Petitions for Modification, 31861-31863 [E7-11131]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 110 / Friday, June 8, 2007 / Notices
Mine: Intrepid Underground Potash
Mine, (MSHA I.D. No. 29–00175),
located in Eddy County, New Mexico.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 57.18028
(Mine emergency and self-rescuer
training). Modification Request: The
petitioner proposes to use 10-Minute
(Oeanco M–20 or equivalent) and 60Minute Self-Contained Self-Rescuers
(SCSRs) in its Underground Potash
Mine outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico
to comply with the New Mexico State
Mining Act. The petitioner states that
the miner would wear the M–20 units
(MSHA rated at 10 minutes) on their
person and a 60-Minute unit (the SR–
100, EBA 6.5 or equivalent MSHA rated
for 60 minutes) on their vehicles or
equipment. The units would be located
within 200 to 500 feet or 5 minutes
maximum of the employee. The
petitioner further states that: (1) The
alternative to the M–20 type are bulky
and heavy units that would expose
miners to additional risk; and (2) all
training on the Ocenco M–20 and the SR
100 will be conducted according to
manufacturer’s recommendations and
applicable MSHA and New Mexico
State standards. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method
would provide at least the same
measure of protection as the existing
standard.
Docket Number: M–2007–004-M.
Petitioner: Intrepid Potash NM, LLC,
P.O. Box 101, Carlsbad, New Mexico
88220.
Mine: Intrepid Underground Potash
Mine, (MSHA I.D. No. 29–00170),
located in Lea County, New Mexico.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 57.18028
(Mine emergency and self-rescuer
training). Modification Request: The
petitioner proposes to use 10–Minute
(Oeanco M–20 or equivalent) and 60–
Minute Self-Contained Self-Rescuers
(SCSRs) in its Underground Potash
Mine outside of Carlsbad, New Mexico
to comply with the New Mexico State
Mining Act. The petitioner states that
the miner would wear the M–20 units
(MSHA rated at 10 minutes) on their
person and a 60–Minute unit (the SR–
100, EBA 6.5 or equivalent MSHA rated
for 60 minutes) on their vehicles or
equipment. The units would be located
within 200 to 500 feet or 5 minutes
maximum of the employee. The
petitioner further states that: (1) The
alternative to the M–20 type are bulky
and heavy units that would expose
miners to additional risk; and (2) all
training on the Ocenco M–20 and the SR
100 will be conducted according to
manufacturer’s recommendations and
applicable MSHA and New Mexico
State standards. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method
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would provide at least the same
measure of protection as the existing
standard.
Dated: June 1, 2007.
Jack Powasnik,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. E7–11129 Filed 6–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of petitions for
modification of existing mandatory
safety standards.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal
Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and
30 CFR part 44 govern the application,
processing, and disposition of petitions
for modification. This notice is a
summary of petitions for modification
filed by the parties listed below to
modify the application of existing
mandatory safety standards published
in Title 30 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
DATES: Comments on the petitions must
be received by the Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances on or before
July 9, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your
comments, identified by ‘‘docket
number’’ on the subject line, by any of
the following methods:
1. E-Mail: StandardsPetitions@dol.gov.
2. Telefax: 1–202–693–9441.
3. Hand-Delivery or Regular Mail:
Submit comments to the Mine Safety
and Health Administration (MSHA),
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 2349, Arlington, Virginia 22209,
Attention: Patricia W. Silvey, Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances.
We 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.
Individuals who submit comments by
hand-delivery are required to check in
at the receptionist desk on the 21st
floor.
Individuals may inspect copies of the
petitions and comments during normal
business hours at the address listed
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edward Sexauer, Chief, Regulatory
PO 00000
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31861
Development Division at 202–693–9444
(Voice), sexauer.edward@dol.gov (Email), or 202–693–9441 (Telefax), or
contact Barbara Barron at 202–693–9447
(Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov (Email), or 202–693–9441 (Telefax).
[These are not toll-free numbers].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 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 modifications.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M–2007–022–C.
Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company,
57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine,
(MSHA I.D. No. 36–09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1100–
2 (a)(2) (Quantity and location of
firefighting equipment).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard 30 CFR 75.1100–2(a)(2), which
requires that each working section of
underground coal mines producing less
than 300 tons of coal per shift be
provided with specified firefighting
equipment and supplies. The equipment
and supplies include two portable fire
extinguishers, 240 pounds of rock dust
in bags or other suitable containers, and
at least 500 gallons of water and at least
3 pails of 10 quart capacity. The
petitioner proposes to use portable fire
extinguishers only, to replace existing
requirements where rock dust, water
cars, and other water storage equipped
with three 10 quart pails are not
practical. The petitioner states that
equipping its small anthracite mine
with two portable fire extinguishers
near the slope bottom and an additional
portable fire extinguisher within 500
feet of the working face will provide
equivalent fire protection. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at
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least the same measure of protection as
the existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2007–023–C.
Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company,
57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine,
(MSHA I.D. No. 36–09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1200
(d) & (i) (Mine map).
Modification Request: 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. In addition, the petitioner
proposes to limit the required mapping
of the mine workings above and below
to those present within 100 feet of the
vein being mined, except when veins
are interconnected to other veins
beyond the 100-foot limit through rock
tunnels. The petitioner states that
contours provide no useful information
due to the steep pitch encountered in
mining anthracite coal veins, and their
presence would make portions of the
map illegible. The petitioner further
states that use of cross-sections in lieu
of contour lines has been practiced
since the late 1800’s and provides
critical information about the spacing
between veins and the proximity to
other mine workings, which fluctuate
considerably. Additionally, the
petitioner states that the mine workings
above and below are usually inactive
and abandoned, and therefore not
subject to changes during the life of the
mine. The petitioner states that all
mapping for mines above and below are
researched by its contract engineer for
the presence of interconnecting rock
tunnels between veins in relation to the
mine and a hazard analysis is done
when mapping indicates the presence of
known or potentially flooded workings.
The petitioner asserts that when
evidence indicates that prior mining
was conducted on a vein above or below
and research exhausts the availability of
mine mapping, the vein will be
considered to be mined and flooded and
appropriate precautions will be taken
under 30 CFR 75.388, where possible.
Where potential hazards exist and inmine drilling capabilities limit
penetration, petitioner will drill surface
boreholes to intercept the mine
workings and will analyze the results
prior to mining in the affected area. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method would provide at
least the same measure of protection as
the existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2007–024–C.
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Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company,
57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine,
(MSHA I.D. No. 36–09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202
and 30 CFR 75.1202–1(a) (Temporary
notations, revisions, and supplements.
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the required interval
of survey to be established annually in
of lieu every 6 months. The petitioner
proposes to update the mine map by
hand notations on a daily basis, conduct
subsequent surveys prior to
commencing retreat mining, and when
either a drilling program under 30 CFR
75.388 or plan for mining into
accessible areas under 30 CFR 75.389 is
required. The petitioner states that: (1)
Low production and slow rate of
advance in anthracite mining make
surveying on 6 month intervals
impractical and, in most cases, annual
development is frequently limited to
less than 500 feet of gangway advance
with associated up-pitch development;
(2) the majority of small anthracite
mines are using non-mechanized, handloading mining methods; (3)
development above the active gangway
is designed to mine into the level above
at designated intervals thereby
maintaining sufficient control between
both surveyed gangways; and (4) the
available engineering/surveyor
resources are very limited in anthracite
coal fields which makes surveying
difficult to achieve. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative
method would provide at least the same
measure of protection as the existing
standard.
Docket Number: M–2007–025–C.
Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company,
57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine,
(MSHA I.D. No. 36–09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400
(c) (Hoisting equipment; general).
Modification Request: The petitioner
proposes to use the slope (gunboat) to
transport persons in shafts and slopes
using an increased rope strength/safety
factor and secondary safety rope
connection instead of using safety
catches or other no less effective
devices. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would
provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2007–026–C.
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Petitioner: Blue Diamond Coal
Company, P.O. Box 47, Slemp,
Kentucky 41763.
