Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 10103-10104 [2024-02931]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Notices
the functions of the Department,
including whether the information will
have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of
the agency’s estimates of the burden and
cost of the collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information collection; and
(4) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))
I. Background
Nicole Bouchet,
Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
AGENCY:
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. The application of such standard to
such mine will result in a diminution of
safety to the miners in such mine.
In addition, sections 44.10 and 44.11
of 30 CFR establish the requirements for
filing petitions for modification.
BLS
awards funds to State Agencies in order
to assist them in operating Labor Market
Information and/or Occupational Safety
and Health Statistics Federal/State
cooperative statistical programs. To
ensure a timely flow of information and
to be able to evaluate and improve the
programs, it is necessary to conduct
ongoing communications between BLS
and the State partners dealing with, for
example, deliverables, program
enhancements, and administrative
issues. For additional substantive
information about this ICR, see the
related notice published in the Federal
Register on December 4, 2023 (88 FRN
84172).
This information collection is subject
to the PRA. A Federal agency generally
cannot conduct or sponsor a collection
of information, and the public is
generally not required to respond to an
information collection, unless the OMB
approves it and displays a currently
valid OMB Control Number. In addition,
notwithstanding any other provisions of
law, no person shall generally be subject
to penalty for failing to comply with a
collection of information that does not
display a valid OMB Control Number.
See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
Agency: DOL–BLS.
Title of Collection: General Inquiries
to State Agency Contacts.
OMB Control Number: 1220–0168.
Affected Public: State, Local, and
Tribal Governments.
Total Estimated Number of
Respondents: 54.
Total Estimated Number of
Responses: 23,890.
Total Estimated Annual Time Burden:
15,927 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Other Costs
Burden: $0.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:57 Feb 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
[FR Doc. 2024–02891 Filed 2–12–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petition for Modification of Application
of Existing Mandatory Safety
Standards
Mine Safety and Health
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
Nicole Bouchet by telephone at 202–
693–0213, or by email at DOL_PRA_
PUBLIC@dol.gov.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
10103
This notice is a summary of
a petition for modification submitted to
the Mine Safety and Health
Administration (MSHA) by the party
listed below.
DATES: All comments on the petition
must be received by MSHA’s Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances
on or before March 14, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by Docket No. MSHA–2023–
0056 by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments
for MSHA–2023–0056.
2. Fax: 202–693–9441.
3. Email: petitioncomments@dol.gov.
4. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery:
MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th
Street South, 4th Floor West, Arlington,
Virginia 22202–5452, Attention: S.
Aromie Noe, Director, Office of
Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
Persons delivering documents are
required to check in at the receptionist’s
desk in 4th Floor West. Individuals may
inspect copies of the petition and
comments during normal business
hours at the address listed above. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202–693–
9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor’s
COVID–19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S.
Aromie Noe, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202–693–
9440 (voice), Petitionsformodification@
dol.gov (email), or 202–693–9441 (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 (CFR) part
44 govern the application, processing,
and disposition of petitions for
modification.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
II. Petition for Modification
Docket Number: M–2023–027–C.
Petitioner: Mountain Coal Company,
LLC, 5174 Highway 133, Somerset,
Colorado 81434.
Mine: West Elk Mine, MSHA ID No.
05–03672, located in Gunnison County,
Colorado.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR
18.35(a)(5)(i) (Portable (trailing) cables
and cords).
Modification Request: The petitioner
requests a modification of 30 CFR
18.35(a)(5)(i) to increase the length of
tailing cables to a maximum of 1,100
feet for mobile roof support machines
and shuttle cars.
The petitioner states that:
(a) The petitioner has a previously
granted petition for modification, docket
number M–2012–036–C, to use trailing
cables supplying three-phase, 995-volt
AC power to continuous machines, roof
bolting machines, and auxiliary face
fans and 575-volt AC power to roof
bolting machines and auxiliary face
fans.
(b) The petitioner is now requesting to
add four Fletcher Mobile Roof Support
machines, model MRS17, and Komatsu
10SC32 shuttle cars. The Fletcher
Mobile Roof Support machines and
Komatsu 10SC32 shuttle cars will be
used under the same terms and
conditions listed in the previously
granted petition.
The petitioner proposes the following
alternative method:
(a) The maximum trailing cable length
shall be 1,100 feet for the No. 4 trailing
cables for the mobile roof support
machines and the No. 2 trailing cables
for the shuttle cars.
(c) All circuit breakers used to protect
the No. 4 trailing cables exceeding 1,000
feet for the 995-volt mobile roof support
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
10104
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Notices
machines shall have instantaneous trip
units calibrated to trip at 2,500 amperes.
