Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 34699-34701 [2017-15673]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2017 / Notices
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deficiency, conduct tests of air flow,
perform electrical work, repair
energized surface high-voltage lines,
and perform duties of hoisting engineer.
The recorded information is necessary
to ensure that only persons who are
properly trained and have the required
number of years of experience are
permitted to perform these duties.
MSHA does not specify a format for the
recordkeeping; however, it normally
consists of the names of the certified
and qualified persons listed in two
columns on a sheet of paper. One
column is for certified persons and the
other is for qualified persons.
Sections 75.100 and 77.100 pertain to
the certification of certain persons to
perform specific examinations and tests.
Sections 75.155 and 77.105 outline the
requirements necessary to be qualified
as a hoisting engineer or hoistman. Also,
under Sections 75.160, 75.161, 77.107
and 77.107–1, the mine operator must
have an approved training plan
developed to train and retrain the
qualified and certified persons to
effectively perform their tasks.
These standards recognize State
certification and qualification programs.
However, where State programs are not
available, MSHA may certify and
qualify persons.
Under this program MSHA will
continue to qualify or certify
individuals as long as these individuals
meet the requirements for certification
or qualification, fulfill any applicable
retraining requirements, and remain
employed at the same mine or by the
same independent contractor.
Applications for Secretarial
qualification or certification are
submitted to the MSHA Qualification
and Certification Unit in Denver,
Colorado. MSHA Form 5000–41, Safety
& Health Activity Certification or
Hoisting Engineer Qualification Request
provides the coal mining industry with
a standardized reporting format that
expedites the certification and
qualification process while ensuring
compliance with the regulations. MSHA
uses the form’s information to
determine if applicants satisfy the
requirements to obtain the certification
or qualification sought. Persons must
meet certain minimum experience
requirements depending on the type of
certification or qualification.
II. Desired Focus of Comments
MSHA is soliciting comments
concerning the proposed information
collection related to Certification and
Qualification to Examine, Test, Operate
Hoists and Perform Other Duties. MSHA
is particularly interested in comments
that:
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• Evaluate whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information has practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of MSHA’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
• Suggest methods to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
The information collection request
will be available on https://
www.regulations.gov. MSHA cautions
the commenter against providing any
information in the submission that
should not be publicly disclosed. Full
comments, including personal
information provided, will be made
available on www.regulations.gov and
www.reginfo.gov.
The public may also examine publicly
available documents at USDOL-Mine
Safety and Health Administration, 201
12th South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, VA
22202–5452. Sign in at the receptionist’s
desk on the 4th floor via the East
elevator.
Questions about the information
collection requirements may be directed
to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
notice.
III. Current Actions
This request for collection of
information contains provisions for
Certification and Qualification to
Examine, Test, Operate Hoists and
Perform Other Duties. MSHA has
updated the data with respect to the
number of respondents, responses,
burden hours, and burden costs
supporting this information collection
request.
Type of Review: Extension, without
change, of a currently approved
collection.
Agency: Mine Safety and Health
Administration.
OMB Number: 1219–0127.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit.
Number of Respondents: 957.
Frequency: On occasion.
Number of Responses: 4,590.
Annual Burden Hours: 465 hours.
Annual Respondent or Recordkeeper
Cost: $77.
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34699
MSHA Forms: MSHA Form 5000–41,
Safety and Health Activity Certification
or Hoisting Engineers Qualification
Request Form.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget approval of the
information collection request; they will
also become a matter of public record.
Sheila McConnell,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017–15672 Filed 7–25–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of
Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standards
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice is a summary of
petitions for modification submitted to
the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the parties
listed below.
DATES: All comments on the petitions
must be received by MSHA’s Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances
on or before August 25, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your
comments, identified by ‘‘docket
number’’ on the subject line, by any of
the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: zzMSHAcomments@dol.gov. Include the docket
number of the petition in the subject
line of the message.
2. Facsimile: 202–693–9441.
3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery:
MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th
Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington,
Virginia 22202–5452, Attention: Sheila
McConnell, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
Persons delivering documents are
required to check in at the receptionist’s
desk in Suite 4E401. Individuals may
inspect copies of the petitions and
comments during normal business
hours at the address listed above.