Mine: Mine # 77, (MSHA I.D. No. 15–
09636), located in Perry County,
Kentucky.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR
75.364(b)(2) (Weekly examination).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit check points to be
established in nine (9) locations to
examine certain areas of the return air
course. The petitioner states that: (1)
Due to hazardous roof and rib
conditions, and the distance from active
workings and the age of these workings,
it is impractical to expose personnel to
the roof and rib hazards in the affected
areas; and (2) to ensure no lesser degree
of safety for all personnel in the mine,
ventilation check points will be
established to measure the air in the
affected areas. The petitioner proposes
to: (1) Establish air measurement
stations at locations that will allow
effective evaluation of ventilation in the
affected areas. The measurements will
be conducted by a certified person on a
weekly basis, and a sign will be posted
designating the location of measuring
stations; (2) all air measurement stations
will be maintained in safe condition at
all times; (3) the date, time and results
of these measurements will be recorded
in a book kept on the surface or on a
date board provided at each measuring
station, and made accessible to all
parties; (4) signs will be posted in an
adjacent travel entry that will indicate
the safe travel route to each monitoring
station; (5) evaluations will be
conducted by a certified person at each
of the monitoring stations on a weekly
basis that will include the quantity and
quality of air entering or exiting the
monitoring station. The measurements
will be made using the MSHA approved
and calibrated hand-held multi-gas
detectors to check for methane and
oxygen gas concentrations and
appropriate calibrated anemometers to
check air flow volume; (6) a diagram
maintained in legible condition will be
posted at the monitoring stations that
will show the normal direction of the air
flow, and any change in the direction of
the air flow will be reported to the mine
foreman for immediate investigation; (7)
the date, time, and examiner’s initials,
and the measured quantity and quality
of air will be recorded in a book or on
a date board and will be provided at the
monitoring stations; (8) the monitoring
station location(s) will be shown on the
annually submitted mine ventilation
map and the stations will not be moved
to another location without prior
approval by the District Manager as part
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of the Ventilation Plan for the Bottom
Split Slope Mine; and (9) all mine
personnel will receive instructions on
which areas they are not permitted to
travel, and all other approaches will be
fenced off or barricaded with ‘‘DO NOT
ENTER’’ warning signs. Entry in the
affected area will only be permitted to
conduct investigations and to correct
problems with the air flow that is
detected through the monitoring
process. This work will be done under
the supervision of an authorized person.
The petitioner has listed additional
procedures in this petition that will be
used to comply compliance to the
proposed alternative method.
Individuals may review a complete
description of the procedures at the
MSHA address listed in this notice. The
petitioner asserts that this petition will
provide no lesser degree of safety for the
personnel at the Mine # 77.
Dated: June 1, 2007.
Jack Powasnik,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. E7–11131 Filed 6–7–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
[Docket No. OSHA–2007–0048]
Grantee Quarterly Progress Report;
Extension of the Office of Management
and Budget’s (OMB) Approval of
Information Collection (Paperwork)
Requirements
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comment.
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AGENCY:
SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public
comments concerning its proposal to
extend OMB approval of the
information collection requirements
contained in the Grantee Quarterly
Progress Report required by Section 21
of the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970 (the ‘‘OSH Act’’) (29 U.S.C.
670).
DATES: Comments must be submitted
(postmarked, sent, or received) by
August 7, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by any of the following methods:
Electronically: You may submit
comments and attachments
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, which is the
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the
instructions online for submitting
comments.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
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Facsimile: If your comments,
including attachments, are not longer
than 10 pages, you may fax them to the
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693–1648.
Mail, hand delivery, express mail,
messenger, or courier service: When
using this method, you must submit
three copies of your comments and
attachments to the OSHA Docket Office,
Docket No. OSHA–2007–0048, U.S.
Department of Labor, Room N–2625,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20210. Deliveries
(hand, express mail, messenger, and
courier service) are accepted during the
Department of Labor’s and Docket
Office’s normal business hours, 8:15
a.m.–4:45 p.m., e.t.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the Agency name and OSHA
docket number for this ICR (Docket No.
OSHA–2007–0048). All comments,
including any personal information you
provide, are placed in the public docket
without change, and may be made
available online at https://
www.regulations.gov. For further
information on submitting comments
see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading
in the section of this notice titled
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Docket: To read or download
comments or other material in the
docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov
or the OSHA Docket Office at the
address above. All documents in the
docket (including this Federal Register
notice) are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index; however,
some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to
read or download through the Web site.
All submissions, including copyrighted
material, are available for inspection
and copying at the OSHA Docket Office.
You also may contact Cynthia Bencheck
at the address below to obtain a copy of
the ICR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cynthia Bencheck, Division of Training
and Educational Programs, OSHA Office
of Training and Education, 2020 S.
Arlington Heights Road, Arlington
Heights, Illinois 60005; telephone: (847)
297–4810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Department of Labor, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork
and respondent (i.e., employer) burden,
conducts a preclearance consultation
program to provide the public with an
opportunity to comment on proposed
and continuing information collection
requirements in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program
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31863
ensures that information is in the
desired format, reporting burden (time
and costs) is minimal, collection
instruments are clearly understood, and
OSHA’s estimate of the information
collection burden is accurate. The
Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (the OSH Act) authorizes
information collection by employers as
necessary or appropriate for
enforcement of the OSH Act or for
developing information regarding the
causes and prevention of occupational
injuries, illnesses, and accidents (29
U.S.C. 657).
Section 21 of the OSH Act (29 U.S.C.
