Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 61032-61035 [2017-27666]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices
functional limitations, sleep, and an
open-ended question asking whether the
respondent wants to report anything
additional about his or her health.
Round 28 bolsters the retirement
expectations section to collect new
information on how the respondents
plan to fund their retirement and on
their knowledge about Social Security.
We will add questions on whether, at
what age, and how much per month the
respondent expects to collect Social
Security retirement benefits. We will
ask similar questions for employerbased pensions and Individual
Retirement Accounts. In all three
instances, parallel questions will be
asked about the spouse/partner’s
expected sources of income. We will
also ask the estimated value of other
assets the respondent might live off of
during retirement and whether she
expects support from family members.
The questions on knowledge of Social
Security benefits will ask about the
timing of starting retirement benefits
and several true/false questions that ask
about what entitles one to Social
Security retirement benefits and how
the timing of claiming affects the
benefits.
Most of the changes made to the
Young Adult questionnaire for 2018
have been made to streamline questions
and sections in order to cut down on the
amount of time it takes for a respondent
to complete an interview. The Young
Adult sample will includes 663
respondents ages 12–22 and 5,663
respondents age 23 and older in Round
28.
The questions added to the Young
Adult questionnaire expand our
understanding of both physical and
mental/emotional health and well-being
such as gender identity and sexual
orientation, resiliency, loneliness and
social isolation, self-worth, and social
cognition.
III. Desired Focus of Comments
The BLS 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.
Title of Collection: National
Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979.
OMB Number: 1220–0109.
Type of Review: Revision, with
change, of a previously approved
collection.
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
ESTIMATED TOTAL BURDEN HOURS
Total
respondents
Form
Frequency
Total
responses
Average time
per response
(minutes)
Estimated
total burden
(hours)
NLSY79 Round 27 Main Survey .........................................
Round 27 Validation Interviews ...........................................
Young Adult Survey (Ages 12 to 13) ..................................
Young Adult Survey (Ages 14 to 18) ..................................
Young Adult Survey (Ages 19 to 24) ..................................
Young Adult Survey, Grant component (Age 25 to 28),
interview.
Young Adult Survey, Grant component (Age 29 and
older), interview.
6,900
10
20
294
962
1,210
Biennially
Biennially
Biennially
Biennially
Biennially
Biennially
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
.......
6,900
10
20
294
962
1,210
75
6
50
66
63
60
8,625
1
17
323
1,010
1,210
2,574
Biennially .......
2,574
70
3,003
Totals 1 ..........................................................................
11,960
........................
11,970
........................
14,189
1 The
total number of 11,960 respondents across all the survey instruments is a mutually exclusive count that does not include the 10 reinterview respondents, who were previously counted among the main and young adult survey respondents.
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.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 19th day of
December 2017.
Kimberley D. Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems.
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[FR Doc. 2017–27662 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P
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Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of
Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standards
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
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 MSHA’s Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances
on or before January 25, 2018.
SUMMARY:
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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, 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 petition and
ADDRESSES:
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices
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: 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.
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
(Secretary) determines that:
1. An alternative method of achieving
the result of such standard exists which
will at all times guarantee no less than
the same measure of protection afforded
the miners of such mine by such
standard; or
2. That the application of such
standard to such mine will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners in
such mine.
In addition, the regulations at 30 CFR
44.10 and 44.11 establish the
requirements and procedures for filing
petitions for modification.
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II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M–2017–024–C.
Petitioner: ICG Illinois, LLC, 5945
Lester Road, Williamsville, Illinois
62693.
Mine: Viper Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 11–
02664, located in Sangamon County,
Illinois.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.500(d)
(Permissible electric equipment).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of
nonpermissible electronic testing or
diagnostic equipment inby the last open
crosscut. The petitioner states that:
(1) The use of nonpermissible
electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be limited to: Laptop
computers; oscilloscopes; vibration
analysis machines; cable fault detectors;
point temperature probes; infrared
temperature devices; insulation testers
(meggers); voltage, current, resistance,
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and power measurement devices;
ultrasonic thickness gauges; electronic
component testers; and electronic
tachometers. Other testing and
diagnostic equipment may be used if
approved in advance by the MSHA
District Manager.
