Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards, 20251-20253 [2024-05933]
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20251
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 56 / Thursday, March 21, 2024 / Notices
2. The Title of the Form/Collection:
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and the applicable component of the
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obligation to respond: Individuals and
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6. An estimate of the total annual
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TOTAL BURDEN HOURS
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Activity
Completing the form (individuals) .........................
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Dated: March 15, 2024.
Darwin Arceo,
Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S.
Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 2024–05956 Filed 3–20–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–30–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.
AGENCY:
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 April 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by Docket No. MSHA–2024–
0003 by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments
for MSHA–2024–0003.
2. Fax: 202–693–9441.
3. Email: petitioncomments@dol.gov.
4. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery:
MSHA, Office of Standards,
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SUMMARY:
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Frequency
1/annually .....................
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
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.
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.
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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–2024–001–C.
Petitioner: River View Coal, LLC, 835
St. Route 1179, Waverly, Kentucky
42462.
Mine: Henderson County Mine,
MSHA ID No. 15–02709, located in
Union County, Kentucky.
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 maximum
length of tailing cables to supply power
to permissible equipment used in
continuous mining sections.
The petitioner states that:
(a) The mine will be developing three
in-seam slopes, approximately 1000 feet
in length each. When completed, the 9degree slopes will be utilized to connect
two vertically separated coal seams.
(b) The mine will routinely mine
around oil wells which require leaving
large barrier pillars to protect the wells
and the underground miners.
(c) Accomplishing these mining
scenarios safely and efficiently
necessitates extended cable lengths,
without the need to provide permissible
junction boxes that would otherwise be
installed and maintained in the direct
paths of haulage equipment.
The petitioner proposes the following
alternative method:
(a) The proposed decision and order
(PDO) granted by MSHA shall apply
only to trailing cables supplying threephase 995-volts alternating current
(VAC) power to continuous mining
machines, supplying three-phase 480–
VAC power to roof bolting machines,
and supplying power to 550-volts direct
current (VDC) shuttle cars.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 56 / Thursday, March 21, 2024 / Notices
(b) During construction of the innerseam slope between the 11 and 9 seams,
the maximum length of trailing cables
shall be 1,200 feet. At all other times,
the maximum length of trailing cables
shall be 850 feet.
(c) Cables supplying power to:
(1) 995–VAC continuous mining
machines shall not be smaller than 2⁄0.
(2) 480–VAC roof bolting machines
shall not be smaller than #2 AWG.
(3) 550–VDC shuttle cars shall not be
smaller than #2⁄0 AWG.
(d) Circuit Breakers used to protect 2⁄0
trailing cables from 850 feet to 950 feet
in length supplying power to 995–VAC
continuous mining machines shall have
instantaneous trip units calibrated to
trip at 1,500 amps. A password
protected Schweitzer Engineering
Laboratories (SEL) relay shall control
the trip setting of these vacuum circuit
breakers to ensure that the settings
cannot be changed. These vacuum
circuit breakers shall have a permanent
legible label identifying the circuit
breaker as being suitable for protecting
2⁄0 cables supplying power to the
specified machines.
(e) Circuit breakers used to protect 2⁄0
trailing cables over 950 feet to 1,200 feet
in length supplying power to 995–VAC
continuous mining machines shall have
instantaneous trip units calibrated to
trip at 1,400 amps. A password
protected SEL relay shall control the
trip setting of these vacuum circuit
breakers to ensure that the settings
cannot be changed. These vacuum
circuit breakers shall have a permanent
legible label identifying the circuit
breaker as being suitable for protecting
2⁄0 cables supplying power to the
specified machines.
(f) Circuit breakers used to protect #2
AWG cables from 700 feet to 900 feet in
length supplying power to 480–VAC
roof bolting machines shall have
instantaneous trip units calibrated to
trip at 800 amps. The trip setting of
these circuit breakers shall be sealed to
ensure that the settings cannot be
changed. These circuit breakers shall
have permanent legible labels
identifying the circuit breaker as being
suitable for protecting #2 AWG cables
supplying power to the specified
machines.
