Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 29384-29386 [2013-11887]
Download as PDF
29384
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 97 / Monday, May 20, 2013 / Notices
measures of the rate of change. These
data are used to assess the Nation’s
progress in improving the safety and
health of America’s work places; to
prioritize scarce Federal and State
resources; to guide the development of
injury and illness prevention strategies;
and to support Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) and
State safety and health standards and
research. Data are essential for
evaluating the effectiveness of Federal
and State programs for improving work
place safety and health. For these
reasons, it is necessary to provide
estimates separately for participating
States.
II. Current Action
Office of Management and Budget
clearance is being sought for the Survey
of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.
The survey measures the overall rate of
occurrence of work injuries and
illnesses by industry for private
industry, State governments, and local
governments. For the more serious
injuries and illnesses, those with days
away from work, the survey provides
detailed information on the injured/ill
worker (age, sex, race, industry,
occupation, and length of service), the
time in shift, and the circumstances of
the injuries and illnesses classified by
standardized codes (nature of the
injury/illness, part of body affected,
primary and secondary sources of the
injury/illness, and the event or exposure
which produced the injury/illness).
Beginning with the 2011 survey year,
BLS began testing the collection of case
and demographic data for injury and
illness cases that require only days of
job transfer or restriction. Since the BLS
previously collected case and
demographic data only for cases with
days away from work, data were not
obtained about this growing class of
injury and illness cases. BLS is
analyzing the results of this test to
determine the value of the resulting
information and is looking at how best
to implement the collection of these
data as well as days away from work
cases in future survey years. The BLS
regards the collection of these cases
with only job transfer or restriction as
significant in its coverage of the
American workforce.
III. Desired Focus of Comments
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is
particularly interested in comments
that:
• Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility.
• Evaluate the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected.
• 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 submissions
of responses.
Type of Review: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Title: Survey of Occupational Injuries
and Illnesses.
OMB Number: 1220–0045.
Affected Public: Businesses or other
for-profits; Not-for-profit institutions;
Farms; State, Local or Tribal
Governments.
Form
Total
respondents
Frequency
Total
responses
Average time
per response
(hours)
BLS 9300 ................................
Pre-notification Package .........
Undercount test ......................
240,000 ..................................
182,000 out of 240,000 .........
................................................
Annually ...
Annually ...
..................
240,000 ..................................
182,000 out of 240,000 .........
................................................
.375
1.352
..........................
Totals ...............................
240,000 ..................................
Annually ...
240,000 ..................................
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):
$0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/
maintenance): $0.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget approval of the
information collection request; they also
will become a matter of public record.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Signed at Washington, DC, this 8th day of
May 2013.
Kimberley Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems,
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2013–11834 Filed 5–17–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:09 May 17, 2013
Jkt 229001
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of
Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standards
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice.
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.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
90,000
246,166
1,950
338,116
All comments on the petitions
must be received by the Office of
Standards, Regulations and Variances
on or before June 19, 2013.
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, 1100 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 2350, Arlington, Virginia 22209–
3939, Attention: George F. Triebsch,
Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations and Variances. Persons
delivering documents are required to
check in at the receptionist’s desk on
the 21st floor. Individuals may inspect
copies of the petitions and comments
DATES:
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Estimated total
burden
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 97 / Monday, May 20, 2013 / Notices
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.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M–2013–019–C.
Petitioner: Peabody Twentymile
Mining LLC, Three Gateway Center,
Suite 1500, 401 Liberty Avenue,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222.
Mine: Foidel Creek Mine, MSHA I.D.
No. 05–03836, located in Routt County,
Colorado.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101–
7(a) (Installation of water sprinkler
systems; requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative
method of compliance with respect to
its sprinkler system for its conveyor
belts. The petitioner proposes the
following alternative for best protection
and could be installed in a horizontal
position:
1. The pendant spray in its sprinkler
system at belt drives and belt take-ups
will be oriented for the best level of
protection as determined by
Twentymile and may be oriented in a
horizontal position.