(2) All nonpermissible electronic
testing and diagnostic equipment used
in or inby the last open crosscut will be
examined by a qualified person, as
defined in 30 CFR 75.153, prior to use
to ensure the equipment is being
maintained in a safe operating
condition. The examinations results will
be recorded weekly in the examination
book and will be made available to
MSHA and the miners at the mine.
(3) A qualified person, as defined in
30 CFR 75.151, will continuously
monitor for methane immediately before
and during the use of nonpermissible
electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment in or inby the last open
crosscut.
(4) Nonpermissible electronic testing
and diagnostic equipment will not be
used if methane is detected in
concentrations at or above one percent.
When one percent or more methane
concentration is detected while the
nonpermissible electronic equipment is
being used, the equipment will be
deenergized immediately and the
nonpermissible electronic equipment
will be withdrawn outby the last open
crosscut.
(5) All hand-held methane detectors
will be MSHA-approved and
maintained in permissible and proper
operating condition as defined in 30
CFR 75.320.
(6) Except for time necessary to
troubleshoot under actual mining
conditions, coal production in the
Mechanized Mining Unit will cease.
However, coal may remain in or on the
equipment to test and diagnose the
equipment under ‘‘load.’’
(7) All electronic testing and
diagnostic equipment will be used in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
(8) Qualified personnel who use
electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be properly trained to
recognize the hazards and limitations
associated with use of such equipment.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will at all
times guarantee no less than the same
measure of protection afforded by the
existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2017–025–C.
Petitioner: ICG Illinois, LLC, 5945
Lester Road, Williamsville, Illinois
62693.
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Mine: Viper Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 11–
02664, located in Sangamon County,
Illinois.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507–
1(a) (Electric equipment other than
power-connection points; outby the last
open crosscut; return air; permissibility
requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of
nonpermissible electronic testing or
diagnostic equipment in return air outby
the last open crosscut. The petitioner
states that:
(1) The use of nonpermissible
electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be limited to: Laptop
computers; oscilloscopes; vibration
analysis machines; cable fault detectors;
point temperature probes; infrared
temperature devices; insulation testers
(meggers); voltage, current, resistance,
and power measurement devices;
ultrasonic thickness gauges; electronic
component testers; and electronic
tachometers. Other testing and
diagnostic equipment may be used if
approved in advance by the MSHA
District Manager.
(2) All nonpermissible electronic
testing and diagnostic equipment used
in return air outby the last open crosscut
will be examined by a qualified person,
as defined in 30 CFR 75.153, prior to
use to ensure the equipment is being
maintained in a safe operating
condition. The examinations results will
be recorded weekly in the examination
book and will be made available to
MSHA and the miners at the mine.
(3) A qualified person, as defined in
30 CFR 75.151, will continuously
monitor for methane immediately before
and during the use of nonpermissible
electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment in return air outby the last
open crosscut.
(4) Nonpermissible electronic testing
and diagnostic equipment will not be
used if methane is detected in
concentrations at or above one percent.
When one percent or more methane
concentration is detected while the
nonpermissible electronic equipment is
being used, the equipment will be
deenergized immediately and the
nonpermissible electronic equipment
will be withdrawn from the return air
outby the last open crosscut.
(5) All hand-held methane detectors
will be MSHA-approved and
maintained in permissible and proper
operating condition as defined in 30
CFR 75.320.
(6) Except for time necessary to
troubleshoot under actual mining
conditions, coal production in the
Mechanized Mining Unit will cease.
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However, coal may remain in or on the
equipment to test and diagnose the
equipment under ‘‘load.’’
(7) All electronic testing and
diagnostic equipment will be used in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
(8) Qualified personnel who use
electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be properly trained to
recognize the hazards and limitations
associated with use of such equipment.
The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will at all
times guarantee no less than the same
measure of protection afforded by the
existing standard.
Docket Number: M–2017–026–C.
Petitioner: Rosebud Mining Company,
301 Market Street, Kittanning,
Pennsylvania 16201.
Mine: Cresson Mine, MSHA I.D. No.
36–09308, located in Cambria County,
Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503
(Permissible electric face equipment;
maintenance) and 18.35(a)(5)(i)
(Portable (trailing) cables and cords).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the existing
standard to permit the use of 480-volt
extended trailing cables on Mobile
Bridge Conveyors, Dual Boom Roof
Bolters, Truss Bolters, Single Boom Roof
Bolters, and Shuttle Cars and 995-volt
extended trailing cables on continuous
mining machines. The petitioner states
that:
(1) Table 9 in Appendix 1 specifies
the maximum length of trailing cables
as: 600 feet using No. 4 American Wire
Gauge (AWG) cables, 700 feet using No.
