Recent Coal Dust Particle Size Surveys and the Implications for Mine Explosions, 42317-42318 [E9-20205]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 161 / Friday, August 21, 2009 / Notices
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[Docket Number NIOSH–174]
I. Background
Recent Coal Dust Particle Size Surveys
and the Implications for Mine
Explosions
FDA is announcing the availability of
the IT Assessment entitled ‘‘Prescription
Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) IV
Information Technology Assessment.’’
This Assessment is intended to provide
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III. Comments
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Dated: August 12, 2009.
Jeffrey Shuren,
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[FR Doc. E9–20083 Filed 8–20–09; 8:45 am]
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Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
AGENCY: National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC),
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice of draft publication
available for public comment.
SUMMARY: The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)
announces the following draft
Publication available for public
comment entitled ‘‘Recent Coal Dust
Particle Size Surveys and the
Implications for Mine Explosions.’’ The
document and instructions for
submitting comments can be found at
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/
public/174/default.html.
Public Comment Period: Comment
period from August 31, 2009 to
September 30, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
submitted to the NIOSH Docket Office,
Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676
Columbia Parkway, MS–C34,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. All material
submitted to the NIOSH should
reference docket number NIOSH–174
and must be submitted by September
30, 2009 to be considered by the
Agency. All electronic comments
should be formatted as Microsoft Word.
In addition, comments may be sent via
e-mail to nioshdocket@cdc.gov or by
facsimile to (513) 533–8285. A complete
electronic docket containing all
comments submitted will be available
on the NIOSH Web page at https://
www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket, and
comments will be available in writing
by request. NIOSH includes all
comments received without change in
the electronic docket, including any
personal information. All information
received in response to this notice will
be available for public examination and
copying at the NIOSH Docket Office,
Room 111, 4676 Columbia Parkway,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, telephone (513)
533–8611.
Background: Spreading rock dust in
bituminous coal mines is the primary
means of reducing the explosion
potential of coal dust that collects
PO 00000
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42317
during the normal workings of an active
coal mine. Accordingly, guidelines have
been established by the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA) about
the relative proportion of rock dust that
needs to be present in both intake and
return airways. Specifically, current
MSHA regulations require that intake
airways contain at least 65%
incombustible content and return
airways contain at least 80%. The
higher limit for return airways was set
in large part because fine ‘‘float’’ coal
dust (100% < 200 mesh or 75 μm) tends
to collect in these airways. MSHA
inspectors routinely monitor rock dust
inerting efforts by collecting dust
samples and measuring the percentage
of total incombustible content (TIC).
These regulations were based on two
important findings: a survey of coal dust
particle size that was performed in the
1920s and large-scale explosion tests
conducted in the U.S. Bureau of Mines’
Bruceton Experimental Mine (BEM)
using dust particles of that size range to
determine the amount of inerting
material required to prevent explosion
propagation.
Mining technology and practices have
changed considerably since the 1920s
when the original coal dust particle
survey was performed. Also, it has been
shown conclusively that as the average
size of coal dust particles decreases, the
explosion hazard increases. Given these
factors, the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) and MSHA conducted a joint
survey to determine the range of coal
particle sizes found in dust samples
collected from intake and return airways
of U.S. coal mines. Results from this
survey show that the coal dust found in
mines today is much finer than in mines
of the 1920s, presumably due to
increased automation and a greater
reliance on mining machinery.
In light of this recent comprehensive
dust survey, NIOSH conducted
additional large-scale explosion tests at
the Lake Lynn Experimental Mine
(LLEM) to determine the degree of rock
dusting necessary to abate explosions
using Pittsburgh seam coal dust blended
as 38% < 200 mesh and referred to as
medium-sized dust. Explosion tests
indicate that medium-sized coal dust
required 76.4% TIC to prevent
explosion propagation. Even the coarse
coal dust (20% < 200 mesh or 75 μm)
representative of samples obtained from
mines in the 1920s required
approximately 68% TIC to be rendered
inert, a level higher than the current
regulation of 65% TIC. In return
airways, the particle size survey
revealed that the average dust particle
size is roughly the same as float coal
E:\FR\FM\21AUN1.SGM
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42318
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 161 / Friday, August 21, 2009 / Notices
dust as defined in the Coal Mine Health
and Safety Act of 1969.
Given the results of the recent coal
dust particle size survey and large-scale
explosion tests, NIOSH recommends a
new standard of 80% TIC be required in
the intake airways of bituminous coal
mines. The survey results indicate that
the current requirement of 80% TIC in
return airways is still sufficient and
appropriate. In addition, NIOSH agrees
with and endorses an earlier
recommendation that new rock dusting
standards should be based on a worstcase scenario (using high volatile coals)
with no relaxation for lower volatile
coals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Jeff Kohler, NIOSH Associate Director
for Mining and Construction, 626
Cochrans Mill Road, Pittsburgh, PA
15236, (412) 386–6544, E-mail
jkohler@cdc.gov.