The trip setting of these circuit breakers
shall be sealed or locked so that the
setting cannot be changed. The circuit
breakers shall have permanent legible
labels displaying the maximum short
circuit setting. Calibration, sealing, and
labeling of circuit breakers shall be
performed by the circuit breaker
manufacturer, or an authorized repair
facility outfitted with calibrated test
equipment. Each label shall identify the
circuit breaker as being suitable for
protecting the No. 4 cables. The labels
shall be maintained as legible.
(c) Replacement instantaneous trip
units used to protect the No. 4 trailing
cables shall be calibrated to trip at 2,500
amperes and this setting shall be sealed
or locked. Calibration, sealing, and
labeling of the replacement units shall
be conducted by the device
manufacturer, or an authorized repair
facility outfitted with calibrated test
equipment.
(d) All circuit breakers used to protect
the No. 2 trailing cables exceeding 850
feet in length for the shuttle cars shall
have instantaneous trip units calibrated
to trip at 1,500 amperes. The trip setting
of these circuit breakers shall be sealed
or locked so that the setting cannot be
changed. The circuit breakers shall have
permanent legible labels displaying the
maximum short circuit setting.
Calibration, sealing, and labeling of
circuit breakers shall be performed by
the circuit breaker manufacturer, or an
authorized repair facility outfitted with
calibrated test equipment. Each label
shall identify the circuit breaker as
being suitable for protecting the No. 2
cables. The labels shall be maintained as
legible.
(e) Replacement instantaneous trip
units used to protect the No. 2 trailing
cables shall be calibrated to trip at 1,500
amperes and this setting shall be sealed
or locked. Calibration, sealing, and
labeling of the replacement units shall
be conducted by the device
manufacturer, or an authorized repair
facility outfitted with calibrated test
equipment.
(f) All components that provide shortcircuit protection shall have a sufficient
interruption rating in accordance with
the maximum calculated fault current
available.
(g) The trailing cables for the mobile
roof support machines and shuttle cars
shall be protected by being hung on
well-installed insulated hangers from
the section transformer to the slack pile
of the trailing cable for each machine or
to the last open crosscut, whichever is
further outby.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:57 Feb 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
(h) Prior to putting the mobile roof
support machines and shuttle cars in
service for each shift, examinations by
persons designated by the mine operator
shall be made to visually examine the
trailing cables to ensure that the cables
are in safe operating condition. The
instantaneous settings of the specially
calibrated circuit breakers shall also be
visually examined to ensure that the
seals or locks have not been removed
and that they do not exceed the settings
stipulated in items (b) and (d).
(i) Permanent warning labels shall be
installed and maintained on the cover(s)
of each circuit breaker and the trailing
cable disconnecting device indicating
that the cable can only be connected to
a circuit breaker that is set to trip at its
pre-determined instantaneous value.
These labels shall warn miners not to
change or alter these sealed short-circuit
settings and warn them not to connect
the trailing cable to an improperly
adjusted circuit breaker.
(j) Any trailing cable that is not in safe
operating condition or damaged in any
way shall be removed from service
immediately and repaired or replaced.
Each splice or repair in the trailing
cables shall be made in a workmanlike
manner and in accordance with the
instructions of the manufacturer of the
splice or repair materials. The splice or
repair shall comply with 30 CFR 75.602
and 30 CFR 75.604.
(k) Excessive cable shall be stored
behind the anchor(s) on equipment that
use cable reels to prevent cable(s) from
overheating. Trailing cables anchoring
points located along haulage roads, belt
tailpiece, or feeder shall be arranged to
prevent the shuttle cars from running
over their trailing cables to minimize
the need for secondary (temporary)
trailing cable anchoring points and
minimize back spooling.
(l) Before implementation of the terms
and conditions in MSHA’s Proposed
Decision and Order (PDO), all miners
who have been designated to examine
the integrity of seals or locks and to
verify the short-circuit settings and
proper procedures for examining
trailing cables for defects and damage
shall receive the training specified in
item (n).
(m) Before implementation of the
terms and conditions in the PDO, the
circuit breakers outlined above shall be
inspected by MSHA to ensure their
conformity with the terms and
conditions of the PDO.
