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.

[[Page 70054]]

1. Energy Fuels Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-106-C]

Energy Fuels Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 459, 11190 County Road 92,

Florence, Colorado 91226 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 South Field Mine (I.D. No. 05-03455)

located in Fremont County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to use a

diesel generator to move equipment from section to section, and use a

roof bolter to rehabilitate remote areas of the mine. The petitioner

states that the genset is 480 vac three-phase, mounted and grounded to

a metal sled with an area of 60 square feet that is in contact with

damp mine floor at all times. The petitioner asserts that the proposed

alternative method will provide at least the same measure of protection

as the mandatory standard.

2. Wabash Mine Holding Company

[Docket No. M-1999-107-C]

Wabash Mine Holding Company, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street,

20th Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-1410 has filed a petition to

modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-

powered equipment; design and performance requirements) to its Wabash

Mine (I.D. No. 11-00877) located in Wabash County, Illinois. The

petitioner proposes to: (i) equip diesel graders with devices that will

limit the speed of the graders to 10 miles per hour; and (ii) train all

miners who operate the graders in the proper technique for lowering the

blade in order to restrict the speed and stop the grader. The

petitioner asserts that application of the standard will result in a

diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same

measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

3. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-108-C]

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

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1909(b)(6)

(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance

requirements) to its Deer Creek Mine (I.D. No. 42-00121) located in

Emery County, Utah, and Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No. 42-01211) located

in Carbon County, Utah. The petitioner proposes to: (i) install a

speedometer on diesel graders in order to limit the speed to 25 miles

per hour when operating graders in an underground coal mine or on the

surface of an underground coal mine; and (ii) train all miners who

operate the graders in the proper techniques for lowering the blade in

order to restrict the speed and stop the grader, proper gear selection

for grading, and proper speed for grading. The petitioner asserts that

the proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure

of protection as the mandatory standard.

4. Blue Mountain Energy, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-109-C]

Blue Mountain Energy, Inc., 3607 County Road, #65, Rangely,

Colorado 81648 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and

performance requirements) to its Deserado Mine (I.D. No. 05-03505)

located in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to: (i)

equip diesel graders with service brakes only on the four rear wheels;

(ii) install a device on the graders that will limit the speed to a

maximum of 15 miles per hour; and (iii) train personnel on proper

techniques for lowering the blade if additional slowing or stopping

capability is needed, and on proper travel speeds consistent with road

conditions. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

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

standard.

5. Black Beauty Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-110-C]

Black Beauty Coal Company, P.O. Box 176, Wheatland, Indiana 47597

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 1909(b)(6)

(nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and performance

requirements) to its Air Quality Mine (I.D. No. 12-02010) located in

Knox County, Indiana. The petitioner proposes to: (i) limit the maximum

speed of six-wheeled graders to less than 10 miles per hour; and (ii)

train grader operators to lower the moldboard for additional stopping

capability in emergency situations, and on how to recognize the

appropriate speeds to use on different roadway conditions and slopes.

The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will

provide at least the same measure of protection as the mandatory

standard.

6. Ohio County Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-111-C]

Ohio County Coal Company, 3740 North Main Street, Madisonville,

Kentucky 42431 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.1103 (automatic fire warning devices) to its Freedom Mine (I.D. No.

15-17587) located in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes

to use only one low-level carbon monoxide sensor where a belt drive

discharges into a belt conveyor tailpiece as a continuation of a belt

conveyor, or when the belt drive discharges at an angle onto the

conveyor belt system the discharge roller is within 50 feet of the

tailpiece, and the belt conveyor drive, belt take-up, and belt conveyor

tailpiece are on the same split of air. The petitioner proposes to

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

warning fire detection system in all belt entries where a monitoring

system identifies a sensor location, instead of identifying each belt

flight. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

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

standard.

7. Bledsoe Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-1999-112-C]

Bledsoe Coal Corporation, Route 2008, Box 351A, Big Laurel,

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

75.900 (low-medium-voltage circuits serving three-phase alternating

current equipment; circuit breakers) to its Mine No. 4 (I.D. No. 15-

11065), and Mine No. 60 (I.D. No. 15-12941) both located in Leslie

County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use contactors for

protection on circuit breakers instead of using under-voltage

protection and continue using short circuit protection by a circuit

breaker for interrupting retrips. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of

protection as the mandatory standard.

