Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 11841-11844 [2016-04930]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2016 / Notices
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Information and Regulatory Affairs at
the address shown in the ADDRESSES
section within thirty (30) days of
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register. In order to help ensure
appropriate consideration, comments
should mention OMB ICR Reference
Number 201509–1205–013. The OMB is
particularly interested in comments
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• Evaluate whether the proposed
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• Evaluate the accuracy of the
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• Enhance the quality, utility, and
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• Minimize the burden of the
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Agency: DOL–ETA.
Title of Collection: Unemployment
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Guide.
OMB ICR Reference Number: 201509–
1205–013.
Affected Public: State, Local, and
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Total Estimated Number of
Respondents: 53.
Total Estimated Number of
Responses: 53.
Total Estimated Annual Time Burden:
133 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Other Costs
Burden: $0.
Dated: March 1, 2016.
Michel Smyth,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016–04934 Filed 3–4–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–FW–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
SUMMARY:
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Title 30 of the Code of Federal
Regulations 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.
DATES: All comments on the petitions
must be received by the MSHA’s Office
of Standards, Regulations, and
Variances on or before April 6, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your
comments, identified by ‘‘docket
number’’ on the subject line, by any of
the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: zzMSHAcomments@dol.gov. Include the docket
number of the petition in the subject
line of the message.
2. Facsimile: 202–693–9441.
3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery:
MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th
Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington,
Virginia 22202–5452, Attention: Sheila
McConnell, Acting Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
Persons delivering documents are
required to check in at the receptionist’s
desk in Suite 4E401. Individuals may
inspect copies of the petitions and
comments during normal business
hours at the address listed above.
MSHA will consider only comments
postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or
proof of delivery from another delivery
service such as UPS or Federal Express
on or before the deadline for comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202–693–
9447 (Voice), barron.barbara@dol.gov
(Email), or 202–693–9441 (Facsimile).
[These are not toll-free numbers.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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
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requirements and procedures for filing
petitions for modification.
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II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M–2016–002–C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining,
419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 49.2(b)
(Availability of mine rescue teams).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the reduction of two
mine rescue teams with five members
and one alternate each to two mine
rescue teams of three members with one
alternate for either team. The petitioner
states that:
(1) The underground mine is a small
mine and there is hardly enough
physical room to accommodate more
than three or four miners in the working
places. An attempt to utilize five or
more rescue team members in the
mine’s confined working places would
result in a diminution of safety to both
the miners at the mine and members of
the rescue team.
(2) Records of Mine Emergency
responses over the last 20 years indicate
that rescue and recovery operations
conducted by Anthracite Underground
Rescue, Inc. (AUGR) have never utilized
more than one team. In addition, when
one rescue team was utilized there were
no more than three members traveling to
a working place simultaneously.
(3) The electric power does not reach
beyond the bottom of the slope.
Therefore, all coal haulage is done by
hand trammed cars or battery electric
motor and car at very slow rates of
speed. These facts considerably reduce
the risk of a disaster and the need for
as many mine rescue team members as
required by the regulations.
(4) The employment in the
underground anthracite mines has
decreased substantially and the ratio of
mine rescue teams to underground
miners has correspondingly been
reduced. The loss of the underground
work force dramatically reduces the
pool of qualified people available to fill
mine rescue positions.
(5) Pennsylvania Deep Mine Safety
presently has four deep mine inspectors
that have deep mine rescue training and
are pledged to assist if required in an
emergency. In addition, the surrounding
small mines have always provided
assistance during mine emergencies.
(6) As a result of poor market
conditions and a significant number of
underground mines now conducting
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final pillar recovery, the downward
trends are expected to continue.
