Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 810-812 [2011-33860]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 4 / Friday, January 6, 2012 / Notices
STC members will participate in up to
fifteen 2-day meetings over an 18-month
time period with the goal of completing
development of the standard and
certification program requirements.
It is anticipated that STC meetings
will begin in March 2012. Travel
expenses and per diem will be
reimbursed for all STC meetings;
however, participation time will not be
funded. NIJ is seeking representatives
from (1) certification bodies and (2) test
laboratories with experience in
programs for similar types of ballisticresistant personal protective equipment.
Additional preferred knowledge
includes experience with law
enforcement and corrections operations.
There are up to four positions to be
filled on the STC, and NIJ will accept
the first 20 submissions for peer review.
Interested parties should nominate
individuals from their organizations and
submit an application describing the
nominee’s relevant experience,
preferred knowledge, and affiliations
with standards development
organizations. To be considered, there
must not be any conflict of interest in
which the proposed STC member has a
direct financial relationship with
manufacturers of ballistic-resistant
armor.
Debra Stoe is the NIJ Program
Manager responsible for this work, and
Casandra Robinson is the point of
contact for Ms. Stoe. Interested parties
must contact Casandra Robinson at
casandra.robinson@usdoj.gov to request
further information on what must be
submitted. Any submissions must be
emailed to Casandra Robinson by
January 20, 2012. The submissions will
be peer reviewed, and selected
participants will be notified regarding
the results of the peer review by
February 6, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Casandra Robinson by telephone at
(202) 305–2596 [Note: this is not a tollfree telephone number] or by email at
casandra.robinson@usdoj.gov.
Any submissions must be
emailed to Casandra Robinson by
January 20, 2012. The submissions will
be peer reviewed, and selected
participants will be notified regarding
the results of the peer review by
February 6, 2012.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DATES:
John H. Laub,
Director, National Institute of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2012–66 Filed 1–5–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–18–P
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I. Background
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:
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
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the parties
listed below to modify the application
of existing mandatory safety standards
codified in Title 30 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
DATES: All comments on the petitions
must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances
on or before February 6, 2012.
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: MSHA, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, Virginia 22209–3939,
Attention: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting
Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances.
4. Hand-Delivery or Courier: MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209–
3939. Individuals who submit
comments by hand-delivery are required
to check in at the receptionist’s desk on
the 21st floor. 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:
SUMMARY:
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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–2011–040–C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15
Motter Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963.
Mine: Buck Drift #2 Mine, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–09963, 15 Motter Drive, Pine
Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, 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 to permit the use of portable
fire extinguishers only to replace
existing requirements where rock dust,
water cars, and other water storage
equipped with three 10-quart pails is
not practical. The petitioner states that:
(1) 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.
(2) Anthracite coal is low in volatile
matter and dust is not explosive.
(3) The working section is at or below
mine pool elevation with frequent
pumping required to de-water the work
area.
(4) All up-pitch workings of moderate
to steep pitch are accessed only through
ladders making the carrying of water in
pails impractical.
(5) Electric face equipment is
nonexistent in this hand-loading
anthracite mine and only air-operated
equipment is used in or in by the last
open crosscut.
(6) The history of underground
anthracite mines shows that fires
occurring in the working faces are
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 4 / Friday, January 6, 2012 / Notices
nonexistent in recent years due to
improved explosives and low volatile
matter in anthracite coal.
(7) This anthracite mine produces far
less than the 300 ton per shift criteria
using the hand-loading method.
(8) Belt conveyor haulage is not used
in this underground mine for section/
main haulage minimizing fire potential.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed
alternative method will provide no less
than the same measure of protection
afforded the miners under the existing
standard.
Docket Number: M–2011–041–C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15
Motter Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963.
Mine: Buck Drift #2 Mine, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–09963, 15 Motter Drive, Pine
Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR
75.1200(d) & (i) (Mine map).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of crosssections on mine maps in lieu 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 mine workings above and below to
those present within 100 feet of the
vein(s) being mined unless the veins are
interconnected through rock tunnels to
other veins beyond the 100-foot limit.
The petitioner states that:
(1) Due to the steep pitch encountered
in mining anthracite coal veins,
contours provide no useful information
and their presence would make portions
of the map illegible.
(2) The use of cross-sections in lieu of
contour lines has been practiced since
the late 1800s and provides critical
information about spacing between
veins and proximity to other mine
workings, which fluctuate considerably.
(3) The vast majority of current
underground anthracite mining involves
either second mining of remnant pillars
from previous mining/mine operators or
the mining of veins of lower quality in
proximity to inaccessible and frequently
flooded abandoned mine workings that
may or may not be mapped.