670) authorizes OSHA to conduct
directly, or through grants and
contracts, education and training
courses. These courses must ensure an
adequate number of qualified personnel
to fulfill the purposes of the OSH Act,
provide them with short-term training,
inform them of the importance and
proper use of safety and health
equipment, and train employers and
employees to recognize, avoid, and
prevent unsafe and unhealthful working
conditions.
Under Section 21, OSHA awards
training grants to nonprofit
organizations to provide part of the
required training. The Agency requires
organizations that receive these grants to
submit quarterly progress reports that
provide information on their grantfunded training activities; these reports
allow OSHA to monitor the grantee’s
performance and to determine if an
organization is using grant funds as
specified in its grant application.
Accordingly, the Agency compares the
information provided in the quarterly
progress report to the quarterly
milestones proposed by the organization
in the work plan and budget that
accompanied the grant application. This
information includes: Identifier data
(organization name and grant number);
the date and location where the training
occurred; the length of training (hours);
the number of employees and employers
attending training sessions provided by
the organization during the quarter; a
description of the training provided; a
narrative account of grant activities
conducted during the quarter; and an
evaluation of progress regarding
planned versus actual work
accomplished. This comparison permits
OSHA to determine if the organization
is meeting the proposed program goals
and objectives, and spending funds in
the manner described in the proposed
budget.
Requiring these reports on a quarterly
basis enables OSHA to identify work
plan, training, and expenditure
discrepancies in a timely fashion so that
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 110 (Friday, June 8, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31861-31863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11131]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of petitions for modification of existing mandatory
safety standards.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of
1977 and 30 CFR part 44 govern the application, processing, and
disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of
petitions for modification filed by the parties listed below to modify
the application of existing mandatory safety standards published in
Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
DATES: Comments on the petitions must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before July 9, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
1. E-Mail: Standards-Petitions@dol.gov.
2. Telefax: 1-202-693-9441.
3. Hand-Delivery or Regular Mail: Submit comments to the Mine
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2349,
Arlington, Virginia 22209, Attention: Patricia W. Silvey, Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
We 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. Individuals
who submit comments by hand-delivery are required to check in at the
receptionist desk on the 21st floor.
Individuals may inspect copies of the petitions and comments during
normal business hours at the address listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Sexauer, Chief, Regulatory
Development Division at 202-693-9444 (Voice), sexauer.edward@dol.gov
(E-mail), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax), or contact Barbara Barron at 202-
693-9447 (Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov (E-mail), or 202-693-9441
(Telefax). [These are not toll-free numbers].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 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 modifications.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M-2007-022-C.
Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company, 57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine, (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1100-2 (a)(2) (Quantity and location
of firefighting equipment).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard 30 CFR 75.1100-2(a)(2), which requires that each
working section of underground coal mines producing less than 300 tons
of coal per shift be provided with specified firefighting equipment and
supplies. The equipment and supplies include two portable fire
extinguishers, 240 pounds of rock dust in bags or other suitable
containers, and at least 500 gallons of water and at least 3 pails of
10 quart capacity. The petitioner proposes to use portable fire
extinguishers only, to replace existing requirements where rock dust,
water cars, and other water storage equipped with three 10 quart pails
are not practical. The petitioner states that equipping its small
anthracite mine with two portable fire extinguishers near the slope
bottom and an additional portable fire extinguisher within 500 feet of
the working face will provide equivalent fire protection. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at
[[Page 31862]]
least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2007-023-C.
Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company, 57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine, (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1200 (d) & (i) (Mine map).
Modification Request: 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. In addition, the petitioner proposes to
limit the required mapping of the mine workings above and below to
those present within 100 feet of the vein being mined, except when
veins are interconnected to other veins beyond the 100-foot limit
through rock tunnels. The petitioner states that contours provide no
useful information due to the steep pitch encountered in mining
anthracite coal veins, and their presence would make portions of the
map illegible. The petitioner further states that use of cross-sections
in lieu of contour lines has been practiced since the late 1800's and
provides critical information about the spacing between veins and the
proximity to other mine workings, which fluctuate considerably.
Additionally, the petitioner states that the mine workings above and
below are usually inactive and abandoned, and therefore not subject to
changes during the life of the mine. The petitioner states that all
mapping for mines above and below are researched by its contract
engineer for the presence of interconnecting rock tunnels between veins
in relation to the mine and a hazard analysis is done when mapping
indicates the presence of known or potentially flooded workings. The
petitioner asserts that when evidence indicates that prior mining was
conducted on a vein above or below and research exhausts the
availability of mine mapping, the vein will be considered to be mined
and flooded and appropriate precautions will be taken under 30 CFR
75.388, where possible. Where potential hazards exist and in-mine
drilling capabilities limit penetration, petitioner will drill surface
boreholes to intercept the mine workings and will analyze the results
prior to mining in the affected area. The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of
protection as the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2007-024-C.
Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company, 57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine, (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202 and 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a)
(Temporary notations, revisions, and supplements.
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the required interval of survey to be
established annually in of lieu every 6 months. The petitioner proposes
to update the mine map by hand notations on a daily basis, conduct
subsequent surveys prior to commencing retreat mining, and when either
a drilling program under 30 CFR 75.388 or plan for mining into
accessible areas under 30 CFR 75.389 is required. The petitioner states
that: (1) Low production and slow rate of advance in anthracite mining
make surveying on 6 month intervals impractical and, in most cases,
annual development is frequently limited to less than 500 feet of
gangway advance with associated up-pitch development; (2) the majority
of small anthracite mines are using non-mechanized, hand-loading mining
methods; (3) development above the active gangway is designed to mine
into the level above at designated intervals thereby maintaining
sufficient control between both surveyed gangways; and (4) the
available engineering/surveyor resources are very limited in anthracite
coal fields which makes surveying difficult to achieve. The petitioner
asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the
same measure of protection as the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2007-025-C.
Petitioner: Little Buck Coal Company, 57 Lincoln Road, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Bottom Split Slope Mine, (MSHA I.D. No. 36-09491), located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400 (c) (Hoisting equipment;
general).
Modification Request: The petitioner proposes to use the slope
(gunboat) to transport persons in shafts and slopes using an increased
rope strength/safety factor and secondary safety rope connection
instead of using safety catches or other no less effective devices. The
petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide
at least the same measure of protection as the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2007-026-C.
Petitioner: Blue Diamond Coal Company, P.O. Box 47, Slemp, Kentucky
41763.
Mine: Mine 77, (MSHA I.D. No. 15-09636), located in Perry
County, Kentucky.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (Weekly examination).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit check points to be established in nine (9)
locations to examine certain areas of the return air course. The
petitioner states that: (1) Due to hazardous roof and rib conditions,
and the distance from active workings and the age of these workings, it
is impractical to expose personnel to the roof and rib hazards in the
affected areas; and (2) to ensure no lesser degree of safety for all
personnel in the mine, ventilation check points will be established to
measure the air in the affected areas. The petitioner proposes to: (1)
Establish air measurement stations at locations that will allow
effective evaluation of ventilation in the affected areas. The
measurements will be conducted by a certified person on a weekly basis,
and a sign will be posted designating the location of measuring
stations; (2) all air measurement stations will be maintained in safe
condition at all times; (3) the date, time and results of these
measurements will be recorded in a book kept on the surface or on a
date board provided at each measuring station, and made accessible to
all parties; (4) signs will be posted in an adjacent travel entry that
will indicate the safe travel route to each monitoring station; (5)
evaluations will be conducted by a certified person at each of the
monitoring stations on a weekly basis that will include the quantity
and quality of air entering or exiting the monitoring station. The
measurements will be made using the MSHA approved and calibrated hand-
held multi-gas detectors to check for methane and oxygen gas
concentrations and appropriate calibrated anemometers to check air flow
volume; (6) a diagram maintained in legible condition will be posted at
the monitoring stations that will show the normal direction of the air
flow, and any change in the direction of the air flow will be reported
to the mine foreman for immediate investigation; (7) the date, time,
and examiner's initials, and the measured quantity and quality of air
will be recorded in a book or on a date board and will be provided at
the monitoring stations; (8) the monitoring station location(s) will be
shown on the annually submitted mine ventilation map and the stations
will not be moved to another location without prior approval by the
District Manager as part
[[Page 31863]]
of the Ventilation Plan for the Bottom Split Slope Mine; and (9) all
mine personnel will receive instructions on which areas they are not
permitted to travel, and all other approaches will be fenced off or
barricaded with ``DO NOT ENTER'' warning signs. Entry in the affected
area will only be permitted to conduct investigations and to correct
problems with the air flow that is detected through the monitoring
process. This work will be done under the supervision of an authorized
person. The petitioner has listed additional procedures in this
petition that will be used to comply compliance to the proposed
alternative method. Individuals may review a complete description of
the procedures at the MSHA address listed in this notice. The
petitioner asserts that this petition will provide no lesser degree of
safety for the personnel at the Mine 77.
Dated: June 1, 2007.
Jack Powasnik,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances.
[FR Doc. E7-11131 Filed 6-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