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–2016–003–C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining,
419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.335
(Seal strength, design application, and
installation).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative
method of seal construction employing
wooden material of moderate size and
weight due to the difficulty in accessing
previously driven headings and breasts
containing the inaccessible abandoned
workings through the use of homemade
ladders. The petitioner requests that a
design criteria in the 10 psi range be
accepted due to the non-explosibility of
anthracite coal dust and minimal
potential for either an accumulation of
methane in previously mined pitching
veins or an ignition source in the gob
area. The petitioner states that seals
installed in pairs permit the water trap
to be installed only in the gangway seal
(lowest elevation) and sampling tube in
the monkey (higher elevation) seal. The
petitioner also states that:
(1) The required transportation of
solid concrete blocks or equivalent
materials manually on ladders on
pitching anthracite veins will expose
miners to greater hazard(s) of falling,
being struck by falling materials or
resulting strains or sprains due to the
weight of the materials.
(2) No evidence of ignition in
accessible abandoned anthracite
workings has been found to date.
(3) In veins pitching greater than 45
degrees the weight of the seal is
transferred to the low side rib (coal).
(4) Irregularly shaped anthracite
openings would require substantial
cutting of rectangular blocks to insure
proper tie-in to hitches in the top rock,
bottom rock and low side coal rib.
(5) Concrete block and mortar
construction for openings parallel to the
pitching vein would be almost
impossible to construct and subject to
failure merely by its own weight.
(6) Isolation of inaccessible
abandoned workings from an active
section will permit natural venting of
any potential methane build-up through
surface breeches, and the mine has not
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experienced measurable liberations of
methane to date.
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–2016–004–C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining,
419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.360
(Preshift examination at fixed intervals).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit an alternative
method of examination and evaluation,
including a visual examination of each
seal, for physical damage from the slope
gunboat during the pre-shift
examination to occur after an air
quantity reading is taken just inby the
intake portal. An additional air reading
and gas test for methane and oxygen
deficiency will then be taken at the
intake air split location(s) just off the
slope in the gangway portion of the
working section. The examiner will
place the date, time, and their initials at
the locations where air readings and gas
tests are taken and the results will be
properly recorded prior to anyone
entering the mine.
The slope will be traveled and
physically examined for its entire length
on a monthly basis with dates, times
and initials placed at sufficient
locations throughout, and results of the
examination recorded on the surface.
Any hazards found will be corrected
prior to personnel transportation in the
slope. The petitioner states that:
(1) The intake haulage slope on
moderate to steep pitch of 66 degrees is
equipped with a ladder as part of its
escapeway requirement. If an
examination had to be conducted,
platforms across the ladder at multiple
locations would require miners to climb
around each platform obstruction,
significantly increasing a fall hazard
down the slope.
(2) If examinations were conducted
and platforms not provided, a
significant injury or fall potential exists
each time a miner gets in and out of the
gunboat.
(3) Accurate air readings cannot be
obtained with the gunboat blocking a
major portion of the intake slope. If
platforms were installed across the
intake almost total restriction of the
mine’s only intake would occur.
(4) Since the intake haulage slope is
the mine’s only intake, oxygen
deficiency is highly unlikely.
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(5) Due to wet conditions in the mine,
dates, times, and initials frequently
disappear in a matter of hours.
(6) Anthracite coal historically
liberates methane only during active
mining thereby eliminating the
likelihood of methane leaking from
inaccessible abandoned areas into the
intake slope. Any such leakage would
be detected at the proposed sampling
location at each intake air split on the
gangway.
(7) The return slope airway is located
immediately adjacent to the intake slope
and air leakage would occur toward the
return.
(8) While air losses from the intake to
the return slopes are anticipated, a
significant change in readings from
those of the previous day to week would
warrant additional air readings and gas
test at various locations in the slope.
Significant changes in readings,
however, occur on a seasonal basis as a
result of natural ventilation changes and
should not be use as a basis for
evaluating the efficiency of the mine’s
ventilation system.
(9) Only increases in air quantity
readings obtained just inby the slope
portal when measured in the slope are
indicative of air leakage through seals in
the wrong direction.
(10) Examination of the intake
haulage slope on a monthly basis will
ensure the safety of miners traveling the
intake escapeway and significantly
minimize the fall hazard potential of
miners conducting examinations.