2 AWG cable, 850 feet using No. 2/0
AWG cable, and 1,000 feet using No.
4/0 AWG cable.
(2) Trailing cables that supply 995volt 3-phase Alternating Current (AC) to
continuous miners will not be smaller
than No. 2/0 AWG shielded cable and
will not exceed a length of:
a. 1,000 feet when using No. 2/0 AWG
shielded cable; or
b. 1,250 feet when using No. 4/0 AWG
shielded cable.
(3) Trailing cables that supply 480volt 3-phase AC to mobile bridge
conveyors will not be smaller than No.
2/0 AWG cable and will not exceed a
length of:
a. 1,000 feet when using 2/0 AWG
cable; or
b. 1,250 feet when using No. 4/0 AWG
cable.
(4) Trailing cables that supply 480volt 3-phase AC to the Fletcher Dual
Boom Roof Bolter and Fletcher Tilt
Head Truss Bolter will not exceed 1,200
feet in length when using No. 2 AWG
cable.
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(5) Trailing cables that supply 480volt 3-phase AC to the Long Airdox
Single Head Roof Bolter will not exceed
900 feet in length when using No. 4
AWG cable.
(6) Trailing cables that supply 480volt 3-phase AC to shuttle cars will not
exceed 900 feet in length when using
No. 4 AWG cable.
(7) All circuit breakers used to protect
No. 4 AWG trailing cable exceeding 600
feet in length will have instantaneous
trip units calibrated and sealed to trip
at 500 amperes with +/¥ 10 percent trip
tolerance. The circuit breakers will have
permanent, legible labels attached. The
label will identify the circuit breaker as
being suitable for protecting No. 4 AWG
cables.
(8) Replacement circuit breakers and/
or instantaneous trip units used to
protect No. 4 AWG cables will be
calibrated and sealed to trip at 500
amperes with +/¥10 percent trip
tolerance.
(9) All circuit breakers used to protect
No. 2 AWG cables exceeding 700 feet in
length will have instantaneous trip units
calibrated and sealed to trip at 500
amperes with +/¥10 percent trip
tolerance. The circuit breakers will have
permanent, legible labels. The label will
identify the circuit breaker as being
suitable for protecting No. 2 AWG
cables.
(10) Replacement circuit breakers
and/or instantaneous trip units used to
protect No. 2 AWG cables will be
calibrated and sealed to trip at 500
amperes with +/¥10 percent trip
tolerance.
(11) All circuit breakers used to
protect No. 2/0 AWG cables or No. 4/0
AWG cables exceeding 850 feet in
length will have instantaneous units
calibrated and sealed to trip at 1,500
amperes with +/¥10 percent trip
tolerance.
(12) These circuit breakers will have
permanent, legible labels. The label will
identify the circuit breaker as being
suitable for protecting No. 2/0 AWG or
No. 4/0 AWG cables.
(13) Replacement circuit breakers
and/or instantaneous trip units used to
protect No. 2/0 AWG or No. 4 AWG
cables will be calibrated and sealed to
trip at 1,500 amperes with +/¥10
percent trip tolerance.
(14) All components that provide
short-circuit protection will have a
sufficient interruption rating in
accordance with the maximum
calculated fault currents available.
(15) During production, persons
designated by the operator will visually
examine the trailing cables daily to
ensure the cables are in safe operating
condition and that the instantaneous
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settings of the specially calibrated
breakers do not have seals removed or
have been tampered with and they do
not exceed the stipulated settings.
(16) Trailing cables not in safe
operating condition will be removed
from service immediately and repaired
or replaced.
(17) Splices or repairs in the trailing
cables will be made in a workmanlike
manner, in accordance with the
instruction of the manufacturer of the
splice or repair materials. The splice or
repair will comply with the
requirements in 30 CFR 75.603 and
75.604.
(18) Permanent warning labels will be
installed and maintained on the cover or
covers of the power center identifying
the location of each sealed short circuit
protective device. These labels will
warn miners not to change or alter these
sealed short circuit settings.