MSHA will consider only comments
postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or
proof of delivery from another delivery
service such as UPS or Federal Express
on or before the deadline for comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202–693–
9447 (Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov
SUMMARY:
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34700
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2017 / Notices
(Email), or 202–693–9441 (Facsimile).
[These are not toll-free numbers.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977 and Title 30 of the
Code of Federal Regulations Part 44
govern the application, processing, and
disposition of petitions for modification.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
I. Background
Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine
Act) allows the mine operator or
representative of miners to file a
petition to modify the application of any
mandatory safety standard to a coal or
other mine if the Secretary of Labor
determines that:
1. An alternative method of achieving
the result of such standard exists which
will at all times guarantee no less than
the same measure of protection afforded
the miners of such mine by such
standard; or
2. That the application of such
standard to such mine will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners in
such mine.
In addition, the regulations at 30 CFR
44.10 and 44.11 establish the
requirements and procedures for filing
petitions for modification.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M–2017–013–C.
Petitioner: Texas Westmoreland Coal
Company, P.O. Box 915, Jewett, Texas
75846.
Mine: Jewett Mine, MSHA I.D. No.
41–03164, located in Leon County,
Texas.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.803
(Fail safe ground check circuits on highvoltage resistance grounded systems).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard for use of a special procedure
when the dragline boom/mast is raised
or lowered during necessary repairs/
dismantling. The petitioner states that:
(1) Texas Westmoreland Coal
Company realizes that some stages of
assembly/disassembly of draglines
require special consideration when the
boom/mast is raised/lowered into
position. The boom is raised/lowered
utilizing the on board motor generator
sets. This is critical because, during the
process, power to the machine must not
be interrupted. Power loss conditions
may result in the boom becoming
uncontrolled, falling, and resulting in
possible injuries to workers. To address
this condition, the following guidelines
will be implemented to help prevent
loss of power to the machine. This
procedure only addresses raising/
lowering the boom on draglines
utilizing the machines electrical
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Jkt 241001
onboard motor generator sets. It does
not replace other mechanical
precautions or the requirements of 30
CFR 77.803 that are necessary to safely
secure booms/masts during construction
or maintenance procedures.
(2) The following is a procedure for
‘‘boom raising’’ or ‘‘boom lowering’’ at
Texas Westmoreland Coal Company’s
Jewett Mine. During this period of
construction/maintenance, the machine
will not be performing mining
operations. This procedure would also
be applicable in instances of
disassembly or maj9or maintenance
which requires the boom to be raised/
lowered. The following guidelines will
be followed to minimize the potential
for electrical power loss during this
critical boom procedure.
(3) The procedure would most likely
only be used during disassembly or
major maintenance. Major maintenance
requiring the raising/lowering of the
boom/mast would only be performed on
an as-needed basis, which could span
long periods of time. Therefore, training
and review of the procedure would only
be conducted prior to this need. At such
time, all persons involved in the
procedure would be trained or
retrained.
(a) Texas Westmoreland Coal
Company employees, its contractors,
and affected persons will be trained on
the requirements of the procedure at the
Jewett Mine.
(b) The procedure will be coordinated
by Texas Westmoreland Coal
Company’s Production Superintendent
and, if present, the contractor’s
representative will assist. Two (2)
MSHA qualified electricians will be
present at all times during the
procedure.
(c) The procedure will limit the
number of persons required on board
the machine. An MSHA-qualified
electrician, dragline operator, and the
dragline oiler will be permitted on the
machine. Texas Westmoreland Coal
Company’s production Superintendent
and contractor’s representative may
either be on board or at a location on the
ground to assist in the coordination.
(d) The affected area under the boom
will be secured to prevent persons from
entering and/or contacting the frame of
the machine during the boom raising/
lowering. The area will be secured and
only those persons identified in
paragraph 3 above will be permitted
inside the secured area. At no time will
anyone be permitted under the boom or
close to the boom.
(e) Communication between the
dragline operator, the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the dragline, the MSHAqualified electrician at the substation,
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Texas Westmoreland Coal Company’s
Production Superintendent, and the
contractor’s representative, if present,
will be by a dedicated channel on the
company’s two-way radio.