(g) Circuit breakers used to protect #2
AWG cables over 900 feet to 1,200 feet
in length supplying power to 480–VAC
roof bolting machines shall have
instantaneous trip units calibrated to
trip at 700 amps. The trip setting of
these circuit breakers shall be sealed to
ensure that the settings cannot be
changed. These circuit breakers shall
have permanent legible labels
identifying the circuit breaker as being
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suitable for protecting #2 AWG cables
supplying power to the specified
machines.
(h) Circuit breakers used to protect
#2⁄0 AWG cables from 850 feet to 1,200
feet in length supplying power to 550–
VDC shuttle cars shall have an
instantaneous trip units calibrated to
trip at 700 amps. The trip setting of
these circuit breakers shall be sealed to
ensure that the settings cannot be
changed. These circuit breakers shall
have permanent legible labels
identifying the circuit breaker as being
suitable for protecting #2⁄0 AWG cables
supplying power to the specified
machines. As specified in 30 CFR
75.703–3(d)(5), grounding diodes must
have a nominal current rating of no less
than 250 amps.
(i) Replacement circuit breakers and
instantaneous trip units used to protect
trailing cables shall be calibrated,
sealed, and labeled as specified in the
PDO granted by MSHA.
(j) All components that provide shortcircuit protection shall have a sufficient
interruption rating in accordance with
the maximum calculated fault currents
available. All circuit breakers used to
protect trailing cables exceeding the
maximum length specified in 30 CFR
18.35(a)(5)(i) shall have instantaneous
trip units properly calibrated and
adjusted to trip at no more than the
smallest of the following values:
(1) The setting specified in 30 CFR
75.601–1;
(2) The setting specified in the
approval documentation for the
machine; or
(3) 70 percent of the minimum phase
to phase short circuit current available
at the end of the trailing cable.
(k) The short circuit analysis shall be
updated whenever changes are made to
the mine power system that affect the
fault current available at the end of the
affected trailing cables and the specified
settings used to protect these trailing
cables. An updated short circuit
analysis which accurately determines
the minimum phase to phase short
circuit current available at the end of
the affected trailing cables shall be made
available to MSHA personnel upon
request.
(l) During each production shift,
persons designated by the mine operator
shall visually examine the trailing
cables to ensure that they are in safe
operating condition. The instantaneous
settings of the specifically 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 specified
in the PDO granted by MSHA.
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(m) Any trailing cable that is not in
safe operating condition shall be
removed from service immediately and
repaired or replaced.
(n) Each splice or repair in the trailing
cables shall be made in a workman-like
manner and in accordance with the
instructions of the manufacturer of the
splice repair materials. The outer jacket
of each splice or repair shall be
vulcanized with flame resistant material
or made with material that has been
accepted by MSHA as flame resistant.
Splices shall comply with the
requirements of 30 CFR 75.603 and
75.604.
(o) Permanent warning labels shall be
installed and maintained on the cover(s)
of the power center or distribution box
identifying the location of each sealed
or locked short-circuit protective device.
These labels shall warn miners not to
change or alter these sealed short-circuit
settings, and any sign of tampering with
the specially calibrated circuit breaker
or trip unit will require the replacement
of the circuit breaker with another
calibrated, sealed and/or locked trip
unit. All cable couplers for these cables
shall be constructed or designed, for
example keyed or sized, to permit only
the proper type and length of cable to
be plugged into the receptacle with the
proper settings.
(p) If the mining methods or operating
procedures cause or contribute to the
damage of any trailing cable, the cable
shall be removed from service
immediately and repaired or replaced.
Additional precautions shall be taken to
ensure that haulage roads and trailing
cable storage areas are situated to
minimize contact of the trailing cable
with continuous mining machines, roof
bolting machines, and shuttle cars.
Trailing cable anchors on cable reel
equipment shall be of the permanent
type that minimizes the tensile forces on
the trailing cables.
(q) Where the method of mining
requires that trailing cables cross
roadways or haulage ways, the cables
shall be securely supported from the
mine roof, or a substantial bridge for
equipment to pass over the cables shall
be provided and used.
(r) Excessive cable shall be stored
behind the anchor on equipment that
uses cable reels to prevent cables from
overheating.
(s) The PDO granted by MSHA
alternate method shall not be
implemented until miners who have
been designated to examine the integrity
of seals or locks, verify the short circuit
settings, and examine trailing cables for
defects and damage, have received the
training as detailed in section (y).