Reference: Web address for this
publication: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
review/public/174/pdfs/RD-inertingOut
ToExtReview.pdf.
Dated: August 14, 2009.
Christine M. Branche,
Acting Director, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9–20205 Filed 8–20–09; 8:45 am]
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Directorate
[Docket No. DHS–2009–0107]
Submission for Review; Information
Collection Request for the DHS S&T
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16:22 Aug 20, 2009
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enacted as part of the Homeland
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296. The SAFETY Act program
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DHS S&T
provides a secure Web site, accessible
through https://www.SAFETYAct.gov,
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Dated: August 15, 2009.
Gregg Piermarini,
Acting Chief Information Officer, Science and
Technology Directorate, Department of
Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E9–20077 Filed 8–20–09; 8:45 am]
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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 161 (Friday, August 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42317-42318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20205]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Docket Number NIOSH-174]
Recent Coal Dust Particle Size Surveys and the Implications for
Mine Explosions
AGENCY: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice of draft publication available for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
announces the following draft Publication available for public comment
entitled ``Recent Coal Dust Particle Size Surveys and the Implications
for Mine Explosions.'' The document and instructions for submitting
comments can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/174/default.html.
Public Comment Period: Comment period from August 31, 2009 to
September 30, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to the NIOSH Docket
Office, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS-C34,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. All material submitted to the NIOSH should
reference docket number NIOSH-174 and must be submitted by September
30, 2009 to be considered by the Agency. All electronic comments should
be formatted as Microsoft Word. In addition, comments may be sent via
e-mail to nioshdocket@cdc.gov or by facsimile to (513) 533-8285. A
complete electronic docket containing all comments submitted will be
available on the NIOSH Web page at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket, and
comments will be available in writing by request. NIOSH includes all
comments received without change in the electronic docket, including
any personal information. All information received in response to this
notice will be available for public examination and copying at the
NIOSH Docket Office, Room 111, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio
45226, telephone (513) 533-8611.
Background: Spreading rock dust in bituminous coal mines is the
primary means of reducing the explosion potential of coal dust that
collects during the normal workings of an active coal mine.
Accordingly, guidelines have been established by the Mine Safety and
Health Administration (MSHA) about the relative proportion of rock dust
that needs to be present in both intake and return airways.
Specifically, current MSHA regulations require that intake airways
contain at least 65% incombustible content and return airways contain
at least 80%. The higher limit for return airways was set in large part
because fine ``float'' coal dust (100% < 200 mesh or 75 [mu]m) tends to
collect in these airways. MSHA inspectors routinely monitor rock dust
inerting efforts by collecting dust samples and measuring the
percentage of total incombustible content (TIC). These regulations were
based on two important findings: a survey of coal dust particle size
that was performed in the 1920s and large-scale explosion tests
conducted in the U.S. Bureau of Mines' Bruceton Experimental Mine (BEM)
using dust particles of that size range to determine the amount of
inerting material required to prevent explosion propagation.
Mining technology and practices have changed considerably since the
1920s when the original coal dust particle survey was performed. Also,
it has been shown conclusively that as the average size of coal dust
particles decreases, the explosion hazard increases. Given these
factors, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) and MSHA conducted a joint survey to determine the range of
coal particle sizes found in dust samples collected from intake and
return airways of U.S. coal mines. Results from this survey show that
the coal dust found in mines today is much finer than in mines of the
1920s, presumably due to increased automation and a greater reliance on
mining machinery.
In light of this recent comprehensive dust survey, NIOSH conducted
additional large-scale explosion tests at the Lake Lynn Experimental
Mine (LLEM) to determine the degree of rock dusting necessary to abate
explosions using Pittsburgh seam coal dust blended as 38% < 200 mesh
and referred to as medium-sized dust. Explosion tests indicate that
medium-sized coal dust required 76.4% TIC to prevent explosion
propagation. Even the coarse coal dust (20% < 200 mesh or 75 [mu]m)
representative of samples obtained from mines in the 1920s required
approximately 68% TIC to be rendered inert, a level higher than the
current regulation of 65% TIC. In return airways, the particle size
survey revealed that the average dust particle size is roughly the same
as float coal
[[Page 42318]]
dust as defined in the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.
Given the results of the recent coal dust particle size survey and
large-scale explosion tests, NIOSH recommends a new standard of 80% TIC
be required in the intake airways of bituminous coal mines. The survey
results indicate that the current requirement of 80% TIC in return
airways is still sufficient and appropriate. In addition, NIOSH agrees
with and endorses an earlier recommendation that new rock dusting
standards should be based on a worst-case scenario (using high volatile
coals) with no relaxation for lower volatile coals.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jeff Kohler, NIOSH Associate
Director for Mining and Construction, 626 Cochrans Mill Road,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236, (412) 386-6544, E-mail jkohler@cdc.gov.
Reference: Web address for this publication: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/174/pdfs/RD-inertingOutToExtReview.pdf.
Dated: August 14, 2009.
Christine M. Branche,
Acting Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. E9-20205 Filed 8-20-09; 8:45 am]
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