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–2016–005–C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining,
419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–10110, located in
Northumberland 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 in lieu of contour lines through
the intake slope, at locations of rock
tunnel connections between veins, and
at 1,000 feet intervals of advance from
the intake slope and to limit the
required mapping of miner workings
above and below to those present within
100 feet of the vein(s) being mined
unless veins are interconnected to other
veins beyond the 100 feet limit, through
rock tunnels. The petitioner states that:
(1) Due to the steep pitch encountered
in mining anthracite coal veins,
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contours provide no useful information
and their presence would make portions
of the map illegible.
(2) Use of cross-sections in lieu of
contour lines has been practiced since
the late 1800’s and provides critical
information relative to the spacing
between vein 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
which 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 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 found to exist
beyond 100 feet from the mine are
recognized as presenting no hazard to
the mine due to the pitch of the vein
rock separation between.
(6) The mine workings above and
below are usually inactive and
abandoned and 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 to be mined and
flooded and appropriate precautions
taken through § 75.388, 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 the beginning
of 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–2016–006–C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining,
419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202
and 75.1202–1(a) (Temporary notations,
revisions and requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the required interval
of survey to be established on an annual
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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 is required by § 75.388 or plan
for mining into inaccessible areas is
required by § 75.389. 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 use 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.
(4) The available engineering/
surveyor resources are limited in the
anthracite coal fields. 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–2016–007–C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining,
419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D.
No. 36–10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400
(Hoisting equipment; general).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of a gunboat
to transport persons without safety
catches or other no less effective devices
because, to date, no such safety catch or
device is available for steeply pitching
and undulating slopes with numerous
curves and knuckles present in the main
haulage slopes of anthracite mines.
These mines range in length from 30 to
4200 feet and vary in pitch from 12
degrees and 75 degrees. The petitioner
states that:
(1) A functional safety catch has not
yet been developed; consequently, the
makeshift devices, if installed, would be
activated on knuckles and curves when
no emergency exists causing a tumbling
effect on the conveyance that would
increase rather than decrease the hazard
to miners.
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(2) As an alternative, the petitioner
proposes to operate the man cage or
steel gunboat with secondary safety
connections securely fastened around
the gunboat and to the hoisting rope
above the main connecting device and
use hoisting ropes having a factor of
safety in excess of the 4 to 8 to 1 as
suggested in the American Standards
Specifications for the Use of Wire Rope
for Mines.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure
or protection afforded the miners under
the existing standard.
Sheila McConnell,
Acting Director, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2016–04930 Filed 3–4–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520–43–P
OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT
CORPORATION
Sunshine Act Cancellation Notice—
OPIC March 9, 2016 Public Hearing
OPIC’s Sunshine Act notice of its
Public Hearing in Conjunction with
each Board meeting was published in
the Federal Register (Volume 81,
Number 30, Page 7847) on Tuesday,
February 16, 2016. No requests were
received to provide testimony or submit
written statements for the record;
therefore, OPIC’s public hearing
scheduled for 2 p.m., March 9, 2016 in
conjunction with OPIC’s March 17, 2016
Board of Directors meeting has been
cancelled.
Contact Person for Information:
Information on the hearing cancellation
may be obtained from Catherine F.I.
Andrade at (202) 336–8768, or via email
at Catherine.Andrade@opic.gov.
Dated: March 3, 2016.
Catherine F.I. Andrade,
OPIC Corporate Secretary.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
[FR Doc. 2016–05166 Filed 3–3–16; 4:15 pm]
Committee Management; Renewals
BILLING CODE 3210–01–P
The NSF management officials having
responsibility for three advisory
committees listed below have
determined that renewing these groups
for another two years is necessary and
in the public interest in connection with
the performance of duties imposed upon
the Director, National Science
Foundation (NSF), by 42 U.S.C. 1861 et
seq. This determination follows
consultation with the Committee
Management Secretariat, General
Services Administration.