2. The number of sprays on the
branch lines may exceed eight and may
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:09 May 17, 2013
Jkt 229001
be positioned at a spacing of less than
six feet. The number of sprays is not
limited so long as 10 psi is maintained
at the furthermost spray.
3. The pressure in the branch lines
when tested should be at a minimum of
10 psi. The pressure will not exceed 250
psi when the sprays are operating.
4. Each water sprinkler system will
consist of a system with automatic
sprinklers located not more than eight
feet apart so that the water discharge
from the sprinklers will cover 50 feet of
flame-resistant belt, or 150 feet of nonflame-resistant belt, adjacent to the belt
drive. In addition, automatic sprinklers
will be located so that the water
discharged from the sprinkler(s) will
cover the drive motor(s), entire belt
take-up, electrical controls, and gear
reducing unit for each belt drive.
5. The residual pressure in each
sprinkler system will not be less than 10
psi with any eight sprinklers open. The
supply of water will be adequate to
provide a constant flow of water for at
least ten minutes with all sprinklers
functioning.
6. Each water sprinkler system will
have a strainer with a flush-out
connection and a manual shut-off valve.
7. Installation of the branch line may
be no less than 3 inches but may be
more than 12 inches from the roof but
no closer than 3 inches.
8. Each automatic sprinkler will be
designed to stop the running conveyor
belt when a water sprinkler is activated.
9. Each automatic sprinkler will be a
standard 3⁄8-inch orifice, pendant-type
sprinkler, sidewall or umbrella spray
with fusible link actuation. Actuation
temperature for each automatic
sprinkler will be between 200 degrees
Fahrenheit and 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. A functional test to ensure proper
operation will be conducted during the
installation of each new system and
during the subsequent repair or
replacement of any critical part thereof.
The functional test will be conducted in
accordance with the following:
a. Close the manual shut-off valve.
b. Open the flush-out valve.
c. Attach a test manifold to the end of
the branch line.
d. The manifold consists of a 2″
diameter pipe 2–3 feet long. The
manifold is coupled to the end of the
branch line. The end which attaches to
the branch line is grooved and the other
end is capped. There are ten 1⁄2-inch
threaded pipe couplers welded to the 2–
3 foot pipe. Eight fire suppression
sprays with open orifices will be
threaded to 8 of the pipe couplers. A
suitable pressure gauge will be attached
to the ninth pipe coupler on the
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29385
downstream end. The tenth coupler is a
spare and plugged.
e. Open the valve on the branch line
and read the pressure indicated on the
gauge. The water sprinkler system
pressure is adequate if the gauge
indicates 10 psi or more.
f. Verify that the water flow switch is
activated and the dispatch center
receives the alarm.
g. Restore the system to its operational
condition.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will
guarantee the miners no less than the
same measure of protection afforded by
the standard.
Docket Number: M–2013–020–C
Petitioner: Liberty Fuels Company,
LLC, 4707 Highway 493, DeKalb,
Mississippi 39328.
Mine: Liberty Mine, MSHA I.D. No.
22–00803, located in Kemper County,
Mississippi.
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 to permit an alternative
method of compliance when the boom/
mast is raised or lowered during
necessary repairs. The petitioner states
that it realizes that some stages of
assembly/disassembly of draglines
require special consideration when the
boom mast is raising/lowering into
position. The boom is raised/lowered
utilizing the on-board motor electrical
system. This is critical because during
this process, power to the machine must
not be interrupted. Power loss may
result in the boom becoming
uncontrolled and falling, and could
injure workers. To address this
condition, the following guidelines are
proposed to help prevent loss of power
to the machine. This procedure only
addresses raising and lowering the
boom on draglines utilizing the
machine’s electrical system. It does not
replace other mechanical precautions or
the requirements of 30 CFR 77.405(b)
that are necessary to safely secure
booms/masts during construction or
maintenance procedures.