(19) Excess cable will be stored
behind the anchor(s) on equipment that
use cable reels to prevent the cables
from overheating.
(20) Petitioner will not implement
this change until the petition for
modification is approved and not until
all miners who will be responsible for
examination of the cables and
associated electrical components have
been trained on the contents and
precautions included in the petition.
(21) Within 60 days after the proposed
decision and order becomes final, the
petitioner will submit proposed
revisions for the approved 30 CFR part
48 training plan to the District Manager.
These proposed revisions will specify
task training for miners designated to
examine the trailing cables for safe
operating condition, and verify the
settings of the circuit breakers that
protect the trailing cables do not exceed
the specified settings in Items 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, and 13. The training will include
the following elements:
a. The hazards of setting the circuit
breakers too high to adequately protect
the trailing cables.
b. How to verify that the circuit
breakers protecting the trailing cables
are properly set and maintained.
c. Mining methods and operating
procedures that will protect the trailing
cables against damage.
d. The proper procedure for visually
examining trailing cables to ensure the
cables are in safe operating condition by
inspecting the entire cable for nicks and
abrasions and observing the insulation
and integrity of any splices or repairs.
The procedure as specified in 30 CFR
48.3 for approval of proposed revisions
to already approved training plans will
apply.
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The petitioner asserts that the
proposed alternative method will at all
times guarantee no less than the same
measure of protection afforded by the
existing standard.
Sheila McConnell,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations,
and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2017–27666 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520–43–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
[Docket No. OSHA–2011–0189]
Servicing Multi-Piece and Single Piece
Rim Wheels; Extension of the Office of
Management and Budget’s (OMB)
Approval of Information Collection
(Paperwork) Requirements
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
AGENCY:
OSHA solicits public
comments concerning its proposal to
extend the Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) approval of the
information collection requirements
specified in the Standard on Servicing
Multi-Piece and Single Piece Rim
Wheels. The paperwork provisions of
the Standard includes a requirement
that the manufacturer or a Registered
Professional Engineer certify that
repaired restraining devices and barriers
meet the strength requirements
specified in the Standard and a
requirement that defective wheels and
wheel components be marked or tagged.
DATES: Comments must be submitted
(postmarked, sent, or received) by
February 26, 2018.
ADDRESSES:
Electronically: You may submit
comments and attachments
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, which is the
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the
instructions online for submitting
comments.
Facsimile: If your comments,
including attachments, are not longer
than 10 pages, you may fax them to the
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693–1648.
Mail, hand delivery, express mail,
messenger, or courier service: When
using this method, you must submit a
copy of your comments and attachments
to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No.
OSHA–2011–0189, Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor, Room N–3653,
200 Constitution Avenue NW,
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SUMMARY:
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Washington, DC 20210. Deliveries
(hand, express mail, messenger, and
courier services) are accepted during the
Docket Office’s normal business hours,
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ET.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the Agency name and OSHA
docket number (OSHA–2011–0189) for
the Information Collection Request
(ICR). All comments, including any
personal information you provide, are
placed in the public docket without
change, and may be made available
online at https://www.regulations.gov.
For further information on submitting
comments, see the ‘‘Public
Participation’’ heading in the section of
this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
Docket: To read or download
comments or other materials in the
docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov
or the OSHA Docket Office at the
address above. All documents in the
docket (including this Federal Register
notice) are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov_index; however,
some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to
read or download from the website. All
submissions, including copyrighted
material, are available for inspection
and copying at the OSHA Docket Office.
You may also contact Theda Kenney at
the address below to obtain a copy of
the ICR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theda Kenney or Charles McCormick,
Directorate of Standards and Guidance,
OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor;
telephone (202) 693–2222.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Department of Labor, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork
and respondent (i.e., employer) burden,
conducts a preclearance consultation
program to provide the public with an
opportunity to comment on proposed
and continuing information collection
requirements in accord with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
(44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program
ensures that information is in the
desired format, reporting burden (time
and costs) is minimal, collection
instruments are clearly understood, and
OSHA’s estimate of the information
collection burden is accurate. The
Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et
seq.) authorizes information collection
by employers as necessary or
appropriate for enforcement of the OSH
Act or for developing information
regarding the causes and prevention of
occupational injuries, illnesses, and
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61035
accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act
also requires that OSHA obtain such
information with minimum burden
upon employers, especially those
operating small businesses, and to
reduce to the maximum extent feasible
unnecessary duplication of efforts in
obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657).