(n) Within 60 days after the PDO
becomes final, the petitioner shall
submit proposed revisions for its
approved 30 CFR part 48 training plan
to the Mine Safety and Health
Enforcement District Office for the
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
District which the mine is located. The
training shall include the following
elements:
(1) Training in the mining methods
and operating procedures that will
protect the trailing cables against
damage;
(2) Training in proper procedures for
examining the trailing cables to ensure
that they are in safe operating condition;
(3) Training in the hazards of setting
the short circuit interrupting device(s)
too high to adequately protect the
trailing cables;
(4) Training in how to verify that the
circuit interrupting device(s) protecting
the trailing cable(s) are properly set and
maintained; and
(5) Training to protect the trailing
cable(s) against damage caused by
overheating due to excessive cable
stored on the cable reel(s) and properly
adjusting stored cable behind the cable
anchor(s) as tramming distances change.
In support of the proposed alternative
method, the petitioner submitted fault
analysis for 1,100 feet of the No. 4 and
No. 2 trailing cables to demonstrate that
there is enough current available to trip
the short circuit protection at the time
of a fault.
The petitioner asserts that the
alternate method proposed will at all
times guarantee no less than the same
measure of protection afforded the
miners under the mandatory standard.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations,
and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2024–02931 Filed 2–12–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520–43–P
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice: (24–008)]
Heliophysics Advisory Committee;
Space Weather Council; Meeting
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, the
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) announces a
meeting of the Space Weather Council
(SWC). The SWC is a subcommittee of
the Heliophysics Advisory Committee,
which functions in an advisory capacity
to the Director, Heliophysics Division,
in the NASA Science Mission
Directorate. The meeting will be held for
the purpose of soliciting, from the
science community and other persons,
scientific and technical information
relevant to program planning.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10103-10104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02931]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Petition 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 a petition for modification
submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the
party listed below.
DATES: All comments on the petition must be received by MSHA's Office
of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before March 14, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. MSHA-2023-
0056 by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments for MSHA-2023-0056.
2. Fax: 202-693-9441.
3. Email: [email protected].
4. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, 4th Floor West,
Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452, Attention: S. Aromie Noe, Director,
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances. Persons delivering
documents are required to check in at the receptionist's desk in 4th
Floor West. Individuals may inspect copies of the petition and comments
during normal business hours at the address listed above. Before
visiting MSHA in person, call 202-693-9455 to make an appointment, in
keeping with the Department of Labor's COVID-19 policy. Special health
precautions may be required.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: S. Aromie Noe, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9440 (voice),
[email protected] (email), or 202-693-9441 (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
(CFR) 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. The application of such standard to such mine will result in a
diminution of safety to the miners in such mine.
In addition, sections 44.10 and 44.11 of 30 CFR establish the
requirements for filing petitions for modification.
II. Petition for Modification
Docket Number: M-2023-027-C.
Petitioner: Mountain Coal Company, LLC, 5174 Highway 133, Somerset,
Colorado 81434.
Mine: West Elk Mine, MSHA ID No. 05-03672, located in Gunnison
County, Colorado.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 18.35(a)(5)(i) (Portable (trailing)
cables and cords).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of 30
CFR 18.35(a)(5)(i) to increase the length of tailing cables to a
maximum of 1,100 feet for mobile roof support machines and shuttle
cars.
The petitioner states that:
(a) The petitioner has a previously granted petition for
modification, docket number M-2012-036-C, to use trailing cables
supplying three-phase, 995-volt AC power to continuous machines, roof
bolting machines, and auxiliary face fans and 575-volt AC power to roof
bolting machines and auxiliary face fans.
(b) The petitioner is now requesting to add four Fletcher Mobile
Roof Support machines, model MRS17, and Komatsu 10SC32 shuttle cars.
The Fletcher Mobile Roof Support machines and Komatsu 10SC32 shuttle
cars will be used under the same terms and conditions listed in the
previously granted petition.
The petitioner proposes the following alternative method:
(a) The maximum trailing cable length shall be 1,100 feet for the
No. 4 trailing cables for the mobile roof support machines and the No.
2 trailing cables for the shuttle cars.
(c) All circuit breakers used to protect the No. 4 trailing cables
exceeding 1,000 feet for the 995-volt mobile roof support
[[Page 10104]]
machines shall have instantaneous trip units calibrated to trip at
2,500 amperes. The trip setting of these circuit breakers shall be
sealed or locked so that the setting cannot be changed. The circuit
breakers shall have permanent legible labels displaying the maximum
short circuit setting. Calibration, sealing, and labeling of circuit
breakers shall be performed by the circuit breaker manufacturer, or an
authorized repair facility outfitted with calibrated test equipment.
Each label shall identify the circuit breaker as being suitable for
protecting the No. 4 cables. The labels shall be maintained as legible.
(c) Replacement instantaneous trip units used to protect the No. 4
trailing cables shall be calibrated to trip at 2,500 amperes and this
setting shall be sealed or locked. Calibration, sealing, and labeling
of the replacement units shall be conducted by the device manufacturer,
or an authorized repair facility outfitted with calibrated test
equipment.
