81 FR 4337 - Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 16 (January 26, 2016)

Page Range		4337-4338
FR Document		2016-01429

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4337-4338]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01429]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory 
Safety Standards

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977 and Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 44 govern the 
application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. 
This notice is a summary of petitions for modification submitted to the 
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed 
below.

DATES: All comments on the petitions must be received by the MSHA's 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before February 
25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments, identified by ``docket 
number'' on the subject line, by any of the following methods:
    1. Electronic Mail: [email protected]. Include the docket 
number of the petition in the subject line of the message.
    2. Facsimile: 202-693-9441.
    3. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, 
Arlington, Virginia 22202-5452, Attention: Sheila McConnell, Acting 
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances. Persons 
delivering documents are required to check in at the receptionist's 
desk in Suite 4E401. Individuals may inspect copies of the petitions 
and comments during normal business hours at the address listed above.
    MSHA will consider only comments postmarked by the U.S. Postal 
Service or proof of delivery from another delivery service such as UPS 
or Federal Express on or before the deadline for comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Barron, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9447 (Voice), 
[email protected] (Email), or 202-693-9441 (Facsimile). [These are 
not toll-free numbers.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 I. Background

    Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act) allows the mine operator or representative of miners to file 
a petition to modify the application of any mandatory safety standard 
to a coal or other mine if the Secretary of Labor determines that:
    1. An alternative method of achieving the result of such standard 
exists which will at all times guarantee no less than the same measure 
of protection afforded the miners of such mine by such standard; or
    2. That the application of such standard to such mine will result 
in a diminution of safety to the miners in such mine.
    In addition, the regulations at 30 CFR 44.10 and 44.11 establish 
the requirements and procedures for filing petitions for modification.

II. Petitions for Modification

    Docket Number: M-2015-007-M.
    Petitioner: Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc., 1695 Allen Road, 
Evansville, Indiana 47710-3394.
    Mine: Solvay Chemicals, Inc., P.O. Box 1167, 400 County Road 85, 
Green River, Wyoming 82935, MSHA I.D. No. 48-01295, located in 
Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 57.22606(a) and (c) (Explosive 
materials and blasting units (III mines).
    Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of the 
existing standard to permit the use of nonpermissible detonators to 
detonate explosives in the blast holes during work at the construction 
of the No. 4 shaft. The petitioner states that application of the 
standard introduces a safety risk to the miners and the alternative 
method outlined in the petition will at all times guarantee no less 
than the same measure of protection afforded the miners by the 
standard. The petitioner states that:
    (1) Frontier-Kemper Constructors, Inc. (FKCI), working as an 
independent contractor for Solvay Chemicals, will construct a twenty-
two foot finished diameter shaft. The shaft will be raise-drilled to 
sixteen feet, six inches in diameter and then slashed to a final 
excavated diameter ranging from twenty-four to twenty-eight feet. The 
concrete lining of the shaft will advance concurrently with the 
slashing operation to minimize the miner's exposure to open ground.
    (2) FKCI is requesting to use nonpermissible detonators during 
slashing operations because geological ground conditions in this area 
are highly conductive and interfere with permissible electric donators. 
The ground inhibits the ability to safely conduct electricity to 
detonate a blast round. Because of this, the workers and the mine are 
at a risk of misfires and partial round detonation.
    FKCI proposes to use the following blasting methods and practices 
for the excavation required during construction of Solvay Chemicals 
Shaft #4:

--Only the explosives and detonators specified in this plan or 
explosive materials MSHA approved in 30 CFR part 15 will be used.
--Before initiating a blast, all persons will be withdrawn from the 
shaft. All blasts will be initiated from the surface.
--The air will be tested immediately prior to loading of the blast 
round and continuously monitored with an instrument capable of 
providing both visual and audible alarms as required in 30 CFR 
57.22227.
--If 1.0 percent or more methane is found prior to loading blast holes 
or after loading has commenced, the loading will immediately cease and 
procedures as required in 30 CFR 57.22234 will be followed.
--A minimum air flow of 6000 cfm will be maintained in the shaft at all 
times during loading of blast holes as required in 30 CFR 57.22213.
--All regulations in the 30 CFR and safeguards in MSDS sheets will be 
adhered to.
--In the event of mine ventilation loss, the entire mine including 
Solvay Shaft #4 will be evacuated.
--Warning will be given to the employees working underground at Solvay 
Shaft #4 before a blast round is initiated.
--Non-electric tubing will be inspected for cuts, nicks and abrasions. 
The tubing must be free of defects in order to confine the detonation 
and will not be used if these defects are found.
--A visual inspection around the plug will be done prior to moving the 
work deck to ensure nothing is caught. In addition, only personnel 
responsible for loading the round will be on the bench. The round will 
be initiated with an electric cap.

    The petitioner states that:

[[Page 4338]]

    (1) Blasting for this project will utilize MS delays. FKCI's past 
experience using MS delays in similar environments has been successful. 
The Nonel MS caps and detonation cord significantly reduces the amount 
of cutoffs and misfires when blasting in a ``shaft bottom'' 
environment. FKCI has successfully used this method in areas of methane 
without incident.
    (2) Included in this petition are blast pattern drawings indicating 
MS delay times and drilling depth, manufacturer data sheets for 
blasting materials, and a ventilation plan showing the route of 
blasting smoke out of the mine.
    (3) FKCI believes that the intent of 30 CFR 57.22606(a) and (c) 
will be achieved along with the other safety concerns contained in this 
petition.
    The petitioner asserts that application of the existing standard 
will result in a diminution of safety to the miners and that the 
proposed alternative method will at all times guarantee no less than 
the same measure of protection afforded by the existing standard.