(4) All mapping for mines above and
below is researched by the petitioner’s
contract engineer for the presence of
interconnecting rock tunnels between
veins in relation to the Petitioner’s
mine, and a hazard analysis is done
when mapping indicates the presence of
known or potentially flooded workings.
(5) When no rock tunnel connections
are found, mine workings that exist
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beyond 100 feet from the mine are
recognized as presenting no hazard to
the mine due to the pitch of the vein
and rock separation.
(6) Additionally, the mine workings
above and below are usually inactive
and abandoned and, therefore, are not
usually subject to changes during the
life of the mine.
(7) Where evidence indicates prior
mining was conducted on a vein above
or below and research exhausts the
availability of mine mapping, the vein
will be considered mined and flooded
and appropriate precautions will be
taken through § 75.388, which addresses
drilling boreholes in advance of mining,
where possible.
(8) Where potential hazards exist and
in-mine drilling capabilities limit
penetration, surface boreholes may be
used to intercept the workings and the
results analyzed prior to beginning
mining in the affected area.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners under
the existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2011–042–C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15
Motter Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963.
Mine: Buck Drift #2 Mine, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–09963, 15 Motter Drive, Pine
Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202
and 1202–1(a) (Temporary notations,
revisions and requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the interval of survey
to be established on an annual basis
from the initial survey in lieu of every
6 months as required. The petitioner
proposes to continue to update the mine
map by hand notations on a daily basis
and conduct subsequent surveys prior to
commencing retreat mining, and
whenever either a drilling program
under § 75.388 or plan for mining into
accessible areas under § 75.389 is
required. The petitioner states that:
(1) The low production and slow rate
of advance in anthracite mining make
surveying on 6-month intervals
impractical. In most cases annual
development is frequently limited to
less than 500 feet of gangway advance
with associated up-pitch development.
(2) The vast majority of small
anthracite mines is non-mechanized and
use 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.
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811
(4) The available engineering/
surveyor resources are very limited in
the anthracite coal fields and surveying
on an annual basis is difficult to
achieve, with four individual
contractors currently available.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners under
the existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2011–043–C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15
Motter Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania
17963.
Mine: Buck Drift #2 Mine, MSHA I.D.
No 36–09963, 15 Motter Drive, Pine
Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, located in
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400
(Hoisting equipment; general).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard for cages, platforms or other
devices used to transport persons in
shafts or slopes in underground coal
mines. The petitioner seeks to permit
the use of a slope conveyance (gunboat)
to transport persons without installing
safety catches or other no less effective
devices but instead use an increased
rope strength/safety factor and
secondary safety rope connection in
place of such devices. The petitioner
states that:
(1) The haulage slope of this
anthracite mine is typical of those in the
anthracite region, with a relatively high
angle and frequently changing pitches.
(2) A functional safety catch capable
of working in slopes with knuckles and
curves is not commercially available. A
makeshift device would be activated on
or by knuckles or curves when no
emergency exists. Activation of a safety
catch can or will damage the haulage
system and subject persons being
transported to hazards from dislodged
timbering, roof material, or guide rails,
and to being battered about within the
conveyance.
(3) A safer alternative is to provide
secondary safety connections securely
fastened around the gunboat and to the
hoisting rope above the main
termination and use a hoisting rope
having a safety factor greater than that
recommended in the American
Standards Specifications for the Use of
Wire Rope in Mines or at least three
times greater than the strength required
under section § 75.1431(a).
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners under
the existing standard.
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06JAN1
812
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 4 / Friday, January 6, 2012 / Notices
Dated: December 30, 2011.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Certifying Officer.
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:
[FR Doc. 2011–33860 Filed 1–05–12; 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:
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
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the parties
listed below to modify the application
of existing mandatory safety standards
codified in Title 30 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
DATES: All comments on the petitions
must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances
on or before February 6, 2012.
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: MSHA, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances,
1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, Virginia 22209–3939,
Attention: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting
Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances.
4. Hand-Delivery or Courier: MSHA,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209–
3939. Individuals who submit
comments by hand-delivery are required
to check in at the receptionist’s desk on
the 21st floor. 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,
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:40 Jan 05, 2012
Jkt 226001
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 Numbers: M–2011–038–C and
M–2011–039–C.
Petitioner: Midland Trail Energy, LLC,
42 Rensford Star Route, Charleston,
West Virginia 25306.