(d) All circuit breakers used to protect the No. 2 trailing cables
exceeding 850 feet in length for the shuttle cars shall have
instantaneous trip units calibrated to trip at 1,500 amperes. The trip
setting of these circuit breakers shall be sealed or locked so that the
setting cannot be changed. The circuit breakers shall have permanent
legible labels displaying the maximum short circuit setting.
Calibration, sealing, and labeling of circuit breakers shall be
performed by the circuit breaker manufacturer, or an authorized repair
facility outfitted with calibrated test equipment. Each label shall
identify the circuit breaker as being suitable for protecting the No. 2
cables. The labels shall be maintained as legible.
(e) Replacement instantaneous trip units used to protect the No. 2
trailing cables shall be calibrated to trip at 1,500 amperes and this
setting shall be sealed or locked. Calibration, sealing, and labeling
of the replacement units shall be conducted by the device manufacturer,
or an authorized repair facility outfitted with calibrated test
equipment.
(f) All components that provide short-circuit protection shall have
a sufficient interruption rating in accordance with the maximum
calculated fault current available.
(g) The trailing cables for the mobile roof support machines and
shuttle cars shall be protected by being hung on well-installed
insulated hangers from the section transformer to the slack pile of the
trailing cable for each machine or to the last open crosscut, whichever
is further outby.
(h) Prior to putting the mobile roof support machines and shuttle
cars in service for each shift, examinations by persons designated by
the mine operator shall be made to visually examine the trailing cables
to ensure that the cables are in safe operating condition. The
instantaneous settings of the specially calibrated circuit breakers
shall also be visually examined to ensure that the seals or locks have
not been removed and that they do not exceed the settings stipulated in
items (b) and (d).
(i) Permanent warning labels shall be installed and maintained on
the cover(s) of each circuit breaker and the trailing cable
disconnecting device indicating that the cable can only be connected to
a circuit breaker that is set to trip at its pre-determined
instantaneous value. These labels shall warn miners not to change or
alter these sealed short-circuit settings and warn them not to connect
the trailing cable to an improperly adjusted circuit breaker.
(j) Any trailing cable that is not in safe operating condition or
damaged in any way shall be removed from service immediately and
repaired or replaced. Each splice or repair in the trailing cables
shall be made in a workmanlike manner and in accordance with the
instructions of the manufacturer of the splice or repair materials. The
splice or repair shall comply with 30 CFR 75.602 and 30 CFR 75.604.
(k) Excessive cable shall be stored behind the anchor(s) on
equipment that use cable reels to prevent cable(s) from overheating.
Trailing cables anchoring points located along haulage roads, belt
tailpiece, or feeder shall be arranged to prevent the shuttle cars from
running over their trailing cables to minimize the need for secondary
(temporary) trailing cable anchoring points and minimize back spooling.
(l) Before implementation of the terms and conditions in MSHA's
Proposed Decision and Order (PDO), all miners who have been designated
to examine the integrity of seals or locks and to verify the short-
circuit settings and proper procedures for examining trailing cables
for defects and damage shall receive the training specified in item
(n).
(m) Before implementation of the terms and conditions in the PDO,
the circuit breakers outlined above shall be inspected by MSHA to
ensure their conformity with the terms and conditions of the PDO.
(n) Within 60 days after the PDO becomes final, the petitioner
shall submit proposed revisions for its approved 30 CFR part 48
training plan to the Mine Safety and Health Enforcement District Office
for the District which the mine is located. The training shall include
the following elements:
(1) Training in the mining methods and operating procedures that
will protect the trailing cables against damage;
(2) Training in proper procedures for examining the trailing cables
to ensure that they are in safe operating condition;
(3) Training in the hazards of setting the short circuit
interrupting device(s) too high to adequately protect the trailing
cables;
(4) Training in how to verify that the circuit interrupting
device(s) protecting the trailing cable(s) are properly set and
maintained; and
(5) Training to protect the trailing cable(s) against damage caused
by overheating due to excessive cable stored on the cable reel(s) and
properly adjusting stored cable behind the cable anchor(s) as tramming
distances change.
In support of the proposed alternative method, the petitioner
submitted fault analysis for 1,100 feet of the No. 4 and No. 2 trailing
cables to demonstrate that there is enough current available to trip
the short circuit protection at the time of a fault.
The petitioner asserts that the alternate method proposed will at
all times guarantee no less than the same measure of protection
afforded the miners under the mandatory standard.
Song-ae Aromie Noe,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2024-02931 Filed 2-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P