(f) An MSHA-qualified electrician
will complete an examination of all
electrical components that will be
energized. The examination will be
done within two (2) hours prior to the
boom raising/lowering process. A record
of this examination will be made and
available to interested parties. The
machine will be de-energized to perform
this examination.
(g) After the examination has been
completed, the electrical components
necessary to complete the boom raising/
lowering process will be energized to
ensure they are operating properly as
determined by an MSHA-qualified
electrician. When the above is
completed, the machine will be deenergized and locked out.
(h) The ground fault and ground
check circuits will be disabled
provided:
1. The internal ground conductor of
the trailing cable has been tested and is
continuous from the frame of the
dragline to the grounding resistor
located at the substation. Utilizing the
ground check circuit and disconnecting
the pilot circuit at the machine frame
and verifying the circuit breaker cannot
be closed will be an acceptable test.
Resistance measurements can also be
used to test the ground conductor. The
grounding resistor will be tested to
assure it is properly connected, is not
open, or is not shorted.
2. Normal short circuit protection will
be provided at all times. The over
current relay setting may be increased
up to 100 percent above its normal
setting.
(i) During the boom raising/lowering
procedure, an MSHA-qualified
electrician will be positioned at the
substation to monitor the grounding
circuit. The MSHA- qualified electrician
at the substation will at all times
maintain communications with an
MSHA qualified electrician at the
dragline. If a grounded phase condition
or an open ground wire should occur
during the process, the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the substation will notify
the MSHA-qualified electrician at the
dragline. All persons on board the
machine must be aware of the condition
and must remain on board the machine.
The boom must be lowered to the
ground or controlled and the electrical
circuit de-energized, locked and tagged
out. The circuit must remain deenergized until the condition is
corrected. The ground fault and ground
check circuits will be reinstalled prior
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 26, 2017 / Notices
to re-energizing and testing the
machine. Once circuits have been tested
and no adverse conditions are present,
the boom raising/lowering procedure as
outlined above will be resumed.
(j) During this construction/
maintenance procedure, persons cannot
get on/off the dragline while the ground
fault ground check circuits are disabled
unless the circuit to the dragline is deenergized, locked and tagged out as
verified by the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the substation.
(k) After the boom raising/lowering is
completed, the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the substation will restore
all the protective devices to their normal
state. When this has been completed,
the MSHA-qualified electrician at the
substation will notify the MSHAqualified electrician at the dragline that
all circuits are in their normal state. At
this time, normal work procedures can
begin.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will
always guarantee the miners affected no
less than the same measure of protection
afforded by the existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2017–002–M.
Petitioner: Martin Marietta Materials,
Midwest Division, 11252 Aurora
Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50322.
Mine: Fort Calhoun Underground
Mine, 5765 County Road P 30, Fort
Calhoun, Nebraska 68023, MSHA I.D
No. 25–01300, located in Washington
County, Nebraska.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR
57.11052(d) (Refuge areas).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative
method of compliance to permit use of
bottled water in refuge areas in lieu of
waterlines. The petitioner states that:
(1) The Fort Calhoun Underground
Mine will soon be developing two
parallel decline tunnels to access an
identified limestone reserve near Fort
Calhoun, Nebraska. The decline tunnels
will each be approximately 3,200 feet in
length. The tunnels will be spaced
roughly 155 feet horizontally between
tunnel center lines. Two cross passages
are planned to connect the two parallel
tunnels during development. The Fort
Calhoun Underground Mine will
provide a portable prefabricated refuge
chamber in each of the two decline
tunnels for the purpose of barricading in
the event of a mine emergency.
(2) The petitioner seeks modification
of 30 CFR 57.11052(d) specifically with
the standard’s directive that refuge areas
be provided with waterlines. The Fort
Calhoun Underground Mine will
provide waterlines to each of the two
aforementioned refuge chambers;
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17:49 Jul 25, 2017
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however, the installed waterlines will
not support a potable water supply.
(3) In lieu of a plumbed potable water
supply, potable water will be provided
in each of the two refuge chambers in
the form of commercially purchased
bottled water in sealed bottles.