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 56 / Thursday, March 21, 2024 / Notices
(t) Within 60 days after the PDO
granted by MSHA 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) Mining methods and operating
procedures that will protect the trailing
cables against damage;
(2) Proper procedures for examining
the trailing cables to ensure that they are
in safe operating condition;
(3) Hazards of setting the
instantaneous circuit breakers too high
to adequately protect the trailing cables;
(4) How to verify that the circuit
interrupting device(s) protecting the
trailing cable(s) is properly set and
maintained; and
(5) How to protect trailing cables
against damage caused by overheating
when excessive cable is stored on the
cable reel and the importance of
adjusting stored cable behind the cable
anchor as tramming distances change.
In support of the proposed alternative
method, the petitioner submitted short
circuit analyses for 950 feet and 1,200
feet lengths of cable for 995–VAC, 900
feet and 1,200 feet lengths of cable for
480–VAC, and 850 feet and 1,200 feet
lengths of cable for 550–VDC to
demonstrate that there is enough current
available to trip the short circuit
protection at the time of a fault. Pictures
of the ground fault detection diode
assembly and detailed technical
information of the rectifier diode were
also provided.
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. 2024–05933 Filed 3–20–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520–43–P
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS
ADMINISTRATION
[NARA–2024–024]
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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Advisory Committee Meetings
Office of Government
Information Services (OGIS), National
Archives and Records Administration
(NARA).
ACTION: Notice of Federal advisory
committee meetings.
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:53 Mar 20, 2024
Jkt 262001
We are announcing three
upcoming Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) Advisory Committee meetings in
accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act and the second United
States Open Government National
Action Plan.
DATES: The meetings will be on April 4,
2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. eastern
time (ET); May 9, 2024, from 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. ET; and June 13, 2024, from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. You must register by
11:59 p.m. ET April 2, 2024; 11:59 p.m.
ET May 7, 2024; and 11:59 p.m. ET June
11, 2024, to attend the April, May and
June meetings, respectively. (See
registration information below.)
ADDRESSES: These meetings will be
virtual. We will send access instructions
to those who register according to the
instructions below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kirsten Mitchell, Designated Federal
Officer for this committee, by email at
foia-advisory-committee@nara.gov, or
by telephone at 202.741.5775.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Agendas and meeting materials: We
will post all meeting materials,
including the agenda, at https://
www.archives.gov/ogis/foia-advisorycommittee/2022-2024-term. These will
be the ninth, tenth and eleventh
meetings of the 2022–2024 committee
term. The purpose of the April 4 and
May 9 meetings will be to consider and
vote on draft recommendations from the
three Subcommittees: Resources,
Implementation, and Modernization.
The purpose of the June 13, 2024,
meeting, the final of the 2022–2024
committee term, will be to consider the
FOIA Advisory Committee’s final draft
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Procedures: These virtual meetings
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with the Federal Advisory Committee
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must register in advance (see deadlines
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Eventbrite at:
(1) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
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2024, meeting;
(2) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
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2024, meeting; and
(3) https://freedom-of-informationact-foia-advisory-committee-mtg-june13.eventbrite.com for the June 13, 2024,
meeting.
SUMMARY:
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20253
Public comments will be limited to
three minutes per individual and must
relate to the recommendations the
Committee is considering. You must
provide an email address so that we can
provide you with information to access
the meeting online. Public comments
will be limited to three minutes per
individual. We will also live-stream the
meetings on the National Archives
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accommodations (e.g., a transcript),
email foia-advisory-committee@
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of the media who wish to register, those
who are unable to register online, and
those who require special
accommodations, should contact
Kirsten Mitchell (contact information
listed above).
Merrily Harris,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–05975 Filed 3–20–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515–01–P
NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE
ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES
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Notice of Proposed Information
Collection Requests: 2025–2027
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History and Culture Notice of Funding
Opportunity
Institute of Museum and
Library Services, National Foundation
on the Arts and the Humanities.
ACTION: Notice, request for comments,
collection of information.
AGENCY:
The Institute of Museum and
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(time and financial resources) is
minimized, collection instruments are
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20251-20253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05933]
=======================================================================
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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 April 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. MSHA-2024-
0003 by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments for MSHA-2024-0003.
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 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-2024-001-C.