The following procedure has been
designed for ‘‘boom raising’’ or ‘‘boom
lowering’’ at the Liberty Mine. During
this period of construction and
maintenance, the machine will not be
performing mining operations. This
procedure will also be applicable in
instances of disassembly or major
maintenance, which require the boom to
be raised or lowered. The following
guidelines will be used to minimize the
potential for electrical power loss
during this critical boom procedure.
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
29386
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 97 / Monday, May 20, 2013 / Notices
The Liberty Mine will use this
procedure during disassembly or major
maintenance only. Major maintenance
requiring the raising and lowering of the
boom mast would be performed on an
as needed basis, which could span long
periods of time. Therefore, training and
review of the procedure would be
conducted prior to this need. At such
time all persons involved in the process
would be trained and retrained.
(1) Liberty Mine employees, its
contractors and affected persons will be
trained on the requirements of the
procedure at the mine.
(2) The procedure will be coordinated
by a Liberty dragline maintenance
supervisor and, if possible, the
contractor’s representative will assist.
At least two (2) MSHA qualified
electricians will be present at all times
during the procedure.
(3) The number of persons required
on board the machine will be limited.
An MSHA qualified electrician, dragline
operator, the dragline oiler, and
individuals with critical tasks that are
pertinent to the boom raising/lowering
process will be permitted on the
machine. The dragline maintenance
supervisor and contractor’s
representative may either be on board or
at a location on the ground to assist in
the coordination.
(4) 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 identified in Item #3 will be
permitted inside the secured area. At no
time will anyone be permitted under the
boom.
(5) Communication between the
dragline operator, the MSHA qualified
electrician at the dragline, the MSHA
qualified electrician at the substation,
the dragline maintenance supervisor
and the contractor’s representative, if
present, will be a dedicated channel on
the company’s two-way radio.
(6) 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
available to interested parties. The
machine will be de-energized to perform
this examination.
(7) After the examination has been
completed, the electrical components
necessary to complete the boom raising/
lowering process will be energized to
assure they are operating properly as
determined by an MSHA qualified
electrician. When completed the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:09 May 17, 2013
Jkt 229001
machine will be de-energized and
locked out.
(8) The ground fault and ground
check circuits will be disabled
provided:
(a) The internal grounding 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 assure the ground conductor is
continuous. The grounding resistor will
be tested to assure it is properly
connected, is not open, or is not
shorted.
(b) 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.
(9) During the boom raising/lowering
procedure an MSHA qualified
electrician will be positioned at the
substation dedicated 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
to re-energizing and testing the
machine. Once the circuits have been
tested and no adverse conditions are
present, the boom raising/lowering
procedure, as outlined above, will be
resumed.
(10) During this construction/
maintenance procedure, persons cannot
get on/off the dragline while the ground
check ground fault circuits are disabled
unless the circuit is de-energized,
locked and tagged out as verified by the
MSHA qualified electrician at the
substation.
(11) 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 dragline
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
operator 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 not
result in a diminution of safety to the
miners affected.
Dated: May 14, 2013.
George F. Triebsch,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and
Variances.
[FR Doc. 2013–11887 Filed 5–17–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–43–P
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice (13–053)]
Government-Owned Inventions,
Available for Licensing
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of
Inventions for Licensing.
AGENCY:
Patent applications on the
inventions listed below assigned to the
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, have been filed in the
United States Patent and Trademark
Office, and are available for licensing.
DATES: May 20, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert H. Earp, III, Patent Attorney,
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field,
Code 21–14, Cleveland, OH 44135;
telephone (216) 433–5754; fax (216)
433–6790.