(4) The two planned portable refuge
chambers to be used underground at the
Fort Calhoun Underground Mine are
each designed to sustain 20 miners for
a period of 36 hours under battery
backup power. These prefabricated
refuge chambers will, at all times, be
equipped with waterlines being directly
fed from the surface. The waterline
supplied to the refuge chamber will not
be a source of potable water for miners
taking refuge. The reliability of source
water quality and volume being fed to
the chambers is jeopardized considering
water transmission line will be installed
in a mining environment and inherently
susceptible to mechanical damage or
restriction in the event of a mine
emergency. Sourcing of water from a
surface reservoir to the refuge chambers
is affected by climate conditions on the
surface. Adversely cold surface
temperatures could restrict or cut off the
supply of water to the refuge chambers
resulting in a diminution of safety. Addin contaminants (industrial or bacteria)
in piped-in water results in a
diminution of safety for the miners.
(5) Potable water will be provided in
each of the chambers in the form of
commercially purchased bottled water
in sealed bottles. Each of the two
chambers will be provided with a
minimum of 2.25 quarts of potable
drinking water per person, per day.
Considering that each of the chambers
are designed to support 20 miners for a
period of 36 hours, each chamber will
be outfitted with a minimum of 67.5
quarts or 2160 ounces of commercially
purchased potable drinking water in
sealed bottles. Provisioned water will
have a maximum shelf life of 2 years.
The condition and quantity of stored
water will be confirmed by monthly
inspections. Written instructions for
conservation of water will also be
provided within the refuge chambers for
reference.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will at all
times guarantee no less than the same
measure of protection afforded by the
existing standard.
Sheila McConnell,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations,
and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2017–15673 Filed 7–25–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520–43–P
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34701
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of
Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standards
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice is a summary of
petitions for modification submitted to
the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the parties
listed below.
DATES: All comments on the petitions
must be received by MSHA’s Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances
on or before August 25, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your
comments, identified by ‘‘docket
number’’ on the subject line, by any of
the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: zzMSHAcomments@dol.gov. Include the docket
number of the petition in the subject
line of the message.
2. Facsimile: 202–693–9441.
3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery:
MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th
Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington,
Virginia 22202–5452, Attention: Sheila
McConnell, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
Persons delivering documents are
required to check in at the receptionist’s
desk in Suite 4E401. Individuals may
inspect copies of the petitions and
comments during normal business
hours at the address listed above.
MSHA will consider only comments
postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or
proof of delivery from another delivery
service such as UPS or Federal Express
on or before the deadline for comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202–693–
9447 (Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov
(Email), or 202–693–9441 (Facsimile).
[These are not toll-free numbers.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and
Health Act of 1977 and Title 30 of the
Code of Federal Regulations part 44
govern the application, processing, and
disposition of petitions for modification.
SUMMARY:
I. Background
Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine
Act) allows the mine operator or
representative of miners to file a
petition to modify the application of any
mandatory safety standard to a coal or
E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34699-34701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15673]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standards
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice is a summary of petitions for modification
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the
parties listed below.
DATES: All comments on the petitions must be received by MSHA's Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before August 25, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: zzMSHA-comments@dol.gov. Include the docket
number of the petition in the subject line of the message.
2. Facsimile: 202-693-9441.
3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401,
Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452, Attention: Sheila McConnell, Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances. Persons delivering
documents are required to check in at the receptionist's desk in Suite
4E401. Individuals may inspect copies of the petitions and comments
during normal business hours at the address listed above.
MSHA will consider only comments postmarked by the U.S. Postal
Service or proof of delivery from another delivery service such as UPS
or Federal Express on or before the deadline for comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9447 (Voice),
barron.barbara@dol.gov
[[Page 34700]]
(Email), or 202-693-9441 (Facsimile). [These are not toll-free
numbers.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety
and Health Act of 1977 and Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of
petitions for modification.
I. Background
Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) allows the mine operator or representative of miners to file
a petition to modify the application of any mandatory safety standard
to a coal or other mine if the Secretary of Labor determines that:
1. An alternative method of achieving the result of such standard
exists which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners of such mine by such standard; or
2. That the application of such standard to such mine will result
in a diminution of safety to the miners in such mine.
In addition, the regulations at 30 CFR 44.10 and 44.11 establish
the requirements and procedures for filing petitions for modification.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M-2017-013-C.
Petitioner: Texas Westmoreland Coal Company, P.O. Box 915, Jewett,
Texas 75846.