Petitioner: River View Coal, LLC, 835 St. Route 1179, Waverly,
Kentucky 42462.
Mine: Henderson County Mine, MSHA ID No. 15-02709, located in Union
County, Kentucky.
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 maximum length of tailing cables to
supply power to permissible equipment used in continuous mining
sections.
The petitioner states that:
(a) The mine will be developing three in-seam slopes, approximately
1000 feet in length each. When completed, the 9-degree slopes will be
utilized to connect two vertically separated coal seams.
(b) The mine will routinely mine around oil wells which require
leaving large barrier pillars to protect the wells and the underground
miners.
(c) Accomplishing these mining scenarios safely and efficiently
necessitates extended cable lengths, without the need to provide
permissible junction boxes that would otherwise be installed and
maintained in the direct paths of haulage equipment.
The petitioner proposes the following alternative method:
(a) The proposed decision and order (PDO) granted by MSHA shall
apply only to trailing cables supplying three-phase 995-volts
alternating current (VAC) power to continuous mining machines,
supplying three-phase 480-VAC power to roof bolting machines, and
supplying power to 550-volts direct current (VDC) shuttle cars.
[[Page 20252]]
(b) During construction of the inner-seam slope between the 11 and
9 seams, the maximum length of trailing cables shall be 1,200 feet. At
all other times, the maximum length of trailing cables shall be 850
feet.
(c) Cables supplying power to:
(1) 995-VAC continuous mining machines shall not be smaller than
\2/0\.
(2) 480-VAC roof bolting machines shall not be smaller than #2 AWG.
(3) 550-VDC shuttle cars shall not be smaller than #\2/0\ AWG.
(d) Circuit Breakers used to protect \2/0\ trailing cables from 850
feet to 950 feet in length supplying power to 995-VAC continuous mining
machines shall have instantaneous trip units calibrated to trip at
1,500 amps. A password protected Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
(SEL) relay shall control the trip setting of these vacuum circuit
breakers to ensure that the settings cannot be changed. These vacuum
circuit breakers shall have a permanent legible label identifying the
circuit breaker as being suitable for protecting \2/0\ cables supplying
power to the specified machines.
(e) Circuit breakers used to protect \2/0\ trailing cables over 950
feet to 1,200 feet in length supplying power to 995-VAC continuous
mining machines shall have instantaneous trip units calibrated to trip
at 1,400 amps. A password protected SEL relay shall control the trip
setting of these vacuum circuit breakers to ensure that the settings
cannot be changed. These vacuum circuit breakers shall have a permanent
legible label identifying the circuit breaker as being suitable for
protecting \2/0\ cables supplying power to the specified machines.
(f) Circuit breakers used to protect #2 AWG cables from 700 feet to
900 feet in length supplying power to 480-VAC roof bolting machines
shall have instantaneous trip units calibrated to trip at 800 amps. The
trip setting of these circuit breakers shall be sealed to ensure that
the settings cannot be changed. These circuit breakers shall have
permanent legible labels identifying the circuit breaker as being
suitable for protecting #2 AWG cables supplying power to the specified
machines.
(g) Circuit breakers used to protect #2 AWG cables over 900 feet to
1,200 feet in length supplying power to 480-VAC roof bolting machines
shall have instantaneous trip units calibrated to trip at 700 amps. The
trip setting of these circuit breakers shall be sealed to ensure that
the settings cannot be changed. These circuit breakers shall have
permanent legible labels identifying the circuit breaker as being
suitable for protecting #2 AWG cables supplying power to the specified
machines.
(h) Circuit breakers used to protect #\2/0\ AWG cables from 850
feet to 1,200 feet in length supplying power to 550-VDC shuttle cars
shall have an instantaneous trip units calibrated to trip at 700 amps.
The trip setting of these circuit breakers shall be sealed to ensure
that the settings cannot be changed. These circuit breakers shall have
permanent legible labels identifying the circuit breaker as being
suitable for protecting #\2/0\ AWG cables supplying power to the
specified machines. As specified in 30 CFR 75.703-3(d)(5), grounding
diodes must have a nominal current rating of no less than 250 amps.
(i) Replacement circuit breakers and instantaneous trip units used
to protect trailing cables shall be calibrated, sealed, and labeled as
specified in the PDO granted by MSHA.
