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. Lodestar Energy

[Docket No. M-98-28-C]

Lodestar Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 448, Clay, Kentucky 42404 has filed

a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503 (permissible

electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Baker Mine (I.D. No. 15-

14492) located in Webster County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to

use 750 feet of No. 6 cable on Fletcher single boom roof bolters. The

petitioner states that the proposed alternative method will not result

in 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.

2. Joliett Coal Company

[Docket No. M-98-29-C]

Joliett Coal Company, 837 East Grand Avenue, Tower City,

Pennsylvania 17980 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30

CFR 75.1400 (hoisting equipment; general) to its No. 3 Vein Slope (I.D.

No. 36-08702) located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The

petitioner proposes to use a slope conveyance (gunboat) in transporting

persons without installing safety catches or other no less effective

devices but instead using an increased rope strength/safety factor and

secondary safety rope connection in place of such devices. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

3. Lone Mountain Processing, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-30-C]

Lone Mountain Processing, Inc., P.O. Box 40, Pennington Gap,

Virginia 24277 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.1103-4 (automatic fire sensor and warning device systems;

installation; minimum requirements) to its Darby Fork Mine No. 1 (I.D.

No. 15-02263), and its Huff Creek Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-17234) both

located in Harlan County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use belt

air to ventilate active working places. The petitioner proposes to

install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system in belt entries as

an early warning fire detection system. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. Freeman United Coal Mining Co.

[Docket No. M-98-31-C]

Freeman United Coal Mining Company, 1999 Wabash Avenue, Suite 200B,

Springfield, Illinois 62704-5364 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 Crown II

Mine (I.D. No. 11-02236) located in Macoupin County, Illinois. The

petitioner proposes to use 2,400 volt A.C. cables and equipment inby

the last open crosscut within 150 feet of gob areas so that they can be

used to power continuous mining equipment. The petitioner asserts that

the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure

of protection as would the mandatory standard.

5. Mettiki Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-98-32-C]

Mettiki Coal Corporation, 293 Table Rock Road, Oakland, Maryland

21550 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 Mettiki Mine (I.D. No. 18-00621) located in

Garrett County, Maryland. The petitioner proposes to use 4,300 volt

cables on high-voltage longwall electric equipment used within 150 feet

from pillar workings (longwall gob). The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. Sea ``B'' Mining Company

[Docket No. M-98-33-C]

Sea ``B'' Mining Company, P.O. Box 7, Dante, Virginia 24237 has

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 1710-1(a)

(canopies or cabs; self-propelled diesel-powered and electric face

equipment; installation requirements) to its Silver Creek Mine (I.D.

No. 44-16895) located in Tazewell County, Virginia. The petitioner

proposes to operate self-propelled electric face equipment without

canopies because of the mining heights less than 46 inches at the

Silver Creek Mine. The petitioner asserts that application of the

standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

7. Mettiki Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-98-34-C]

Mettiki Coal Corporation, 293 Table Rock Road, Oakland, Maryland

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1726(a)

(performing work from a raised position; safeguards) to its Mettiki

Mine (I.D. No. 18-00621) located in Garrett County, Maryland. The

petitioner proposes to use a specially modified scoop as an elevated

mobile work platform. The petitioner asserts 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.

[[Page 29035]]

8. Lone Mountain Processing, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-35-C]

Lone Mountain Processing, Inc., P.O. Box 40, Pennington Gap,

Virginia 24277 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.350 (air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Huff Creek No. 1

Mine (I.D. No. 15-17234), and its Darby Fork Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 15-

02263) both located in Harlan County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes

to use belt air to ventilate working sections. The petitioner proposes

to install a low-level carbon monoxide detection system as an early

warning fire detection system in belt entries. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

9. Performance Coal Company

[Docket No. M-98-36-C]

Performance Coal Company, P.O. Box 69, Naoma, West Virginia 25140

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

courses and belt haulage entries) to its Upper Big Branch Mine-South

(I.D. No. 46-08436) located in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The

petitioner proposes to use an alternative method of ventilation that

would not separate the belt haulage entry from the intake air course,

nor limit the velocity of the air coursed through the belt haulage

entry, nor prohibit the use of such air for ventilation of active

working places. The petitioner proposes to install a low-level carbon

monoxide 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.

10. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.

[Docket No. M-98-37-C]

CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc., Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

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

application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water sprinkler systems; arrangement

of sprinklers) to its Motts Branch Mine (I.D. No. 15-18012) located in

Knott County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a single line of

automatic sprinklers for its fire protection system on the main and

secondary belt conveyors at the Motts Branch Mine. 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 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, 4015

Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments

must be postmarked or received in that office on or before June 26,

1998. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that

address.

Dated: May 18, 1998.

Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.

[FR Doc. 98-14003 Filed 5-26-98; 8:45 am]

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