NASA Case No.: LEW–18789–1: Method
to Increase Performance of Foil
Bearings Through Passive Thermal
Management;
NASA Case No.: LEW–18636–2: A
Source Coupled N Channel JFET
Based Digital Logic Gate Structure
Using Resistive Level Shifters and
Having Direct Application to High
Temperature Silicon Carbide
Electronics;
NASA Case No.: LEW–18789–PCT:
Method to Increase Performance of
Foil Bearings Through Passive
Thermal Management;
NASA Case No.: LEW–18942–1:
Adaptive Phase Delay Generator;
NASA Case No.: LEW–18887–1: Fuzzy
Neuron: Method and Hardware
Realization;
NASA Case No.: LEW–18816–1: High
Speed Edge Detecting Circuit for Use
with Linear Image Sensor;
NASA Case No.: LEW–18717–2: A
Novel Wideband GaN MMIC
Distributed Amplifier Based
Microwave Power Module for Space
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM
20MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29384-29386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11887]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 June 19, 2013.
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, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington,
Virginia 22209-3939, Attention: George F. Triebsch, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations and Variances. Persons delivering documents are
required to check in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.
Individuals may inspect copies of the petitions and comments
[[Page 29385]]
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-2013-019-C.
Petitioner: Peabody Twentymile Mining LLC, Three Gateway Center,
Suite 1500, 401 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222.
Mine: Foidel Creek Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 05-03836, located in Routt
County, Colorado.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1101-7(a) (Installation of water
sprinkler systems; requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit an alternative method of compliance with
respect to its sprinkler system for its conveyor belts. The petitioner
proposes the following alternative for best protection and could be
installed in a horizontal position:
1. The pendant spray in its sprinkler system at belt drives and
belt take-ups will be oriented for the best level of protection as
determined by Twentymile and may be oriented in a horizontal position.
2. The number of sprays on the branch lines may exceed eight and
may be positioned at a spacing of less than six feet. The number of
sprays is not limited so long as 10 psi is maintained at the
furthermost spray.
3. The pressure in the branch lines when tested should be at a
minimum of 10 psi. The pressure will not exceed 250 psi when the sprays
are operating.
4. Each water sprinkler system will consist of a system with
automatic sprinklers located not more than eight feet apart so that the
water discharge from the sprinklers will cover 50 feet of flame-
resistant belt, or 150 feet of non-flame-resistant belt, adjacent to
the belt drive. In addition, automatic sprinklers will be located so
that the water discharged from the sprinkler(s) will cover the drive
motor(s), entire belt take-up, electrical controls, and gear reducing
unit for each belt drive.
5. The residual pressure in each sprinkler system will not be less
than 10 psi with any eight sprinklers open. The supply of water will be
adequate to provide a constant flow of water for at least ten minutes
with all sprinklers functioning.
6. Each water sprinkler system will have a strainer with a flush-
out connection and a manual shut-off valve.
7. Installation of the branch line may be no less than 3 inches but
may be more than 12 inches from the roof but no closer than 3 inches.
8. Each automatic sprinkler will be designed to stop the running
conveyor belt when a water sprinkler is activated.
9. Each automatic sprinkler will be a standard \3/8\-inch orifice,
pendant-type sprinkler, sidewall or umbrella spray with fusible link
actuation. Actuation temperature for each automatic sprinkler will be
between 200 degrees Fahrenheit and 230 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. A functional test to ensure proper operation will be conducted
during the installation of each new system and during the subsequent
repair or replacement of any critical part thereof. The functional test
will be conducted in accordance with the following:
a. Close the manual shut-off valve.
b. Open the flush-out valve.
c. Attach a test manifold to the end of the branch line.
d. The manifold consists of a 2'' diameter pipe 2-3 feet long. The
manifold is coupled to the end of the branch line. The end which
attaches to the branch line is grooved and the other end is capped.
There are ten \1/2\-inch threaded pipe couplers welded to the 2-3 foot
pipe. Eight fire suppression sprays with open orifices will be threaded
to 8 of the pipe couplers. A suitable pressure gauge will be attached
to the ninth pipe coupler on the downstream end. The tenth coupler is a
spare and plugged.
e. Open the valve on the branch line and read the pressure
indicated on the gauge. The water sprinkler system pressure is adequate
if the gauge indicates 10 psi or more.
f. Verify that the water flow switch is activated and the dispatch
center receives the alarm.
g. Restore the system to its operational condition.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
guarantee the miners no less than the same measure of protection
afforded by the standard.