Mine: Jewett Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 41-03164, located in Leon County,
Texas.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.803 (Fail safe ground check circuits
on high-voltage resistance grounded systems).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard for use of a special procedure when the dragline
boom/mast is raised or lowered during necessary repairs/dismantling.
The petitioner states that:
(1) Texas Westmoreland Coal Company realizes that some stages of
assembly/disassembly of draglines require special consideration when
the boom/mast is raised/lowered into position. The boom is raised/
lowered utilizing the on board motor generator sets. This is critical
because, during the process, power to the machine must not be
interrupted. Power loss conditions may result in the boom becoming
uncontrolled, falling, and resulting in possible injuries to workers.
To address this condition, the following guidelines will be implemented
to help prevent loss of power to the machine. This procedure only
addresses raising/lowering the boom on draglines utilizing the machines
electrical onboard motor generator sets. It does not replace other
mechanical precautions or the requirements of 30 CFR 77.803 that are
necessary to safely secure booms/masts during construction or
maintenance procedures.
(2) The following is a procedure for ``boom raising'' or ``boom
lowering'' at Texas Westmoreland Coal Company's Jewett Mine. During
this period of construction/maintenance, the machine will not be
performing mining operations. This procedure would also be applicable
in instances of disassembly or maj9or maintenance which requires the
boom to be raised/lowered. The following guidelines will be followed to
minimize the potential for electrical power loss during this critical
boom procedure.
(3) The procedure would most likely only be used during disassembly
or major maintenance. Major maintenance requiring the raising/lowering
of the boom/mast would only be performed on an as-needed basis, which
could span long periods of time. Therefore, training and review of the
procedure would only be conducted prior to this need. At such time, all
persons involved in the procedure would be trained or retrained.
(a) Texas Westmoreland Coal Company employees, its contractors, and
affected persons will be trained on the requirements of the procedure
at the Jewett Mine.
(b) The procedure will be coordinated by Texas Westmoreland Coal
Company's Production Superintendent and, if present, the contractor's
representative will assist. Two (2) MSHA qualified electricians will be
present at all times during the procedure.
(c) The procedure will limit the number of persons required on
board the machine. An MSHA-qualified electrician, dragline operator,
and the dragline oiler will be permitted on the machine. Texas
Westmoreland Coal Company's production Superintendent and contractor's
representative may either be on board or at a location on the ground to
assist in the coordination.
(d) The affected area under the boom will be secured to prevent
persons from entering and/or contacting the frame of the machine during
the boom raising/lowering. The area will be secured and only those
persons identified in paragraph 3 above will be permitted inside the
secured area. At no time will anyone be permitted under the boom or
close to the boom.
(e) Communication between the dragline operator, the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the dragline, the MSHA-qualified electrician at the
substation, Texas Westmoreland Coal Company's Production
Superintendent, and the contractor's representative, if present, will
be by a dedicated channel on the company's two-way radio.
(f) An MSHA-qualified electrician will complete an examination of
all electrical components that will be energized. The examination will
be done within two (2) hours prior to the boom raising/lowering
process. A record of this examination will be made and available to
interested parties. The machine will be de-energized to perform this
examination.
(g) After the examination has been completed, the electrical
components necessary to complete the boom raising/lowering process will
be energized to ensure they are operating properly as determined by an
MSHA-qualified electrician. When the above is completed, the machine
will be de-energized and locked out.
(h) The ground fault and ground check circuits will be disabled
provided:
1. The internal ground conductor of the trailing cable has been
tested and is continuous from the frame of the dragline to the
grounding resistor located at the substation. Utilizing the ground
check circuit and disconnecting the pilot circuit at the machine frame
and verifying the circuit breaker cannot be closed will be an
acceptable test. Resistance measurements can also be used to test the
ground conductor. The grounding resistor will be tested to assure it is
properly connected, is not open, or is not shorted.
2. Normal short circuit protection will be provided at all times.
The over current relay setting may be increased up to 100 percent above
its normal setting.