(j) All components that provide short-circuit protection shall have
a sufficient interruption rating in accordance with the maximum
calculated fault currents available. All circuit breakers used to
protect trailing cables exceeding the maximum length specified in 30
CFR 18.35(a)(5)(i) shall have instantaneous trip units properly
calibrated and adjusted to trip at no more than the smallest of the
following values:
(1) The setting specified in 30 CFR 75.601-1;
(2) The setting specified in the approval documentation for the
machine; or
(3) 70 percent of the minimum phase to phase short circuit current
available at the end of the trailing cable.
(k) The short circuit analysis shall be updated whenever changes
are made to the mine power system that affect the fault current
available at the end of the affected trailing cables and the specified
settings used to protect these trailing cables. An updated short
circuit analysis which accurately determines the minimum phase to phase
short circuit current available at the end of the affected trailing
cables shall be made available to MSHA personnel upon request.
(l) During each production shift, persons designated by the mine
operator shall visually examine the trailing cables to ensure that they
are in safe operating condition. The instantaneous settings of the
specifically 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 specified in the PDO granted by
MSHA.
(m) Any trailing cable that is not in safe operating condition
shall be removed from service immediately and repaired or replaced.
(n) Each splice or repair in the trailing cables shall be made in a
workman-like manner and in accordance with the instructions of the
manufacturer of the splice repair materials. The outer jacket of each
splice or repair shall be vulcanized with flame resistant material or
made with material that has been accepted by MSHA as flame resistant.
Splices shall comply with the requirements of 30 CFR 75.603 and 75.604.
(o) Permanent warning labels shall be installed and maintained on
the cover(s) of the power center or distribution box identifying the
location of each sealed or locked short-circuit protective device.
These labels shall warn miners not to change or alter these sealed
short-circuit settings, and any sign of tampering with the specially
calibrated circuit breaker or trip unit will require the replacement of
the circuit breaker with another calibrated, sealed and/or locked trip
unit. All cable couplers for these cables shall be constructed or
designed, for example keyed or sized, to permit only the proper type
and length of cable to be plugged into the receptacle with the proper
settings.
(p) If the mining methods or operating procedures cause or
contribute to the damage of any trailing cable, the cable shall be
removed from service immediately and repaired or replaced. Additional
precautions shall be taken to ensure that haulage roads and trailing
cable storage areas are situated to minimize contact of the trailing
cable with continuous mining machines, roof bolting machines, and
shuttle cars. Trailing cable anchors on cable reel equipment shall be
of the permanent type that minimizes the tensile forces on the trailing
cables.
(q) Where the method of mining requires that trailing cables cross
roadways or haulage ways, the cables shall be securely supported from
the mine roof, or a substantial bridge for equipment to pass over the
cables shall be provided and used.
(r) Excessive cable shall be stored behind the anchor on equipment
that uses cable reels to prevent cables from overheating.
(s) The PDO granted by MSHA alternate method shall not be
implemented until miners who have been designated to examine the
integrity of seals or locks, verify the short circuit settings, and
examine trailing cables for defects and damage, have received the
training as detailed in section (y).
[[Page 20253]]
(t) Within 60 days after the PDO granted by MSHA 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) Mining methods and operating procedures that will protect the
trailing cables against damage;
(2) Proper procedures for examining the trailing cables to ensure
that they are in safe operating condition;
(3) Hazards of setting the instantaneous circuit breakers too high
to adequately protect the trailing cables;
(4) How to verify that the circuit interrupting device(s)
protecting the trailing cable(s) is properly set and maintained; and
(5) How to protect trailing cables against damage caused by
overheating when excessive cable is stored on the cable reel and the
importance of adjusting stored cable behind the cable anchor as
tramming distances change.
In support of the proposed alternative method, the petitioner
submitted short circuit analyses for 950 feet and 1,200 feet lengths of
cable for 995-VAC, 900 feet and 1,200 feet lengths of cable for 480-
VAC, and 850 feet and 1,200 feet lengths of cable for 550-VDC to
demonstrate that there is enough current available to trip the short
circuit protection at the time of a fault. Pictures of the ground fault
detection diode assembly and detailed technical information of the
rectifier diode were also provided.
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. 2024-05933 Filed 3-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