Docket Number: M-2013-020-C
Petitioner: Liberty Fuels Company, LLC, 4707 Highway 493, DeKalb,
Mississippi 39328.
Mine: Liberty Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 22-00803, located in Kemper
County, Mississippi.
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 to permit an alternative method of compliance when
the boom/mast is raised or lowered during necessary repairs. The
petitioner states that it realizes that some stages of assembly/
disassembly of draglines require special consideration when the boom
mast is raising/lowering into position. The boom is raised/lowered
utilizing the on-board motor electrical system. This is critical
because during this process, power to the machine must not be
interrupted. Power loss may result in the boom becoming uncontrolled
and falling, and could injure workers. To address this condition, the
following guidelines are proposed to help prevent loss of power to the
machine. This procedure only addresses raising and lowering the boom on
draglines utilizing the machine's electrical system. It does not
replace other mechanical precautions or the requirements of 30 CFR
77.405(b) that are necessary to safely secure booms/masts during
construction or maintenance procedures.
The following procedure has been designed for ``boom raising'' or
``boom lowering'' at the Liberty Mine. During this period of
construction and maintenance, the machine will not be performing mining
operations. This procedure will also be applicable in instances of
disassembly or major maintenance, which require the boom to be raised
or lowered. The following guidelines will be used to minimize the
potential for electrical power loss during this critical boom
procedure.
[[Page 29386]]
The Liberty Mine will use this procedure during disassembly or
major maintenance only. Major maintenance requiring the raising and
lowering of the boom mast would be performed on an as needed basis,
which could span long periods of time. Therefore, training and review
of the procedure would be conducted prior to this need. At such time
all persons involved in the process would be trained and retrained.
(1) Liberty Mine employees, its contractors and affected persons
will be trained on the requirements of the procedure at the mine.
(2) The procedure will be coordinated by a Liberty dragline
maintenance supervisor and, if possible, the contractor's
representative will assist. At least two (2) MSHA qualified
electricians will be present at all times during the procedure.
(3) The number of persons required on board the machine will be
limited. An MSHA qualified electrician, dragline operator, the dragline
oiler, and individuals with critical tasks that are pertinent to the
boom raising/lowering process will be permitted on the machine. The
dragline maintenance supervisor and contractor's representative may
either be on board or at a location on the ground to assist in the
coordination.
(4) 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
identified in Item 3 will be permitted inside the secured
area. At no time will anyone be permitted under the boom.
(5) Communication between the dragline operator, the MSHA qualified
electrician at the dragline, the MSHA qualified electrician at the
substation, the dragline maintenance supervisor and the contractor's
representative, if present, will be a dedicated channel on the
company's two-way radio.
(6) 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 available to
interested parties. The machine will be de-energized to perform this
examination.
(7) After the examination has been completed, the electrical
components necessary to complete the boom raising/lowering process will
be energized to assure they are operating properly as determined by an
MSHA qualified electrician. When completed the machine will be de-
energized and locked out.
(8) The ground fault and ground check circuits will be disabled
provided:
(a) The internal grounding 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 assure the
ground conductor is continuous. The grounding resistor will be tested
to assure it is properly connected, is not open, or is not shorted.
(b) 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.
(9) During the boom raising/lowering procedure an MSHA qualified
electrician will be positioned at the substation dedicated 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 to re-energizing and testing
the machine. Once the circuits have been tested and no adverse
conditions are present, the boom raising/lowering procedure, as
outlined above, will be resumed.
(10) During this construction/maintenance procedure, persons cannot
get on/off the dragline while the ground check ground fault circuits
are disabled unless the circuit is de-energized, locked and tagged out
as verified by the MSHA qualified electrician at the substation.
(11) 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 dragline
operator 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
not result in a diminution of safety to the miners affected.
Dated: May 14, 2013.
George F. Triebsch,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2013-11887 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P