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. Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-47-C]

Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc., P.O. Box 2046, Inez, Kentucky 41224

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901

(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used

underground) to its Voyager Mine Number Two (I.D. No. 15-17639) located

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

the standard to allow the use of a 150 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial

Number 94-E5913. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific

terms, conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when

using the diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

2. Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-48-C]

Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc., P.O. Box 2046, Inez, Kentucky 41224

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901

(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used

underground) to its Pilgrim Mine Number Three (I.D. No. 15-17359)

located in Martin County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to allow the use of a 100 K W Diesel

Generator Set, Serial Number 90-E5260. The petitioner has outlined in

this petition specific terms, conditions, and safety procedures that

would be followed when using the diesel generator system. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

3. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-49-C]

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

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901

(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used

underground) to its Pegasus Mine (I.D. No. 15- 17330) located in Martin

County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the

standard to allow the use of a 150 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial

Number 94-E5913. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific

terms, conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when

using the diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-50-C]

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

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901

(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used

underground) to its 1-C Mine (I.D. No. 15-03752) located in Martin

County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the

standard to allow the use of a 150 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial

Number 94-E5913. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific

terms, conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when

using the diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-51-C]

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

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901

(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used

underground) to its White Cabin Mine Number One (I.D. No. 15-17531)

located in Martin County,

[[Page 38786]]

Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to

allow the use of a 150 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial Number 94-

E5913. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific terms,

conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when using the

diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-52-C]

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

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701 (grounding

metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric equipment)

to its Pegasus Mine (I.D. No. 15-17330) located in Martin County,

Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to

allow the use of a 100 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial Number 90-

E5260. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific terms,

conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when using the

diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

7. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-53-C]

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

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701

(grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric

equipment) to its White Cabin Mine Number One (I.D. No. 15-17531)

located in Martin County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to allow the use of a 100 K W Diesel

Generator Set, Serial Number 90-E5260. The petitioner has outlined in

this petition specific terms, conditions, and safety procedures that

would be followed when using the diesel generator system. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

8. Martin County Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-54-C]

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

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701

(grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric

equipment) to its 1-C Mine (I.D. No. 15-03752) located in Martin

County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the

standard to allow the use of a 100 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial

Number 90-E5260. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific

terms, conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when

using the diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

9. Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-55-C]

Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc., P.O. Box 2046, Inez, Kentucky 41224

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701

(grounding metallic frames, casings, and other enclosures of electric

equipment) to its Pilgrim Mine Number Three (I.D. No. 15-17359) located

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

the standard to allow the use of a 150 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial

Number 94-E5913. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific

terms, conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when

using the diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

10. Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-56-C]

Pilgrim Mining Company, Inc., P.O. Box 2046, Inez, Kentucky 41224

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.701 to its

Voyager Mine Number Two (I.D. No. 15-17639) located in Martin County,

Kentucky. The petitioner requests a modification of the standard to

allow the use of a 150 K W Diesel Generator Set, Serial Number 94-

E5913. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific terms,

conditions, and safety procedures that would be followed when using the

diesel generator system. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

11. Garrett Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-57-C]

Garrett Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 262, Toler, Kentucky 41569 has filed

a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and

belt haulage entries) to its No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 15-08079) located in

Pike County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use belt haulage

entries as intake air courses for ventilation of active working places.

The petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring 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.

12. Windsor Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-58-C]

Windsor Coal Company, P.O. Box 39, West Liberty, West Virginia

26074 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1700

(oil and gas wells) to its Windsor Mine (I.D. No. 46-01286) located in

Brooke County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to clean out and

plug oil and gas wells using specific techniques and procedures as

outlined in the petition. The petitioner proposes to mine through the

plugged oil or gas well. Prior to mining through, the petitioner would

confer with the MSHA District Manager for approval of the specific

mining procedures, and appropriate officials would be allowed to

observe the process and all mining would be under the direct

supervision of a certified official. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

13. Cyprus Plateau Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-59-C]

Cyprus Plateau Mining Corporation, Buchanan Ingersoll Professional

Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 20th Floor,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.364(a)(1) (weekly examination) to its Star

Point No. 2 Mine (I.D. No. 42-00171) located in Carbon County, Utah.

Due to deteriorating roof conditions in certain parts of the mine near

the Lion Portal and in the Middle Seam/Mudwater, traveling that portion

of the return air course would be unsafe. The petitioner proposes to

establish four evaluation points to monitor the methane, and air

quantity measurements in the worked-out areas; to travel the worked-out

areas to the point of deepest penetration; to maintain the evaluation

points in safe condition; and to have a certified person evaluate the

worked-out areas at each evaluation point on a weekly basis in order to

identify any potential hazards. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

[[Page 38787]]

14. Shell Energy Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-60-C]

Shell Energy Company, Inc., P.O. Box 423, Fairmont, West Virginia

26554 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380

(d)(3) and (d)(4) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its

Stacey-Meranda Mine (I.D. No. 46-08086) located in Harrison County,

West Virginia. Due to adverse roof conditions, the post and cribs

cannot be removed. The petitioner proposes to use the No. 2 conveyor

belt entry as an alternate escape. The petitioner proposes to post

luminous warning signs ``DANGER CLOSE CLEARANCE'' at each end of the

affected area so that in the event of a fire disabled persons can be

transported through the affected area safely; to provide the required

clearance if technology becomes available to remove the post and cribs;

and to have the mine on a blowing system without power installation in

the intake escapeway. The petitioner states that the proposed

alternative method would enhance safety and reduce exposure to

hazardous conditions for mine personnel.

15. Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-61-C]

Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation, RD 3, Box 184, Waynesburg,

Pennsylvania 15370 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.351(b)(2)(i) (atmospheric monitoring system (AMS)) to its

Cumberland Mine (I.D. No. 36-05018) located in Greene County,

Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to install a methane monitor on

the tailgate side of the longwall face that would automatically

deenergize the longwall face equipment at the stage loader when the

methane sensor is not operating properly, instead of using a tailgate

methane sensor; and within 60 days after petition for modification is

granted submit proposed revisions for its Part 48 training plan to the

Coal Mine Safety and Health District Manager. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

16. Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-62-C]

Cyprus Cumberland Resources Corporation, RD 3, Box 184, Waynesburg,

Pennsylvania 15370 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Cumberland

Mine (I.D. No. 36-05018) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The

petitioner requests a modification of its previously granted petition,

docket number M-84-218-C for 30 CFR 75.326 (now 75.350), to permit the

velocity of air in the belt conveyor entries to be increased above 300

feet per minute (fpm). The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

17. Enlow Fork Mining Company

[Docket No. M-96-63-C]

Enlow Fork Mining Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

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

application of 30 CFR 75.503 (Schedule 2G, Section 18.35) (permissible

electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Enlow Fork Mine (I.D. No.

46-07416) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner

proposes to increase the maximum length of the loading machine, shuttle

car, roof bolter, and section ventilation fan trailing cables to 900

feet while developing four-entry longwall panels; to provide training

before alternative method is implemented to all miners designated to

examine the integrity of seals and verify the short-circuit settings

and proper procedures for examining trailing cables for damage; and to

submit proposed revisions for their Part 48 training plan to the Coal

Mine Safety and Health District Manager. The petitioner asserts that

the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure

of protection as would the mandatory standard.

18. West Cameron Mining

[Docket No. M-96-64-C]

West Cameron Mining, RD #2, Box 630, Shamokin, Pennsylvania 17872

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1100

(quantity and location of firefighting equipment) to its Lenig Tunnel

(I.D. No. 36-08288) 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.

19. West Cameron Mining

[Docket No. M-96-65-C]

West Cameron Mining, RD #2, Box 630, Shamokin, Pennsylvania 17872

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

(i) (mine map) to its Lenig Tunnel (I.D. No. 36-08288) located in

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use

cross-sections instead of contour 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

tunnel. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

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

mandatory standard.

20. West Cameron Mining

[Docket No. M-96-66-C]

West Cameron Mining, RD #2, Box 630, Shamokin, Pennsylvania 17872

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a)

(temporary notations, revisions, and supplements) to its Lenig Tunnel

(I.D. No. 36-08288) 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.

21. West Cameron Mining

[Docket No. M-96-67-C]

West Cameron Mining, RD #2, Box 630, Shamokin, Pennsylvania 17872

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1405

(automatic couplers) to its Lenig Tunnel (I.D. No. 36-08288) located in

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to use bar

and pin or link and pin couplers on its underground haulage equipment.

The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would

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

standard.

22. Ember Contracting, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-68-C]

Ember Contracting, Inc., Box 446, Betsy Lane, Kentucky 41605 has

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342 (methane

monitors) to its No. 5 Mine (I.D. No. 15-16727) located in Knott

County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use hand-held continuous-

duty methane oxygen indicators instead of machine mounted

[[Page 38788]]

methane monitors on its permissible DC powered scoop haulage machines.

The petitioner states that this petition is based on the safety of the

miners involved and not primarily on economic standpoints.

23. Cyprus Emerald Resources Corporation

[Docket No. M-96-69-C]

Cyprus Emerald Resources Corporation, 145 Elm Drive, Waynesburg,

Pennsylvania 15370 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.507 (power connection points) to its Emerald No. 1 Mine (I.D.

No. 36-05466) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner

proposes to use a non-permissible pump in the longwall bleeder sump

located near the No. 3 Bleeder shaft, No. 6 Return shaft, and all

future and/or bleeder shafts as they are developed. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the

same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

24. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-96-70-C]

Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

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

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

Loveridge No. 22 Mine (I.D. No. 46-01433) located in Marion County,

West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to uses a high-voltage cable

with an internal ground check conductor smaller than No. 10 (A.W.G.) as

a part of its longwall mining system. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

25. Genwal Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-96-71-C]

Genwal Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 1420, Huntington, Utah 84528 has

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air

courses and belt haulage entries) to its Crandall Canyon Mine (I.D. No.

42-01715) located in Emery County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to use

belt air in a two-entry mining system. The petitioner proposes to

install low-level carbon monoxide sensors as an early warning fire

detection system in the intake escapeway entry and the belt entry. The

petitioner states that 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.

26. North American Salt Company

[Docket No. M-96-01-M]

North American Salt Company, P.O. Box 10, Lydia, Louisiana 70569

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 57.22215(b)(1)

to its Cote Blanche Underground Salt Mine (I.D. No. 16-00358) located

in St. Mary County, Louisiana. The petitioner requests a modification

of the standard to allow the use of flexible ventilation tubing in

lengths greater than 250 feet. The petitioner states that 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.

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 August 26, 1996.

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

Dated: July 18, 1996.

Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.

[FR Doc. 96-18947 Filed 7-24-96; 8:45 am]

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