Committees
Advisory Committee for Environmental
Research and Education, #9487
Proposal Review Panel for Industrial
Innovations and Partnerships, #28164
Proposal Review Panel for Emerging
Frontiers and Multidisciplinary
Activities #34558, (formerly Emerging
Frontiers in Research and Innovation)
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Effective date for renewal is March 3,
2016. For more information, please
contact Crystal Robinson, NSF, at (703)
292–8687.
Dated: March 3, 2016.
Crystal Robinson,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016–05075 Filed 3–4–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
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PEACE CORPS
Information Collection Request
Submission for OMB Review
Peace Corps.
60-Day notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Peace Corps will be
submitting the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval. The purpose of
this notice is to allow 60 days for public
comment in the Federal Register
preceding submission to OMB. We are
conducting this process in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
DATES: Submit comments on or before
May 6, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be
addressed to Denora Miller, FOIA/
Privacy Act Officer. Denora Miller can
be contacted by telephone at 202–692–
1236 or email at pcfr@peacecorps.gov.
Email comments must be made in text
and not in attachments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Denora Miller at Peace Corps address
above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Durable Medical Equipment
(DME).
OMB Control Number: 0420–XXXX.
Type of Request: New information
collection.
SUMMARY:
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Affected Public: Individuals.
Respondents Obligation to Reply:
Voluntary.
Respondents: Potential and current
volunteers.
Burdent to the Public:
a. Estimated number of respondents:
400.
b. Estimated average burden per
response: 75 minutes.
c. Frequency of response: One Time.
d. Annual reporting burden: 500
hours.
General description of collection:
Durable medical equipment (DME is any
equipment that provides therapeutic
benefits to a patient in need because of
certain medical conditions and/or
illness. They consist of items that are
primarily and customarily used to serve
a medical purpose; are not useful to a
person in the absence of illness or
injury; are ordered or prescribed by a
physician; are reusable; can stand
repeated use, and are appropriate for
use in the home. Other devices covered
in this guidance include prosthetic
equipment (cardiac pacemakers),
hearing aids, orthotic items (artificial
devices such as braces and splints), and
prostheses (artificial body parts). The
information collected will assist in the
determination of Peace Corps eligibility.
If eligible, it will assist with ongoing
care during service. All applicants to the
Peace Corps must have a medical
clearance that will determine their
ability to serve in a particular country.
Request for Comment: Peace Corps
invites comments on whether the
proposed collections of information are
necessary for proper performance of the
functions of the Peace Corps, including
whether the information will have
practical use; the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the information
to be collected; and, ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to
respond, including through the use of
automated collection techniques, when
appropriate, and other forms of
information technology.
This notice is issued in Washington, DC on
March 1, 2016.
Denora Miller,
FOIA/Privacy Act Officer, Management.
[FR Doc. 2016–04899 Filed 3–4–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6051–01–P
PEACE CORPS
Information Collection Request;
Submission for OMB Review
AGENCY:
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Peace Corps.
07MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11841-11844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04930]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations 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.
DATES: All comments on the petitions must be received by the MSHA's
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before April 6,
2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: zzMSHA-comments@dol.gov. Include the docket
number of the petition in the subject line of the message.
2. Facsimile: 202-693-9441.
3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401,
Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452, Attention: Sheila McConnell, Acting
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances. Persons
delivering documents are required to check in at the receptionist's
desk in Suite 4E401. Individuals may inspect copies of the petitions
and comments during normal business hours at the address listed above.
MSHA will consider only comments postmarked by the U.S. Postal
Service or proof of delivery from another delivery service such as UPS
or Federal Express on or before the deadline for comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Barron, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9447 (Voice),
barron.barbara@dol.gov (Email), or 202-693-9441 (Facsimile). [These are
not toll-free numbers.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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
[[Page 11842]]
requirements and procedures for filing petitions for modification.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M-2016-002-C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining, 419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 49.2(b) (Availability of mine rescue
teams).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the reduction of two mine rescue teams with
five members and one alternate each to two mine rescue teams of three
members with one alternate for either team. The petitioner states that:
(1) The underground mine is a small mine and there is hardly enough
physical room to accommodate more than three or four miners in the
working places. An attempt to utilize five or more rescue team members
in the mine's confined working places would result in a diminution of
safety to both the miners at the mine and members of the rescue team.