Certification of repair
(§ 1910.177(d)(3)(iv)). This paragraph
requires that when restraining devices
and barriers are removed from service
because they are defective, they shall
not be returned to service until they are
repaired and reinspected. If the repair is
structural, the manufacturer or a
Registered Professional Engineer must
certify that the strength requirements
specified in § 1910.177(d)(3)(i) of the
Standard have been met.
The certification records are used to
assure that equipment has been properly
repaired. The certification records also
provide the most efficient means for
OSHA compliance officers to determine
that an employer is complying with the
Standard.
Marking or tagging of wheel
components (1910.177(e)(2)). This
paragraph requires that defective wheels
and wheel components ‘‘be marked or
tagged unserviceable and removed from
the service area.’’ Under this
requirement, OSHA is providing
employers with sufficient information
from which they can derive the wording
to use in marking the object or
constructing a tag. Therefore, this
provision imposes no paperwork burden
because it falls within the portion of 5
CFR 1320(c)(2) that states, ‘‘The public
disclosure of information originally
supplied by the Federal government to
the recipient for the purpose of
disclosure to the public is not included
within this definition [of ‘collection of
information’]’’.
II. Special Issues for Comment
OSHA has a particular interest in
comments on the following issues:
• Whether the proposed information
collection requirements are necessary
for the proper performance of the
Agency’s functions, including whether
the information is useful;
• The accuracy of OSHA’s estimate of
the burden (time and costs) of the
information collection requirements,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
• The quality, utility, and clarity of
the information collected; and
• Ways to minimize the burden on
employers who must comply. For
example, by using automated or other
technological information collection
and transmission techniques.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61032-61035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27666]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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: 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 MSHA's Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before January 25, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
1. Electronic Mail: [email protected]. 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, 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 petition and
[[Page 61033]]
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),
[email protected] (Email), or 202-693-9441 (Facsimile). [These are
not toll-free numbers.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
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 (Secretary)
determines that:
1. An alternative method of achieving the result of such standard
exists which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure
of protection afforded the miners of such mine by such standard; or
2. That the application of such standard to such mine will result
in a diminution of safety to the miners in such mine.
In addition, the regulations at 30 CFR 44.10 and 44.11 establish
the requirements and procedures for filing petitions for modification.
II. Petitions for Modification
Docket Number: M-2017-024-C.
Petitioner: ICG Illinois, LLC, 5945 Lester Road, Williamsville,
Illinois 62693.
Mine: Viper Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 11-02664, located in Sangamon
County, Illinois.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.500(d) (Permissible electric
equipment).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of nonpermissible electronic
testing or diagnostic equipment inby the last open crosscut. The
petitioner states that:
(1) The use of nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be limited to: Laptop computers; oscilloscopes;
vibration analysis machines; cable fault detectors; point temperature
probes; infrared temperature devices; insulation testers (meggers);
voltage, current, resistance, and power measurement devices; ultrasonic
thickness gauges; electronic component testers; and electronic
tachometers. Other testing and diagnostic equipment may be used if
approved in advance by the MSHA District Manager.
(2) All nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic equipment
used in or inby the last open crosscut will be examined by a qualified
person, as defined in 30 CFR 75.153, prior to use to ensure the
equipment is being maintained in a safe operating condition. The
examinations results will be recorded weekly in the examination book
and will be made available to MSHA and the miners at the mine.
(3) A qualified person, as defined in 30 CFR 75.151, will
continuously monitor for methane immediately before and during the use
of nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic equipment in or
inby the last open crosscut.
(4) Nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic equipment will
not be used if methane is detected in concentrations at or above one
percent. When one percent or more methane concentration is detected
while the nonpermissible electronic equipment is being used, the
equipment will be deenergized immediately and the nonpermissible
electronic equipment will be withdrawn outby the last open crosscut.
(5) All hand-held methane detectors will be MSHA-approved and
maintained in permissible and proper operating condition as defined in
30 CFR 75.320.
(6) Except for time necessary to troubleshoot under actual mining
conditions, coal production in the Mechanized Mining Unit will cease.
However, coal may remain in or on the equipment to test and diagnose
the equipment under ``load.''
(7) All electronic testing and diagnostic equipment will be used in
accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(8) Qualified personnel who use electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be properly trained to recognize the hazards and
limitations associated with use of such equipment.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will at
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection
afforded by the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2017-025-C.
Petitioner: ICG Illinois, LLC, 5945 Lester Road, Williamsville,
Illinois 62693.
Mine: Viper Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 11-02664, located in Sangamon
County, Illinois.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507-1(a) (Electric equipment other
than power-connection points; outby the last open crosscut; return air;
permissibility requirements).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of nonpermissible electronic
testing or diagnostic equipment in return air outby the last open
crosscut. The petitioner states that:
(1) The use of nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be limited to: Laptop computers; oscilloscopes;
vibration analysis machines; cable fault detectors; point temperature
probes; infrared temperature devices; insulation testers (meggers);
voltage, current, resistance, and power measurement devices; ultrasonic
thickness gauges; electronic component testers; and electronic
tachometers. Other testing and diagnostic equipment may be used if
approved in advance by the MSHA District Manager.
(2) All nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic equipment
used in return air outby the last open crosscut will be examined by a
qualified person, as defined in 30 CFR 75.153, prior to use to ensure
the equipment is being maintained in a safe operating condition. The
examinations results will be recorded weekly in the examination book
and will be made available to MSHA and the miners at the mine.
(3) A qualified person, as defined in 30 CFR 75.151, will
continuously monitor for methane immediately before and during the use
of nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic equipment in return
air outby the last open crosscut.
(4) Nonpermissible electronic testing and diagnostic equipment will
not be used if methane is detected in concentrations at or above one
percent. When one percent or more methane concentration is detected
while the nonpermissible electronic equipment is being used, the
equipment will be deenergized immediately and the nonpermissible
electronic equipment will be withdrawn from the return air outby the
last open crosscut.
(5) All hand-held methane detectors will be MSHA-approved and
maintained in permissible and proper operating condition as defined in
30 CFR 75.320.
(6) Except for time necessary to troubleshoot under actual mining
conditions, coal production in the Mechanized Mining Unit will cease.
[[Page 61034]]
However, coal may remain in or on the equipment to test and diagnose
the equipment under ``load.''
(7) All electronic testing and diagnostic equipment will be used in
accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
(8) Qualified personnel who use electronic testing and diagnostic
equipment will be properly trained to recognize the hazards and
limitations associated with use of such equipment.
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will at
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection
afforded by the existing standard.
Docket Number: M-2017-026-C.
Petitioner: Rosebud Mining Company, 301 Market Street, Kittanning,
Pennsylvania 16201.
Mine: Cresson Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09308, located in Cambria
County, Pennsylvania.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face
equipment; maintenance) and 18.35(a)(5)(i) (Portable (trailing) cables
and cords).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
existing standard to permit the use of 480-volt extended trailing
cables on Mobile Bridge Conveyors, Dual Boom Roof Bolters, Truss
Bolters, Single Boom Roof Bolters, and Shuttle Cars and 995-volt
extended trailing cables on continuous mining machines. The petitioner
states that:
(1) Table 9 in Appendix 1 specifies the maximum length of trailing
cables as: 600 feet using No. 4 American Wire Gauge (AWG) cables, 700
feet using No. 2 AWG cable, 850 feet using No. 2/0 AWG cable, and 1,000
feet using No. 4/0 AWG cable.
(2) Trailing cables that supply 995-volt 3-phase Alternating
Current (AC) to continuous miners will not be smaller than No. 2/0 AWG
shielded cable and will not exceed a length of:
a. 1,000 feet when using No. 2/0 AWG shielded cable; or
b. 1,250 feet when using No. 4/0 AWG shielded cable.
(3) Trailing cables that supply 480-volt 3-phase AC to mobile
bridge conveyors will not be smaller than No. 2/0 AWG cable and will
not exceed a length of:
a. 1,000 feet when using 2/0 AWG cable; or
b. 1,250 feet when using No. 4/0 AWG cable.
(4) Trailing cables that supply 480-volt 3-phase AC to the Fletcher
Dual Boom Roof Bolter and Fletcher Tilt Head Truss Bolter will not
exceed 1,200 feet in length when using No. 2 AWG cable.
(5) Trailing cables that supply 480-volt 3-phase AC to the Long
Airdox Single Head Roof Bolter will not exceed 900 feet in length when
using No. 4 AWG cable.
(6) Trailing cables that supply 480-volt 3-phase AC to shuttle cars
will not exceed 900 feet in length when using No. 4 AWG cable.
(7) All circuit breakers used to protect No. 4 AWG trailing cable
exceeding 600 feet in length will have instantaneous trip units
calibrated and sealed to trip at 500 amperes with +/- 10 percent trip
tolerance. The circuit breakers will have permanent, legible labels
attached. The label will identify the circuit breaker as being suitable
for protecting No. 4 AWG cables.
(8) Replacement circuit breakers and/or instantaneous trip units
used to protect No. 4 AWG cables will be calibrated and sealed to trip
at 500 amperes with +/-10 percent trip tolerance.
(9) All circuit breakers used to protect No. 2 AWG cables exceeding
700 feet in length will have instantaneous trip units calibrated and
sealed to trip at 500 amperes with +/-10 percent trip tolerance. The
circuit breakers will have permanent, legible labels. The label will
identify the circuit breaker as being suitable for protecting No. 2 AWG
cables.
(10) Replacement circuit breakers and/or instantaneous trip units
used to protect No. 2 AWG cables will be calibrated and sealed to trip
at 500 amperes with +/-10 percent trip tolerance.
(11) All circuit breakers used to protect No. 2/0 AWG cables or No.
4/0 AWG cables exceeding 850 feet in length will have instantaneous
units calibrated and sealed to trip at 1,500 amperes with +/-10 percent
trip tolerance.
(12) These circuit breakers will have permanent, legible labels.
The label will identify the circuit breaker as being suitable for
protecting No. 2/0 AWG or No. 4/0 AWG cables.
(13) Replacement circuit breakers and/or instantaneous trip units
used to protect No. 2/0 AWG or No. 4 AWG cables will be calibrated and
sealed to trip at 1,500 amperes with +/-10 percent trip tolerance.
(14) All components that provide short-circuit protection will have
a sufficient interruption rating in accordance with the maximum
calculated fault currents available.
(15) During production, persons designated by the operator will
visually examine the trailing cables daily to ensure the cables are in
safe operating condition and that the instantaneous settings of the
specially calibrated breakers do not have seals removed or have been
tampered with and they do not exceed the stipulated settings.
(16) Trailing cables not in safe operating condition will be
removed from service immediately and repaired or replaced.
(17) Splices or repairs in the trailing cables will be made in a
workmanlike manner, in accordance with the instruction of the
manufacturer of the splice or repair materials. The splice or repair
will comply with the requirements in 30 CFR 75.603 and 75.604.
(18) Permanent warning labels will be installed and maintained on
the cover or covers of the power center identifying the location of
each sealed short circuit protective device. These labels will warn
miners not to change or alter these sealed short circuit settings.
(19) Excess cable will be stored behind the anchor(s) on equipment
that use cable reels to prevent the cables from overheating.
(20) Petitioner will not implement this change until the petition
for modification is approved and not until all miners who will be
responsible for examination of the cables and associated electrical
components have been trained on the contents and precautions included
in the petition.
(21) Within 60 days after the proposed decision and order becomes
final, the petitioner will submit proposed revisions for the approved
30 CFR part 48 training plan to the District Manager. These proposed
revisions will specify task training for miners designated to examine
the trailing cables for safe operating condition, and verify the
settings of the circuit breakers that protect the trailing cables do
not exceed the specified settings in Items 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
The training will include the following elements:
a. The hazards of setting the circuit breakers too high to
adequately protect the trailing cables.
b. How to verify that the circuit breakers protecting the trailing
cables are properly set and maintained.
c. Mining methods and operating procedures that will protect the
trailing cables against damage.
d. The proper procedure for visually examining trailing cables to
ensure the cables are in safe operating condition by inspecting the
entire cable for nicks and abrasions and observing the insulation and
integrity of any splices or repairs.
The procedure as specified in 30 CFR 48.3 for approval of proposed
revisions to already approved training plans will apply.
[[Page 61035]]
The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method will at
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection
afforded by the existing standard.
Sheila McConnell,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2017-27666 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