Sheila McConnell,
Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
[FR Doc. 2016-01429 Filed 1-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P

4338 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Notices

(1) Blasting for this project will utilize LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION telephone call-in directions provided
MS delays. FKCI’s past experience using below.
MS delays in similar environments has Sunshine Act Meeting
CALL-IN DIRECTIONS FOR OPEN SESSIONS:
been successful. The Nonel MS caps
and detonation cord significantly DATE AND TIME: The Legal Services • Call toll-free number: 1–866–451–
reduces the amount of cutoffs and Corporation’s Board of Directors and its 4981;
misfires when blasting in a ‘‘shaft six committees will meet January 28— • When prompted, enter the
bottom’’ environment. FKCI has 30, 2016. On Thursday, January 28, the following numeric pass code:
successfully used this method in areas first meeting will commence at 1:00 5907707348–.
of methane without incident. p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), with • When connected to the call, please
the meeting thereafter commencing immediately ‘‘MUTE’’ your telephone.
(2) Included in this petition are blast promptly upon adjournment of the
pattern drawings indicating MS delay • Combined Audit and Finance
immediately preceding meeting. On Committee you may join the meeting
times and drilling depth, manufacturer Friday, January 29, the first meeting will
data sheets for blasting materials, and a online at https://global.gotomeeting.
commence at 2:00 p.m., EST, with the com/join/324589357 or telephonically
ventilation plan showing the route of next meeting commencing promptly
blasting smoke out of the mine. by dialing 1 (571) 317–3122.
upon adjournment of the immediately
(3) FKCI believes that the intent of 30 preceding meeting. On Saturday, • Online when prompted, enter the
CFR 57.22606(a) and (c) will be January 30, the first meeting will following access code: 324–589–357, the
achieved along with the other safety commence at 9:30 a.m., EST, it will be Audio Pin will be shown after joining
concerns contained in this petition. followed by the closed session meeting the meeting, for both online and
of the Board of Directors which will telephonically the meeting ID code:
The petitioner asserts that application 324–589–357.
of the existing standard will result in a commence promptly upon adjournment
of the prior meeting. • When connected to the call, please
diminution of safety to the miners and immediately ‘‘MUTE’’ your telephone.
that the proposed alternative method LOCATION: The Mills House Wyndham
Grand Hotel, 115 Meeting Street, Members of the public are asked to keep
will at all times guarantee no less than their telephones muted to eliminate
the same measure of protection afforded Charleston, South Carolina 29401.
background noises. To avoid disrupting
by the existing standard. PUBLIC OBSERVATION: Unless otherwise
the meeting, please refrain from placing
noted herein, the Board and all
Sheila McConnell, the call on hold if doing so will trigger
committee meetings will be open to
Acting Director, Office of Standards, recorded music or other sound. From
public observation. Members of the
Regulations, and Variances. time to time, the presiding Chair may
public who are unable to attend in
[FR Doc. 2016–01429 Filed 1–25–16; 8:45 am] solicit comments from the public.
person but wish to listen to the public
BILLING CODE 4520–43–P proceedings may do so by following the Meeting Schedule

Thursday, January 28, 2016 Time *

1. Operations & Regulations Committee ................................................................................................................................. 1:00 p.m.
2. Delivery of Legal Services Committee.
Friday, January 29, 2016
1. Institutional Advancement Committee ................................................................................................................................. 2:00 p.m.
2. Communications Subcommittee of the Institutional Advancement Committee
3. Audit Committee
4. Finance Committee
5. Combined Audit and Finance Committee
6. Governance & Performance Review Committee
Saturday, January 30, 2016
1. Board of Directors ............................................................................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m.
* Please note that all times in this notice are in Eastern Standard Time.

STATUS OF MEETING: Open, except as Institutional Advancement A verbatim written transcript will be
noted below. Committee—Open, except that, upon a made of the closed session of the Board,
Board of Directors—Open, except vote of the Board of Directors, the Institutional Advancement Committee,
that, upon a vote of the Board of meeting may be closed to the public to Audit Committee, and Combined Audit
Directors, a portion of the meeting may consider and act on recommendation of and Finance Committee meetings. The
be closed to the public to hear briefings new prospective donors and to receive transcript of any portions of the closed
a briefing on the donor report.** sessions falling within the relevant
by management and LSC’s Inspector
General, and to consider and act on the Audit Committee—Open, except that provisions of the Government in the
General Counsel’s report on potential the meeting may be closed to the public Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(6) and
and pending litigation involving LSC, to hear a briefing on the Office of (10), will not be available for public
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

and on a list of prospective funders.** Compliance and Enforcement’s active inspection. A copy of the General
enforcement matters.** Counsel’s Certification that, in his
** Any portion of the closed session consisting Combined Audit and Finance opinion, the closing is authorized by
soley of briefings does not fall within the Sunshine Committee—Open, except that the law will be available upon request.
Act’s defintion of the term ‘‘meeting’’ and, therfore,
the reqiuremeents of the Sunshine Act do not apply
meeting may be closed to the public to MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
to such portionof the closed session. 5 U.S.C. 552b hear a briefing from the Corporation’s
(a)(2) and (b). See also 45 C.F.R. § 1622.2 & 1622.3. Auditor.**

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Document Created: 2018-02-02 12:38:30
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 12:38:30

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		All comments on the petitions must be received by the MSHA's Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances on or before February 25, 2016.
Contact		Barbara Barron, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9447 (Voice), [email protected] (Email), or 202-693-9441 (Facsimile). [These are not toll-free numbers.]
FR Citation		81 FR 4337

81 FR 4337 - Petitions for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards

DEPARTMENT OF LABORMine Safety and Health Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 16 (January 26, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration