Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standard, 37682-37684 [2019-16390]
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37682
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 148 / Thursday, August 1, 2019 / Notices
Written
comments and suggestions from the
public and affected agencies concerning
the proposed collection of information
are encouraged. Your comments should
address one or more of the following
four points:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
—Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the National Institute of
Justice, 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;
—Evaluate whether and if so how the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected can be
enhanced; and
—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 submission of
responses.
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Overview of This Information
Collection
1. Type of Information Collection:
New survey.
2. The Title of the Form/Collection:
‘‘The National Baseline Study on Public
Health, Wellness, & Safety’’.
3. The agency form number, if any,
and the applicable component of the
Department sponsoring the collection:
The applicable component within the
U.S. Department of Justice is the
National Institute of Justice.
4. Affected public who will be asked
or required to respond, as well as a brief
abstract: Title IX, Section 904(a) of the
Violence Against Women and
Department of Justice Reauthorization
Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005), Public Law
No. 109–162 (codified at 42 U.S.C.
3796gg–10 note), as amended by Section
907 of the Violence Against Women
Reauthorization Act, Public Law
No.113–4, mandates that the National
Institute of Justice (NIJ), in consultation
with the U.S. Department of Justice’s
Office on Violence Against Women
(OVW), conduct a National Baseline
Study (NBS) on violence against
American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native
(AN) women living in tribal
communities. NIJ’s NBS will examine
violence against AI and AN women
(including domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking)
and identify factors that place AI and
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Jkt 247001
AN women at risk for victimization and
propose recommendations to improve
effectiveness of these responses. NIJ’s
NBS survey was designed to: (1) Provide
an accurate reporting of violence against
AI and AN women in tribal
communities; (2) provide reliable, valid
estimates of the scope of the problem;
and (3) identify barriers to and possible
solutions for dealing with these
significant public safety issues.
The NBS will be conducted in
geographically dispersed tribal
communities across the U.S. (lower 48
and Alaska) using a NIJ-developed
sampling strategy for which the primary
aim is to provide an accurate national
victimization rate of violence against
adult AI and AN women specifically
living in tribal communities. This
information collection is a one-time
information collection and is expected
to take approximately thirty-six months
from the time the first participant is
enrolled until the last survey is
administered.
The NBS is critical to quantifying the
magnitude of violence and victimization
in tribal communities and
understanding service needs. At the end
of this study, the NBS is expected to
produce a deeper understanding of the
issues faced by Native American women
living in Indian Country and Alaska
Native villages and help formulate
public policies and prevention strategies
to decrease the incidence of violent
crimes against AI and AN women.
5. An estimate of the total number of
respondents and the amount of time
estimated for an average respondent to
respond: The estimated range of burden
for respondents is expected to be
between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours for
completion. Based on instrument testing
results, we expect an average of 60
minutes per respondent. The following
factors were considered when creating
the burden estimate: The estimated total
number of sites (40), households within
sites (25), and respondents within
households (1.5) in the sampling plan
for a total of 1,500 expected
respondents. NIJ estimates that nearly
all of the approximately 1,500
respondents will fully complete the
questionnaire.
6. An estimate of the total public
burden (in hours) associated with the
collection: The estimated public burden
associated with this collection is 1,500
hours. It is estimated that each of the
1,500 respondents will take 1 hour to
complete a questionnaire (1,500
respondents × 1 hour = 1,500 hours). We
estimate a 36-month data collection
period, with approximately half of the
interviews completed each year, or an
annualized burden of 500 hours.
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If additional information is required
contact: Melody Braswell, Department
Clearance Officer, United States
Department of Justice, Justice
Management Division, Policy and
Planning Staff, Two Constitution
Square, 145 N Street NE, 3E.405A,
Washington, DC 20530.
Dated: July 29, 2019.
Melody Braswell,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S.
Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2019–16391 Filed 7–31–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–23–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of
Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standard
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice is a summary of
petition for modification submitted to
the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the parties
listed below.
DATES: All comments on the petition
must be received by MSHA’s Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances
on or before September 3, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your
comments, identified by ‘‘docket
number’’ on the subject line, by any of
the following methods:
1. Email: 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, 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 a copy of the petition 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:
Sheila McConnell, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202–693–
9447 (voice),
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 148 / Thursday, August 1, 2019 / Notices
mcconnell.sheila.a@dol.gov (email), or
202–693–9440 (fax). [These are not tollfree 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.
jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
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–2019–020–C.
Petitioner: Rockwell Mining, LLC, 300
Kanawha Boulevard, East (ZIP 25301),
P.O. Box 273, Charleston, West Virginia
25321–0273.
Mine: Matewan Tunnel Mine, MSHA
I.D. No. 46–08610, located in Boone
County, West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR
75.1108(c) (Approved conveyor belts).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of the Part 14
belt standard because the unique layout
of the mine as well as additional safety
measures that will be put in place will
make the conveyor belt in the Tunnel
Mine at least as safe as compliance with
Part 14.
The petitioner states that:
(1) The Tunnel Mine is a straight,
three-entry tunnel mine developed in
1998. The mine has been non-producing
since 1998. At the time of development,
the sole purpose of the project was to
provide an excavation to install a
conveyor system to transport raw coal.
The seam is 33 inches thick, requiring
48 inches of outseam excavation to
facilitate the conveyor system. The
Tunnel Mine does not liberate any
methane.
(2) The Tunnel Mine consists of three
entries developed on a straight course
10,500 feet from outcrop to outcrop. The
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Jkt 247001
roof in the belt entry (center entry) is
supported by 6-foot fully grouted bolts
with T5 steel channels in every row.
Steel straps and four-foot conventional
bolts support the ribs. The final
conveyor structure is offset in the entry
to provide complete access along its
entire length. Thus, the ventilation
system will not likely be compromised
by roof or rib integrity measures.
(3) The 42-inch conveyor is 12,445
feet long and is powered by two
separate drive installations located on
the surface at each end of the
underground excavation (500 HP at
Rocklick and 1,000 HP at Harris). The
conveyor is uniquely designed to turn
over on each end to maintain the
material handling surface in an upward
facing position. Both the top and bottom
structure are troughed 35 degrees to
provide simultaneous transportation
capacity on the top and return portions
of the belt. The conveyor uses special
belt with steel cable carcass related at
1,900 pounds per inch of belt width
(PIW). Traveling 680 feet per minute
(FPM), the belt system has a carrying
capacity of 1,000 tons per hour (TPH) on
each belt (top and bottom totaling 2,000
TPH).
(4) The Tunnel Mine currently only
transports a fraction of its design
capacity. Currently, the Tunnel Mine
transports only raw coal from two
continuous miner sections in the Black
Oak Mine with an estimated daily
volume of 4,000 raw tons to Rocklick.
The return belt capacity is not utilized
at the mine.
—The portal at the Preparation Plant
side of the Tunnel Mine is known as
the Rocklick Portal. The portal at the
other end is known as the Harris
Portal. The Tunnel Mine is ventilated
from the Rocklick Portal with a 5.5
foot blowing fan with a 1,200 rpm
speed, set to Blade Setting No. 5,
producing 95,000 cfm of airflow.
—At the Rocklick Portal, fresh air enters
in the No. 1 entry and travels to the
No. 11 crosscut and splits. A small
portion of the air goes to entry Nos.
2 and 3 from crosscut No. 11 back to
the Rocklick Portal. The remaining air
flows to the Harris Portal from
crosscuts 11 to 75 in all three entries.
The air in the Tunnel Mine is
considered neutral.
—The existing belt, which is believed to
have been installed between 2005 and
2007, is in excellent condition with
little wear. There are no belt drives,
tails, or dumping points on the
underground portion of the belt flight.
The belt runs one shift per day,
approximately 8 to 9 hours. At the
Harris Portal, an additional 1,250 feet
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37683
of conveyor takes the belt to the Black
Oak Mine surface loading point. At
the Rocklick Portal, about 500 feet of
conveyor belt takes the coal to the raw
coal pile.
—The Tunnel Mine has numerous
safety features at or above the
minimum standards, including:
(a) Mandoors every 300 feet on each
stopping line.
(b) Carbon monoxide monitors every
1,000 feet.
(c) The conveyor has belt alignment
rollers every 1,000 feet.
(d) Fire taps located every 300 feet.
Hoses are located at breaks 1, 37, and
74, which exceeds the minimum
requirements.
(e) The operator x-rays the belt
annually to ensure the integrity of the
existing belt.
(f) Two-way communications (pager
phones) are located underground at
every seventh break throughout the
mine. The control room operator at
Rocklick monitors the communication
system. Two-way wireless radios worn
by the surface employees can
communicate with the examiner
underground.
(g) The roadways are graveled.
(h) Emergency belt stop switches
every seventh break.
(i) No violations have been issued on
the belt since May 19, 1998.
—Certified examiners travel the belt
entry on a two-man ride to examine
the belt once per shift and record
those findings in the required mine
books.
—Normally, the Tunnel Mine operates
with only one miner underground
while the belt is running. The
examiners of the Tunnel Mine are a
certified foreman and electricians.
Examinations take about 1 hour per
shift. When necessary, a certified
miner helps with maintenance and
other tasks in the mine.
—There are no belt drives, tailpieces, or
electric motors inside the Tunnel
Mine. The belt only runs through the
mine on conveyor structure and
rollers.
—The belt is approximately 1 inch
thick, 42 inches wide and has steel
cable imbedded in the belt. The belt
at each end is turned over so that the
coal side is always facing up on
transport and return. The design
greatly reduces any spillage and
accumulations in the mine.
—Self-Contained Self-Rescuer caches
are stored at breaks 14, 28, 37, 42, 56,
and 70. There ae also emergency
barricade materials kept in the No. 3
entry.
—The Tunnel Mine also has emergency
lifelines throughout. Further, the
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37684
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 148 / Thursday, August 1, 2019 / Notices
following significant fire detection
and fire-fighting devices are in the
mine:
(1) The beltline has 13 smoke
detection and carbon monoxide (CO)
sensors approximately every 5 to 6
breaks. The CO sensors are currently set
to ‘‘low alarm’’ at 5 parts per millions
(ppm) and ‘‘high alarm’’ at 10 ppm, far
below levels that present any danger to
miners. The CO monitoring system will
be programmed to shut off the belt at
‘‘high alarm’’ and;
(2) The two-man ride used to examine
the belt has self-rescuers and separate
fire extinguishers.
—The only alternative to using the
Tunnel Mine belt will be to truck
Black Oak Mine coal to Rocklick. This
will significantly increase the number
of trucks on Route 85 in Boone
County between Black Oak and
Rocklick Preparation Plant. The
increase in trucks going in and out of
the Rocklick Preparation Plant will
also add congestion to the load out
traffic flow.
—The operator has not experienced any
safety issues with the conveyor belt in
the Tunnel Mine nor has it received
any 30 CFR 75.400 citations for
accumulations of combustible
materials during current ownership.
The operator has not experienced any
fire related issues on the conveyor
belt at the Tunnel Mine nor has it
experienced any significant issues
with rollers on the belt in the Tunnel
Mine beyond routine maintenance.
—Based on a chemical laboratory
analysis, the belt has been confirmed
to be Part 18 compliant. The belt has
not been tested for Part 14 compliance
due to the operator’s difficulty in
finding an appropriate testing facility.
The petitioner proposes the following
alternative method of achieving the
purposes of the standard:
(a) Prior to a qualified person entering
the mine, the CO system data from the
prior 2 hours will be monitored for any
sign of combustion. At the end of coal
transport each day (fire run), the CO
system data from the prior 4 hours will
be monitored for any signs of
combustion (i.e., CO or smoke detection
by CO monitors on the belt).
(b) A daily functional (bump) test of
at least one sensor will be conducted for
CO in addition to the weekly functional
test required under 30 CFR 75.1103–8.
A different sensor will be bump tested
each day.
(c) The operator will train miners on
the location of Part 18 belt and interim
safety measures being taken herein and
revise instruction under 30 CFR 75.1502
as appropriate.
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Jkt 247001
(d) An immediate functional test of
the fire suppression system along with
additional tests will be conducted
weekly. A daily visual inspection of the
entire fire suppression system will be
conducted by a qualified person.
(e) The operator will install a
‘‘waterwall system’’ every 900 feet that
will be tapped into the CO monitoring
system. The waterwall will activate at
50 ppm of CO. The waterwall will
provide a minimum of 50 psi and 45
GPM of water curtain from roof to floor
and rib to rib.
(f) Except during the on-shift exam,
the belt will be cleared of coal and will
run empty during examinations.
Examinations generally take less than
one hour. Currently, the belt runs
approximately 8–9 hours a day.
(g) Other than replacing water pumps,
no motors, electrical equipment, or belt
drives will be added underground and
no changes will be made to the belt
configuration or layout while this
petition is in effect.
(h) Examiners will enter the mine
from the Harris Portal at the downwind
side so the examiner is traveling
towards the fan. From entries 75 to 11,
the examiner will be traveling into fresh
air. From crosscut No. 11 to the
Rocklick Portal, fresh air will come from
behind the examiner for those 11 breaks.
(i) Examiners will be trained to
immediately notify the dispatcher in the
event of CO detection. Radio contact is
established throughout the Tunnel Mine
beltline. Should a fire be encountered
and not extinguished according to the
Mine Act, the examiner will withdraw
from the Tunnel Mine and notify MSHA
as required under applicable law.
(j) If the CO detection system is down,
the belt will not operate until necessary
repairs have been made.
(k) All necessary replacement belt
will be Part 14 compliant. As the belt is
repaired and sections replaced, Part 14
belt will be used.
(l) The belt will not be in operation
while most maintenance is conducted
on the beltline.
(m) The operator will continue annual
x-ray 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.
Sheila McConnell,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations,
and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2019–16390 Filed 7–31–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520–43–P
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meetings
AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETINGS:
Mississippi River Commission.
TIME AND DATE: 9:00 a.m., August 19,
2019.
PLACE: On board MISSISSIPPI V at
Caruthersville City Front,
Caruthersville, Missouri.
STATUS: Open to the public.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: (1)
Summary report by President of the
Commission on national and regional
issues affecting the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and Commission programs
and projects on the Mississippi River
and its tributaries; (2) District
Commander’s overview of current
project issues within the St. Louis and
Memphis Districts; and (3) Presentations
by local organizations and members of
the public giving views or comments on
any issue affecting the programs or
projects of the Commission and the
Corps of Engineers.
TIME AND DATE:
9:00 a.m., August 20,
2019.
On board MISSISSIPPI V at
Helena Harbor Boat Ramp, Helena,
Arkansas.
STATUS: Open to the public.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: (1)
Summary report by President of the
Commission on national and regional
issues affecting the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and Commission programs
and projects on the Mississippi River
and its tributaries; (2) District
Commander’s overview of current
project issues within the Memphis
District; and (3) Presentations by local
organizations and members of the
public giving views or comments on any
issue affecting the programs or projects
of the Commission and the Corps of
Engineers.
PLACE:
TIME AND DATE:
9:00 a.m., August 21,
2019.
On board MISSISSIPPI V at
Vicksburg City Front, Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
STATUS: Open to the public.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: (1)
Summary report by President of the
Commission on national and regional
issues affecting the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and Commission programs
and projects on the Mississippi River
and its tributaries; (2) District
Commander’s overview of current
project issues within the Vicksburg
District; and (3) Presentations by local
organizations and members of the
public giving views or comments on any
PLACE:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37682-37684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16390]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory
Safety Standard
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice is a summary of petition for modification
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the
parties listed below.
DATES: All comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before September 3,
2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
1. Email: [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 a copy of the petition 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: Sheila McConnell, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9447 (voice),
[[Page 37683]]
[email protected] (email), or 202-693-9440 (fax). [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 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-2019-020-C.
Petitioner: Rockwell Mining, LLC, 300 Kanawha Boulevard, East (ZIP
25301), P.O. Box 273, Charleston, West Virginia 25321-0273.
Mine: Matewan Tunnel Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-08610, located in Boone
County, West Virginia.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1108(c) (Approved conveyor belts).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the
Part 14 belt standard because the unique layout of the mine as well as
additional safety measures that will be put in place will make the
conveyor belt in the Tunnel Mine at least as safe as compliance with
Part 14.
The petitioner states that:
(1) The Tunnel Mine is a straight, three-entry tunnel mine
developed in 1998. The mine has been non-producing since 1998. At the
time of development, the sole purpose of the project was to provide an
excavation to install a conveyor system to transport raw coal. The seam
is 33 inches thick, requiring 48 inches of outseam excavation to
facilitate the conveyor system. The Tunnel Mine does not liberate any
methane.
(2) The Tunnel Mine consists of three entries developed on a
straight course 10,500 feet from outcrop to outcrop. The roof in the
belt entry (center entry) is supported by 6-foot fully grouted bolts
with T5 steel channels in every row. Steel straps and four-foot
conventional bolts support the ribs. The final conveyor structure is
offset in the entry to provide complete access along its entire length.
Thus, the ventilation system will not likely be compromised by roof or
rib integrity measures.
(3) The 42-inch conveyor is 12,445 feet long and is powered by two
separate drive installations located on the surface at each end of the
underground excavation (500 HP at Rocklick and 1,000 HP at Harris). The
conveyor is uniquely designed to turn over on each end to maintain the
material handling surface in an upward facing position. Both the top
and bottom structure are troughed 35 degrees to provide simultaneous
transportation capacity on the top and return portions of the belt. The
conveyor uses special belt with steel cable carcass related at 1,900
pounds per inch of belt width (PIW). Traveling 680 feet per minute
(FPM), the belt system has a carrying capacity of 1,000 tons per hour
(TPH) on each belt (top and bottom totaling 2,000 TPH).
(4) The Tunnel Mine currently only transports a fraction of its
design capacity. Currently, the Tunnel Mine transports only raw coal
from two continuous miner sections in the Black Oak Mine with an
estimated daily volume of 4,000 raw tons to Rocklick. The return belt
capacity is not utilized at the mine.
--The portal at the Preparation Plant side of the Tunnel Mine is known
as the Rocklick Portal. The portal at the other end is known as the
Harris Portal. The Tunnel Mine is ventilated from the Rocklick Portal
with a 5.5 foot blowing fan with a 1,200 rpm speed, set to Blade
Setting No. 5, producing 95,000 cfm of airflow.
--At the Rocklick Portal, fresh air enters in the No. 1 entry and
travels to the No. 11 crosscut and splits. A small portion of the air
goes to entry Nos. 2 and 3 from crosscut No. 11 back to the Rocklick
Portal. The remaining air flows to the Harris Portal from crosscuts 11
to 75 in all three entries. The air in the Tunnel Mine is considered
neutral.
--The existing belt, which is believed to have been installed between
2005 and 2007, is in excellent condition with little wear. There are no
belt drives, tails, or dumping points on the underground portion of the
belt flight. The belt runs one shift per day, approximately 8 to 9
hours. At the Harris Portal, an additional 1,250 feet of conveyor takes
the belt to the Black Oak Mine surface loading point. At the Rocklick
Portal, about 500 feet of conveyor belt takes the coal to the raw coal
pile.
--The Tunnel Mine has numerous safety features at or above the minimum
standards, including:
(a) Mandoors every 300 feet on each stopping line.
(b) Carbon monoxide monitors every 1,000 feet.
(c) The conveyor has belt alignment rollers every 1,000 feet.
(d) Fire taps located every 300 feet. Hoses are located at breaks
1, 37, and 74, which exceeds the minimum requirements.
(e) The operator x-rays the belt annually to ensure the integrity
of the existing belt.
(f) Two-way communications (pager phones) are located underground
at every seventh break throughout the mine. The control room operator
at Rocklick monitors the communication system. Two-way wireless radios
worn by the surface employees can communicate with the examiner
underground.
(g) The roadways are graveled.
(h) Emergency belt stop switches every seventh break.
(i) No violations have been issued on the belt since May 19, 1998.
--Certified examiners travel the belt entry on a two-man ride to
examine the belt once per shift and record those findings in the
required mine books.
--Normally, the Tunnel Mine operates with only one miner underground
while the belt is running. The examiners of the Tunnel Mine are a
certified foreman and electricians. Examinations take about 1 hour per
shift. When necessary, a certified miner helps with maintenance and
other tasks in the mine.
--There are no belt drives, tailpieces, or electric motors inside the
Tunnel Mine. The belt only runs through the mine on conveyor structure
and rollers.
--The belt is approximately 1 inch thick, 42 inches wide and has steel
cable imbedded in the belt. The belt at each end is turned over so that
the coal side is always facing up on transport and return. The design
greatly reduces any spillage and accumulations in the mine.
--Self-Contained Self-Rescuer caches are stored at breaks 14, 28, 37,
42, 56, and 70. There ae also emergency barricade materials kept in the
No. 3 entry.
--The Tunnel Mine also has emergency lifelines throughout. Further, the
[[Page 37684]]
following significant fire detection and fire-fighting devices are in
the mine:
(1) The beltline has 13 smoke detection and carbon monoxide (CO)
sensors approximately every 5 to 6 breaks. The CO sensors are currently
set to ``low alarm'' at 5 parts per millions (ppm) and ``high alarm''
at 10 ppm, far below levels that present any danger to miners. The CO
monitoring system will be programmed to shut off the belt at ``high
alarm'' and;
(2) The two-man ride used to examine the belt has self-rescuers and
separate fire extinguishers.
--The only alternative to using the Tunnel Mine belt will be to truck
Black Oak Mine coal to Rocklick. This will significantly increase the
number of trucks on Route 85 in Boone County between Black Oak and
Rocklick Preparation Plant. The increase in trucks going in and out of
the Rocklick Preparation Plant will also add congestion to the load out
traffic flow.
--The operator has not experienced any safety issues with the conveyor
belt in the Tunnel Mine nor has it received any 30 CFR 75.400 citations
for accumulations of combustible materials during current ownership.
The operator has not experienced any fire related issues on the
conveyor belt at the Tunnel Mine nor has it experienced any significant
issues with rollers on the belt in the Tunnel Mine beyond routine
maintenance.
--Based on a chemical laboratory analysis, the belt has been confirmed
to be Part 18 compliant. The belt has not been tested for Part 14
compliance due to the operator's difficulty in finding an appropriate
testing facility.
The petitioner proposes the following alternative method of
achieving the purposes of the standard:
(a) Prior to a qualified person entering the mine, the CO system
data from the prior 2 hours will be monitored for any sign of
combustion. At the end of coal transport each day (fire run), the CO
system data from the prior 4 hours will be monitored for any signs of
combustion (i.e., CO or smoke detection by CO monitors on the belt).
(b) A daily functional (bump) test of at least one sensor will be
conducted for CO in addition to the weekly functional test required
under 30 CFR 75.1103-8. A different sensor will be bump tested each
day.
(c) The operator will train miners on the location of Part 18 belt
and interim safety measures being taken herein and revise instruction
under 30 CFR 75.1502 as appropriate.
(d) An immediate functional test of the fire suppression system
along with additional tests will be conducted weekly. A daily visual
inspection of the entire fire suppression system will be conducted by a
qualified person.
(e) The operator will install a ``waterwall system'' every 900 feet
that will be tapped into the CO monitoring system. The waterwall will
activate at 50 ppm of CO. The waterwall will provide a minimum of 50
psi and 45 GPM of water curtain from roof to floor and rib to rib.
(f) Except during the on-shift exam, the belt will be cleared of
coal and will run empty during examinations. Examinations generally
take less than one hour. Currently, the belt runs approximately 8-9
hours a day.
(g) Other than replacing water pumps, no motors, electrical
equipment, or belt drives will be added underground and no changes will
be made to the belt configuration or layout while this petition is in
effect.
(h) Examiners will enter the mine from the Harris Portal at the
downwind side so the examiner is traveling towards the fan. From
entries 75 to 11, the examiner will be traveling into fresh air. From
crosscut No. 11 to the Rocklick Portal, fresh air will come from behind
the examiner for those 11 breaks.
(i) Examiners will be trained to immediately notify the dispatcher
in the event of CO detection. Radio contact is established throughout
the Tunnel Mine beltline. Should a fire be encountered and not
extinguished according to the Mine Act, the examiner will withdraw from
the Tunnel Mine and notify MSHA as required under applicable law.
(j) If the CO detection system is down, the belt will not operate
until necessary repairs have been made.
(k) All necessary replacement belt will be Part 14 compliant. As
the belt is repaired and sections replaced, Part 14 belt will be used.
(l) The belt will not be in operation while most maintenance is
conducted on the beltline.
(m) The operator will continue annual x-ray 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.
Sheila McConnell,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2019-16390 Filed 7-31-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