8. Mountain Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-113-C]

Mountain Coal Company, P.O. Box 591, 5174 Highway 133, Somerset,

Colorado 81434 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.1909(b)(6) (nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment; design and

performance requirements) to its West Elk Mine (I.D. No. 05-03672)

located in Gunnison County, Colorado. The petitioner proposes to: (i)

equip road graders with service brakes only on the four rear wheels in

order to limit the speed to a maximum of 15 miles per hour; and (ii)

train all personnel who operate the graders on the proper techniques

for lowering the blade if additional slowing or stopping capability is

needed. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

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

standard.

[[Page 70055]]

9. Snyder Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-114-C]

Snyder Coal Company, 66 Snyder Lane, Hegins, Pennsylvania 17938 has

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

(mine map) to its Rattling Run Mine (I.D. No. 36-08713) located in

Schuylkill 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 will provide at

least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

10. Wabash Mine Holding Company

[Docket No. M-1999-115-C]

Wabash Mine Holding Company, 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(b)(4) (weekly examination) to

its Wabash Mine (I.D. No. 11-00877) located in Wabash County, Illinois.

Due to deteriorating roof conditions, the petitioner asserts that to

inspect the seals in the required manner will be unsafe, the petitioner

proposes to establish a permanent monitoring station to monitor the air

for oxygen and methane after it passes the seals and links the

monitoring station to the mine-wide monitoring (DAN) system, and on a

weekly basis evaluate the air that passes the seals. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at least the

same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

11. Jim Walter Resources, Inc.

[Docket No. M-1999-116-C]

Jim Walter Resources, Inc., P.O. Box 133, Brookwood, Alabama 53444

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

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

underground) to its No. 4 Mine (I.D. No. 01-01247), Mine No. 5 Mine

(I.D. No. 01-01322), and Mine No. 7 (I.D. No. 01-01401) all located in

Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The petitioner proposes to use one 480-

volt, three-phase, 260KW/325KVA diesel powered generator set to supply

power to a 250 KVA three-phase transformer and three-phase power

circuits utilizing the specific terms and conditions listed in this

petition. The petitioner asserts that application of the mandatory

standard will result in a diminution of safety. In addition, the

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at

least the same measure of protection as the mandatory standard.

12. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-117-C]

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

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

courses and belt haulage entries) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No.

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

some of the requirements in the Decision and Order (D&O) for its

previously granted petition, docket number M-98-019-C, be amended

because the requirements have proven to be outdated due to changes in

circumstances that originally supported the terms and conditions of the

D&O. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will

provide at least the same measure of protection as the granted D&O and

will not result in a diminution of safety provided by the existing

standard.

13. Energy West Mining Company

[Docket No. M-1999-118-C]

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

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.352 (return

air courses) to its Trail Mountain Mine (I.D. No. 42-01211) located in

Emery County, Utah. The petitioner requests that some of the

requirements in the Decision and Order (D&O) for its previously granted

petition, docket number M-98-020-C, be amended because the requirements

have proven to be outdated due to changes in circumstances that

originally supported the terms and conditions of the D&O. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at

least the same measure of protection as the granted D&O and will not

result in a diminution of safety provided by the existing standard.

14. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-1999-119-C]

Consolidation Coal Company, Consol Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

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

application of 30 CFR 75.312(c) (main mine fan examinations and

records) to its Shoemaker Mine (I.D. No. 46-01436) located in Marshall

County, West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to test automatic

closing doors and automatic fan signal devices every 31 days without

shutting down the fan and without removing miners from the mine. The

petitioner has listed in this petition specific procedures for

complying with the alternative method. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method will provide at least the same measure of

protection as the mandatory standard.

15. Knox Creek Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-1999-120-C]

Knox Creek Coal Corporation, P.O. Box 519, Raven, Virginia 24639

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

courses and belt haulage entries) to its Tiller No. 1 Mine (I.D. No.

44-06804) located in Buchanan County, Virginia. The petitioner proposes

to use belt air to ventilate active working places. The petitioner

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

early warning fire detection system in all belt entries used as intake

air courses. The petitioner asserts that application of the standard

will result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will provide at

least the same measure of protection as 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 January 14,

2000. Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that

address.

Dated: December 6, 1999.

Carol J. Jones,

Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.

[FR Doc. 99-32494 Filed 12-14-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-P