Mines: Campbells Creek No. 7 Mine,
MSHA I.D. No. 46–09107, and Blue
Creek No. 1 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46–
09297, 3301 Point Lick Road,
Charleston, West Virginia 25306,
located in Kanawha County, West
Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503
(Permissible electric face equipment;
maintenance).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of 900-feetmaximum length cables to supply
power to its shuttle cars, roof bolters,
and mobile roof supports at the
Campbells Creek No. 7 Mine and Blue
Creek No. 1 Mine. The petitioner states
that:
(1) The maximum length trailing
cables supplying the 575-volt shuttle
cars, 480-volt roof bolters, and 480-volt
mobile roof supports will not exceed
900 feet.
(2) The trailing cable(s) for the shuttle
car(s) and the roof bolter(s) will not be
smaller than No. 2 American Wire
Gauge (AWG), and the trailing cable(s)
for mobile roof support(s) will not be
smaller than No. 4 AWG.
(3) All circuit breakers used to protect
the No. 2 AWG trailing cables that
exceed 700 feet in length will have
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instantaneous trip units calibrated to
trip at 800 amperes. The trip setting of
these circuit breakers will be sealed and
will have permanent, legible labels. The
labels will identify the circuit breaker as
being a specially calibrated circuit
breaker suitable for protecting No. 2
AWG cables. This label will be
maintained legible.
(4) All circuit breakers used to protect
No. 4 AWG trailing cables that exceed
600 feet in length will have
instantaneous trip units calibrated to
trip at 500 amperes. The trip setting of
these circuit breakers will be sealed and
will have permanent, legible labels. The
labels will identify the circuit breakers
as being a specially calibrated circuit
breaker and suitable for protecting No.
4 AWG cables. This label will be
maintained legible.
(5) All components that provide short
circuit protection for the No. 4 AWG
and No. 2 AWG cables will have an
interruption rating in accordance with
the maximum available fault current. A
short-circuit study, available as part of
the petition, indicates the maximum
fault current available on the coal
producing section. Circuit breakers of
sufficient interrupting rating will be
provided in accordance with the study.
(6) Replacement circuit breakers and/
or instantaneous trip units used to
protect No. 2 AWG cables will be
calibrated to trip at 800 amperes. This
setting will be sealed.
(7) Replacement circuit breakers and/
or instantaneous trip units used to
protect No. 4 AWG cables will be
calibrated to trip at 500 amperes. This
setting will be sealed.
(8) Any trailing cable that is not in
safe operating condition will be
removed from service immediately and
repaired or replaced.
(9) Each splice or repair in the trailing
cable to the shuttle cars, roof bolters,
and mobile roof supports will be made
in a workmanlike manner and in
accordance with the instructions of the
manufacturer of the splice or repair
materials. The outer jacket of each
splice or repair will be sealed or made
with material that has been accepted by
MSHA as flame-resistant.
(10) If the mining methods or
operating procedures cause or
contribute to the damage of any trailing
cable, the cable will be removed from
service immediately and repaired or
replaced, and additional precautions
will be taken to ensure that in the future
the cable is protected and maintained in
safe operating condition.
(11) Permanent warning labels will be
installed and maintained on the cover(s)
of the power center identifying the
location of each sealed short-circuit
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 810-812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33860]
=======================================================================
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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: 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 submitted to the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below to modify the
application of existing mandatory safety standards codified in Title 30
of the Code of Federal Regulations.
DATES: All comments on the petitions must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before February 6, 2012.
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: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209-
3939, Attention: Roslyn B. Fontaine, Acting Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
4. Hand-Delivery or Courier: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350,
Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939. Individuals who submit comments by
hand-delivery are required to check in at the receptionist's desk on
the 21st floor. 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:
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-2011-040-C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15 Motter Drive, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Buck Drift 2 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09963, 15 Motter
Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, 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 to permit the use of portable fire extinguishers only
to replace existing requirements where rock dust, water cars, and other
water storage equipped with three 10-quart pails is not practical. The
petitioner states that:
(1) 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.
(2) Anthracite coal is low in volatile matter and dust is not
explosive.
(3) The working section is at or below mine pool elevation with
frequent pumping required to de-water the work area.
(4) All up-pitch workings of moderate to steep pitch are accessed
only through ladders making the carrying of water in pails impractical.
(5) Electric face equipment is nonexistent in this hand-loading
anthracite mine and only air-operated equipment is used in or in by the
last open crosscut.
(6) The history of underground anthracite mines shows that fires
occurring in the working faces are
[[Page 811]]
nonexistent in recent years due to improved explosives and low volatile
matter in anthracite coal.
(7) This anthracite mine produces far less than the 300 ton per
shift criteria using the hand-loading method.
