from the intake slope and to limit the required

mapping of mine workings above and below to those present within 100

feet of the veins being mined except when veins are interconnected to

other veins beyond the 100-foot limit through rock tunnels. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

3. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-118-C]

Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.804(a) (underground high- voltage cables) to

its Robinson Run No. 95 Mine (I.D. No. 46- 01318) located in Harrison

County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use high-voltage

cables (4,160-volts) with an internal ground check conductor smaller

than No. 10 A.W.G as a part of its longwall mining system. The type of

cables would be CABLEC/BICC Anaconda brand, 5kV, 3/C, Type SHD+GC;

Amercable Tiger brand, 3/C, 5kV, Type SHD-CGC; Pirelli 5kV, 3/C, Type

SHD- CENTER-GC; or similar 5,000-volt cable with a center ground check

conductor, but otherwise manufactured to the ICEA Standard S-75- 381

for Type SHD, three-conductor cables. The petitioner states that the

cable construction would be symmetrical 3/C, 3/G, and 1/GC; that the

ground check conductor would be an insulated flexible center conductor

with a cross-sectional area not less than 1,800 circular mils; that all

personnel who perform maintenance on the longwall would receive

training in the installation and repair of the cable before the

alternative method is implemented; and that proposed revisions for its

approved 30 CFR Part 48 training plan would be submitted to the Coal

Mine Safety and Health District Manager within 60 days after a decision

has been made on this petition and that these revisions would specify

task training, including review of the above terms and conditions for

the miners affected. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Doverspike Bros. Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-119-C]

Doverspike Bros. Coal Company, Inc., R.D. #4, Box 271,

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania 15767 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.380(d)(4) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite

mines) to its Dora No. 6 Mine (I.D. No. 36-06583) located in Jefferson

County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to maintain an alternate

escapeway that would have a travelway with a minimum width of four feet

and a total of 350 lineal feet instead of the required six-foot-wide

escapeway. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

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

mandatory standard.

5. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-120-C]

Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.804(a)

(underground high-voltage cables) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No.

42-01211) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests a

modification to its previously granted petition, docket number M-94-

107-C, to use the Cablec Anaconda Brand 5KV 3/C type SHD+GC, Pirelli

5KV 3/C type SHD-Center-GC, or Tiger Brand 5KV type SHC-CGC on high-

voltage longwall equipment, to include its new Trail Mountain Mine. The

petitioner states that the Trail Mountain Mine is an extension of the

Cottonwood Mine (I.D. No. 42-01944) with similar mining conditions and

that mine personnel and mining equipment are systematically being

transferred to this new mine as mining reserves are depleted. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

6. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-95-121-C]

Energy West Mining Company, P.O. Box 310, Huntington, Utah 84528

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a)

(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Trail Mountain

Mine (I.D. No. 42-01211) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner

requests a modification to its previously granted petition, docket

number M-91-092-C, to use fire extinguishers instead of rock dust at

temporary electrical installations, to include its new Trail Mountain

Mine. The petitioner states that the Trail Mountain Mine is an

extension of the Cottonwood Mine (I.D. No. 42-01944) with similar

mining conditions and that mine personnel and mining equipment are

systematically being transferred to this new mine as mining reserves

are depleted. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative

method would provide at

[[Page 52218]]

least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

7. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-122-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.332(b)(1) and (b)(2) (working sections and working places) to

its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland 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 working

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.

8. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-123-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.335 (construction of seals) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-

08447) located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner

requests a modification of the standard to permit alternative methods

of construction using wooden materials of moderate size and weight due

to the difficulty in accessing previously driven headings and breasts

containing inaccessible abandoned workings; to accept a design criteria

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.

9. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-124-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.340 (underground electrical installations) to its No. 1 Slope

(I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The

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

during idle periods when all miners have been removed from the mine and

to allow the intake air used to ventilate the charging stations,

located at the No. 1 chute of the active gangway level, to continue

through its 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.

10. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-125-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.360 (preshift examination) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-

08447) located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner

proposes to visually examine each seal for physical damage from the

slope gunboat during the preshift examination after an air quantity

reading is taken in by the intake portal and to test for the quantity

and quality of air at the intake air split locations off the slope in

the gangway portion of the working section. The petitioner proposes to

physically examine the entire length of the slope once a month. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

11. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-126-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.364(b) (1), (4) and (5) (weekly examination) to its No. 1 Slope

(I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Due

to hazardous conditions and roof falls, certain areas of the intake

haulage slope and primary escapeway cannot be traveled safely. The

petitioner proposes to examine these areas from the gunboat/slope car

with an alternative air quality evaluation at the section's intake

level, and to travel and throughly examine these areas for hazardous

conditions once a month. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

12. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-127-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.1002-1 (location of other electric equipment; requirements for

permissibility) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use

nonpermissible electric equipment within 150 feet of the pillar line

and to suspend equipment operation anytime the methane concentration at

the equipment reaches 0.5 percent, either during operation or during a

pre-shift examination. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

13. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-128-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.1100-2 (quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its

No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in Northumberland County,

Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use only portable fire

extinguishers to replace existing requirements where rock dust, water

cars, and other water storage are not practical. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

14. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-129-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.1200 (d) & (i) (mine map) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447)

located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes

to use cross-sections instead of contour lines through the intake

slope, at locations of rock tunnel connections between veins, and at

1,000-foot intervals of advance from the intake slope and to limit the

required mapping of the mine workings above and below to those present

within 100 feet of the veins being mined except when veins are

interconnected to other veins beyond the 100-foot limit through rock

tunnels. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

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

mandatory standard.

15. H & S Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-130-C]

H & S Coal Company, 534 Melrose Street, Marion Heights,

Pennsylvania 17832 has filed a petition to modify the

[[Page 52219]]

application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a) (temporary notations, revisions, and

supplements) to its No. 1 Slope (I.D. No. 36-08447) located in

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to revise

and supplement mine maps annually instead of every 6 months, as

required, and to update maps daily by hand notations. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the

same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

16. Performance Coal Company

[Docket No. M-95-131-C]

Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 89, Naoma, West Virginia 25140

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002

(location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables

and transformers) to its Upper Big Branch South Mine (I.D. No. 46-

08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The petitioner

proposes to use high-voltage (4,160 volts) cables to power longwall

equipment. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

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

mandatory standard.

17. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-95-132-C and M-95-133-C]

Martin County Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 5002, Inez, Kentucky 41224

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-4(a)

(automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; installation;

minimum requirements) to its Pegasus Mine (I.D. No. 15-17330) and its

White Cabin Mine Number One (I.D. No. 15-17531), both located in Martin

County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the

standard to allow that the mine not be required at all times to

specifically identify the belt flight from which a sensor indicates a

possible fire. The petitioner states that its present system consists

of a series of enhanced safety factors of rapid and effective

communications and rapid response in the event of an activation of an

automatic fire warning device and safe, direct, and effective means of

evacuation of underground mines. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

18. Pilgrim Mining Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-134-C through M-95-136-C]

Pilgrim Mining Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 2046, Inez, Kentucky

41224 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1103-

4(a) (automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; installation;

minimum requirements) to its Voyager Mine Number One (I.D. No. 15-

17585); its Voyager Mine Number Two (I.D. No. 15-17639); and its

Pilgrim Mine Number Three (I.D. No. 17359), all located in Martin

County, Kentucky. Petitioner requests a modification of the standard to

allow that the mine not be required at all times to specifically

identify the belt flight from which a sensor indicates a possible fire.

The petitioner states that its present system consists of a series of

enhanced safety factors of rapid and effective communications and rapid

response in the event of an activation of an automatic fire warning

device and safe, direct, and effective means of evacuation of

underground mines. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative

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

the mandatory standard.

19. National King Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-95-137-C]

National King Coal, Inc., 4424 County Road 120, Hesperus, Colorado

81326 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.380(d)(4)(ii) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its King

Coal Mine (I.D. No. 05-00266) located in La Plata County, Colorado. The

petitioner proposes to have a secondary escapeway that passes through

an 80-inch diameter metal culvert for a distance of about 20 feet

running lengthwise and a row of supplemental roof support down the

center, limiting the width of the secondary escapeway to about 40

inches on each side of the roof supports instead of the required 48

inches; to post signs in the secondary escapeway area leading to the

metal culvert area that would read ``Caution--Close Clearance''; and to

provide training for all existing and future underground employees on

the existence of the narrow length of the escapeway, and the methods

and practices of carrying a stretcher through a 40-inch opening. 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 November 6, 1995.

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

Dated: September 27, 1995.

Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.

[FR Doc. 95-24743 Filed 10-4-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-P