(i) During the boom raising/lowering procedure, an MSHA-qualified
electrician will be positioned at the substation to monitor the
grounding circuit. The MSHA- qualified electrician at the substation
will at all times maintain communications with an MSHA qualified
electrician at the dragline. If a grounded phase condition or an open
ground wire should occur during the process, the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the substation will notify the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the dragline. All persons on board the machine must be
aware of the condition and must remain on board the machine. The boom
must be lowered to the ground or controlled and the electrical circuit
de-energized, locked and tagged out. The circuit must remain de-
energized until the condition is corrected. The ground fault and ground
check circuits will be reinstalled prior
[[Page 34701]]
to re-energizing and testing the machine. Once circuits have been
tested and no adverse conditions are present, the boom raising/lowering
procedure as outlined above will be resumed.
(j) During this construction/maintenance procedure, persons cannot
get on/off the dragline while the ground fault ground check circuits
are disabled unless the circuit to the dragline is de-energized, locked
and tagged out as verified by the MSHA-qualified electrician at the
substation.
(k) After the boom raising/lowering is completed, the MSHA-
qualified electrician at the substation will restore all the protective
devices to their normal state. When this has been completed, the MSHA-
qualified electrician at the substation will notify the MSHA-qualified
electrician at the dragline that all circuits are in their normal
state. At this time, normal work procedures can begin.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
always guarantee the miners affected no less than the same measure of
protection afforded by the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2017-002-M.
Petitioner: Martin Marietta Materials, Midwest Division, 11252
Aurora Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50322.
Mine: Fort Calhoun Underground Mine, 5765 County Road P 30, Fort
Calhoun, Nebraska 68023, MSHA I.D No. 25-01300, located in Washington
County, Nebraska.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 57.11052(d) (Refuge areas).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit an alternative method of compliance to
permit use of bottled water in refuge areas in lieu of waterlines. The
petitioner states that:
(1) The Fort Calhoun Underground Mine will soon be developing two
parallel decline tunnels to access an identified limestone reserve near
Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. The decline tunnels will each be approximately
3,200 feet in length. The tunnels will be spaced roughly 155 feet
horizontally between tunnel center lines. Two cross passages are
planned to connect the two parallel tunnels during development. The
Fort Calhoun Underground Mine will provide a portable prefabricated
refuge chamber in each of the two decline tunnels for the purpose of
barricading in the event of a mine emergency.
(2) The petitioner seeks modification of 30 CFR 57.11052(d)
specifically with the standard's directive that refuge areas be
provided with waterlines. The Fort Calhoun Underground Mine will
provide waterlines to each of the two aforementioned refuge chambers;
however, the installed waterlines will not support a potable water
supply.
(3) In lieu of a plumbed potable water supply, potable water will
be provided in each of the two refuge chambers in the form of
commercially purchased bottled water in sealed bottles.
(4) The two planned portable refuge chambers to be used underground
at the Fort Calhoun Underground Mine are each designed to sustain 20
miners for a period of 36 hours under battery backup power. These
prefabricated refuge chambers will, at all times, be equipped with
waterlines being directly fed from the surface. The waterline supplied
to the refuge chamber will not be a source of potable water for miners
taking refuge. The reliability of source water quality and volume being
fed to the chambers is jeopardized considering water transmission line
will be installed in a mining environment and inherently susceptible to
mechanical damage or restriction in the event of a mine emergency.
Sourcing of water from a surface reservoir to the refuge chambers is
affected by climate conditions on the surface. Adversely cold surface
temperatures could restrict or cut off the supply of water to the
refuge chambers resulting in a diminution of safety. Add-in
contaminants (industrial or bacteria) in piped-in water results in a
diminution of safety for the miners.
(5) Potable water will be provided in each of the chambers in the
form of commercially purchased bottled water in sealed bottles. Each of
the two chambers will be provided with a minimum of 2.25 quarts of
potable drinking water per person, per day. Considering that each of
the chambers are designed to support 20 miners for a period of 36
hours, each chamber will be outfitted with a minimum of 67.5 quarts or
2160 ounces of commercially purchased potable drinking water in sealed
bottles. Provisioned water will have a maximum shelf life of 2 years.
The condition and quantity of stored water will be confirmed by monthly
inspections. Written instructions for conservation of water will also
be provided within the refuge chambers for reference.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will at
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection
afforded by the existing standard.
Sheila McConnell,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2017-15673 Filed 7-25-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