(2) Records of Mine Emergency responses over the last 20 years
indicate that rescue and recovery operations conducted by Anthracite
Underground Rescue, Inc. (AUGR) have never utilized more than one team.
In addition, when one rescue team was utilized there were no more than
three members traveling to a working place simultaneously.
(3) The electric power does not reach beyond the bottom of the
slope. Therefore, all coal haulage is done by hand trammed cars or
battery electric motor and car at very slow rates of speed. These facts
considerably reduce the risk of a disaster and the need for as many
mine rescue team members as required by the regulations.
(4) The employment in the underground anthracite mines has
decreased substantially and the ratio of mine rescue teams to
underground miners has correspondingly been reduced. The loss of the
underground work force dramatically reduces the pool of qualified
people available to fill mine rescue positions.
(5) Pennsylvania Deep Mine Safety presently has four deep mine
inspectors that have deep mine rescue training and are pledged to
assist if required in an emergency. In addition, the surrounding small
mines have always provided assistance during mine emergencies.
(6) As a result of poor market conditions and a significant number
of underground mines now conducting final pillar recovery, the downward
trends are expected to continue.
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-2016-003-C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining, 419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.335 (Seal strength, design
application, and installation).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit an alternative method of seal construction
employing wooden material of moderate size and weight due to the
difficulty in accessing previously driven headings and breasts
containing the inaccessible abandoned workings through the use of
homemade ladders. The petitioner requests that a design criteria in the
10 psi range be accepted due to the non-explosibility of anthracite
coal dust and minimal potential for either an accumulation of methane
in previously mined pitching veins or an ignition source in the gob
area. The petitioner states that seals installed in pairs permit the
water trap to be installed only in the gangway seal (lowest elevation)
and sampling tube in the monkey (higher elevation) seal. The petitioner
also states that:
(1) The required transportation of solid concrete blocks or
equivalent materials manually on ladders on pitching anthracite veins
will expose miners to greater hazard(s) of falling, being struck by
falling materials or resulting strains or sprains due to the weight of
the materials.
(2) No evidence of ignition in accessible abandoned anthracite
workings has been found to date.
(3) In veins pitching greater than 45 degrees the weight of the
seal is transferred to the low side rib (coal).
(4) Irregularly shaped anthracite openings would require
substantial cutting of rectangular blocks to insure proper tie-in to
hitches in the top rock, bottom rock and low side coal rib.
(5) Concrete block and mortar construction for openings parallel to
the pitching vein would be almost impossible to construct and subject
to failure merely by its own weight.
(6) Isolation of inaccessible abandoned workings from an active
section will permit natural venting of any potential methane build-up
through surface breeches, and the mine has not experienced measurable
liberations of methane to date.
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-2016-004-C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining, 419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.360 (Preshift examination at fixed
intervals).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit an alternative method of examination and
evaluation, including a visual examination of each seal, for physical
damage from the slope gunboat during the pre-shift examination to occur
after an air quantity reading is taken just inby the intake portal. An
additional air reading and gas test for methane and oxygen deficiency
will then be taken at the intake air split location(s) just off the
slope in the gangway portion of the working section. The examiner will
place the date, time, and their initials at the locations where air
readings and gas tests are taken and the results will be properly
recorded prior to anyone entering the mine.
The slope will be traveled and physically examined for its entire
length on a monthly basis with dates, times and initials placed at
sufficient locations throughout, and results of the examination
recorded on the surface. Any hazards found will be corrected prior to
personnel transportation in the slope. The petitioner states that:
(1) The intake haulage slope on moderate to steep pitch of 66
degrees is equipped with a ladder as part of its escapeway requirement.
If an examination had to be conducted, platforms across the ladder at
multiple locations would require miners to climb around each platform
obstruction, significantly increasing a fall hazard down the slope.