(8) Belt conveyor haulage is not used in this underground mine for
section/main haulage minimizing fire potential. The petitioner asserts
that the proposed alternative method will provide no less than the same
measure of protection afforded the miners under the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2011-041-C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15 Motter Drive, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Buck Drift 2 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09963, 15 Motter
Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, located in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1200(d) & (i) (Mine map).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of cross-sections on mine maps in
lieu 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 mine workings above and below to those
present within 100 feet of the vein(s) being mined unless the veins are
interconnected through rock tunnels to other veins beyond the 100-foot
limit. The petitioner states that:
(1) Due to the steep pitch encountered in mining anthracite coal
veins, contours provide no useful information and their presence would
make portions of the map illegible.
(2) The use of cross-sections in lieu of contour lines has been
practiced since the late 1800s and provides critical information about
spacing between veins and proximity to other mine workings, which
fluctuate considerably.
(3) The vast majority of current underground anthracite mining
involves either second mining of remnant pillars from previous mining/
mine operators or the mining of veins of lower quality in proximity to
inaccessible and frequently flooded abandoned mine workings that may or
may not be mapped.
(4) All mapping for mines above and below is researched by the
petitioner's contract engineer for the presence of interconnecting rock
tunnels between veins in relation to the Petitioner's mine, and a
hazard analysis is done when mapping indicates the presence of known or
potentially flooded workings.
(5) When no rock tunnel connections are found, mine workings that
exist beyond 100 feet from the mine are recognized as presenting no
hazard to the mine due to the pitch of the vein and rock separation.
(6) Additionally, the mine workings above and below are usually
inactive and abandoned and, therefore, are not usually subject to
changes during the life of the mine.
(7) Where evidence indicates prior mining was conducted on a vein
above or below and research exhausts the availability of mine mapping,
the vein will be considered mined and flooded and appropriate
precautions will be taken through Sec. 75.388, which addresses
drilling boreholes in advance of mining, where possible.
(8) Where potential hazards exist and in-mine drilling capabilities
limit penetration, surface boreholes may be used to intercept the
workings and the results analyzed prior to beginning mining in the
affected area.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners
under the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2011-042-C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15 Motter Drive, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Buck Drift 2 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09963, 15 Motter
Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, located in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202 and 1202-1(a) (Temporary
notations, revisions and requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the interval of survey to be established on
an annual basis from the initial survey in lieu of every 6 months as
required. The petitioner proposes to continue to update the mine map by
hand notations on a daily basis and conduct subsequent surveys prior to
commencing retreat mining, and whenever either a drilling program under
Sec. 75.388 or plan for mining into accessible areas under Sec.
75.389 is required. The petitioner states that:
(1) The low production and slow rate of advance in anthracite
mining make surveying on 6-month intervals impractical. In most cases
annual development is frequently limited to less than 500 feet of
gangway advance with associated up-pitch development.
(2) The vast majority of small anthracite mines is non-mechanized
and use 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.
(4) The available engineering/surveyor resources are very limited
in the anthracite coal fields and surveying on an annual basis is
difficult to achieve, with four individual contractors currently
available.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners
under the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2011-043-C.
Petitioner: D & F Deep Mine, 15 Motter Drive, Pine Grove,
Pennsylvania 17963.
Mine: Buck Drift 2 Mine, MSHA I.D. No 36-09963, 15 Motter
Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963, located in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400 (Hoisting equipment; general).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard for cages, platforms or other devices used to
transport persons in shafts or slopes in underground coal mines. The
petitioner seeks to permit the use of a slope conveyance (gunboat) to
transport persons without installing safety catches or other no less
effective devices but instead use an increased rope strength/safety
factor and secondary safety rope connection in place of such devices.
The petitioner states that:
(1) The haulage slope of this anthracite mine is typical of those
in the anthracite region, with a relatively high angle and frequently
changing pitches.
(2) A functional safety catch capable of working in slopes with
knuckles and curves is not commercially available. A makeshift device
would be activated on or by knuckles or curves when no emergency
exists. Activation of a safety catch can or will damage the haulage
system and subject persons being transported to hazards from dislodged
timbering, roof material, or guide rails, and to being battered about
within the conveyance.
(3) A safer alternative is to provide secondary safety connections
securely fastened around the gunboat and to the hoisting rope above the
main termination and use a hoisting rope having a safety factor greater
than that recommended in the American Standards Specifications for the
Use of Wire Rope in Mines or at least three times greater than the
strength required under section Sec. 75.1431(a).
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners
under the existing standard.
[[Page 812]]
Dated: December 30, 2011.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-33860 Filed 1-05-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P