(2) If examinations were conducted and platforms not provided, a
significant injury or fall potential exists each time a miner gets in
and out of the gunboat.
(3) Accurate air readings cannot be obtained with the gunboat
blocking a major portion of the intake slope. If platforms were
installed across the intake almost total restriction of the mine's only
intake would occur.
(4) Since the intake haulage slope is the mine's only intake,
oxygen deficiency is highly unlikely.
[[Page 11843]]
(5) Due to wet conditions in the mine, dates, times, and initials
frequently disappear in a matter of hours.
(6) Anthracite coal historically liberates methane only during
active mining thereby eliminating the likelihood of methane leaking
from inaccessible abandoned areas into the intake slope. Any such
leakage would be detected at the proposed sampling location at each
intake air split on the gangway.
(7) The return slope airway is located immediately adjacent to the
intake slope and air leakage would occur toward the return.
(8) While air losses from the intake to the return slopes are
anticipated, a significant change in readings from those of the
previous day to week would warrant additional air readings and gas test
at various locations in the slope. Significant changes in readings,
however, occur on a seasonal basis as a result of natural ventilation
changes and should not be use as a basis for evaluating the efficiency
of the mine's ventilation system.
(9) Only increases in air quantity readings obtained just inby the
slope portal when measured in the slope are indicative of air leakage
through seals in the wrong direction.
(10) Examination of the intake haulage slope on a monthly basis
will ensure the safety of miners traveling the intake escapeway and
significantly minimize the fall hazard potential of miners conducting
examinations.
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-2016-005-C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining, 419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-10110, located in
Northumberland 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 in lieu of
contour lines through the intake slope, at locations of rock tunnel
connections between veins, and at 1,000 feet intervals of advance from
the intake slope and to limit the required mapping of miner workings
above and below to those present within 100 feet of the vein(s) being
mined unless veins are interconnected to other veins beyond the 100
feet limit, through rock tunnels. 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) Use of cross-sections in lieu of contour lines has been
practiced since the late 1800's and provides critical information
relative to the spacing between vein 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 which 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 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 found
to exist beyond 100 feet from the mine are recognized as presenting no
hazard to the mine due to the pitch of the vein rock separation
between.
(6) The mine workings above and below are usually inactive and
abandoned and 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 to be mined and flooded and appropriate
precautions taken through Sec. 75.388, 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 the beginning of 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-2016-006-C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining, 419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202 and 75.1202-1(a) (Temporary
notations, revisions and requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the required 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 is required by Sec. 75.388 or plan for mining into
inaccessible areas is required by Sec. 75.389. 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 use 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.
(4) The available engineering/surveyor resources are limited in the
anthracite coal fields. 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-2016-007-C.
Petitioner: Clinton M Wynn Mining, 419 Shingara Lane, Sunbury,
Pennsylvania 17801.
Mine: Bottom Rock Slope, MSHA I.D. No. 36-10110, located in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400 (Hoisting equipment; general).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of a gunboat to transport persons
without safety catches or other no less effective devices because, to
date, no such safety catch or device is available for steeply pitching
and undulating slopes with numerous curves and knuckles present in the
main haulage slopes of anthracite mines. These mines range in length
from 30 to 4200 feet and vary in pitch from 12 degrees and 75 degrees.
The petitioner states that:
(1) A functional safety catch has not yet been developed;
consequently, the makeshift devices, if installed, would be activated
on knuckles and curves when no emergency exists causing a tumbling
effect on the conveyance that would increase rather than decrease the
hazard to miners.
[[Page 11844]]
(2) As an alternative, the petitioner proposes to operate the man
cage or steel gunboat with secondary safety connections securely
fastened around the gunboat and to the hoisting rope above the main
connecting device and use hoisting ropes having a factor of safety in
excess of the 4 to 8 to 1 as suggested in the American Standards
Specifications for the Use of Wire Rope for Mines.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will
provide no less than the same measure or protection afforded the miners
under the existing standard.
Sheila McConnell,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2016-04930 Filed 3-4-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
