Notice2023-19227
Petition for Modification of Application of Existing Mandatory Safety Standards
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 7, 2023
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentMine Safety and Health Administration
Abstract
This notice is a summary of a petition for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the party listed below.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61618-61619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19227]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 October 10, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. MSHA-2023-
0037 by any of the following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments for MSHA-2023-0037.
2. Fax: 202-693-9441.
3. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#68180d1c011c0107060b0705050d061c1b280c0704460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="90e0f5e4f9e4f9fffef3fffdfdf5fee4e3d0f4fffcbef7ffe6">[email protected]</span></a>.
4. Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards,
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401,
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 Suite 4E401. 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),
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c090a5b4a9b4a9afaeb3a6afb2adafa4a9a6a9a3a1b4a9afae80a4afaceea7afb6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b5e5d0c1dcc1dcdadbc6d3dac7d8dad1dcd3dcd6d4c1dcdadbf5d1dad99bd2dac3">[email protected]</span></a> (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-2023-018-C.
Petitioner: The Coteau Properties Company, 204 County Road 15,
Beulah, North Dakota 58523.
Mine: Freedom Mine, MSHA ID No. 32-00595, located in Mercer County,
North Dakota.
Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.1607(u) (Loading and haulage
equipment; operation).
Modification Request: The petitioner requests a modification of 30
CFR 77.1607(u) to permit the use of an engine driven hydraulic power
pack, Kubota Model D1105, to tow disabled haulage trucks in lieu of a
solid tow bar and safety chain.
The petitioner states that:
(a) The petitioner has a previously granted petition for
modification, docket number M-2018-013-C, to use a Lambordini Model 9LD
625-2 engine driven hydraulic power pack to tow disabled haulage
trucks.
(b) The petitioner is now requesting to use a Kubota Model D1105,
serial number 1GZ1802, engine driven hydraulic power pack due to
mechanical issues with the Lambordini Model 9 LD 625-2 engine driven
hydraulic power pack. The Kubota Model D1105, serial number 1GZ1802,
engine driven hydraulic power pack will be used under the same terms
and conditions listed in the previously granted petition.
The petitioner proposes the following alternative method:
(a) The proposed towing system shall only apply to vehicles with a
``fail safe'' braking system and emergency steering capabilities.
(b) The tow ropes used to tow a disabled vehicle shall be a minimum
of 3\5/8\'' Dyneema material, at least 50 feet in length, with an
average breaking strength of 1,459,000 lbs., and maintained in good
condition. Tow ropes shall be attached to both vehicles with tow balls
or equivalent attachments. Connecting the towing ropes between vehicles
shall be done when the vehicles are at a protected location and the
engines are not running and both vehicles shall be blocked with wheel
chocks prior to attaching or disconnecting nylon towing slings when the
potential for rolling exists. Tow ropes shall be maintained and
replaced as per manufacturer's recommendations.
(c) Radio communications between the towed and the towing vehicles
shall be maintained at all times when the vehicles are moving. The
towed vehicle driver shall be able to see at least 10 feet in front of
the vehicle. Towing speed shall not exceed 5 mph.
(d) The engine driven hydraulic power pack shall be adequately
designed to supply the correct hydraulic pressure as recommended by the
towed vehicle manufacturer.
(e) The power pack shall be securely mounted to the towed vehicle
as to not impede the operation of the vehicle or pose safety hazards
such as a broken hydraulic line or exhaust fumes that may enter the
operator's compartment. The power pack shall not impede the ability to
exit the vehicle quickly.
(f) The power pack shall operate at all times when the vehicle is
being towed to maintain normal braking and steering functions. The
power pack shall be examined prior to each use by a
[[Page 61619]]
qualified mechanic trained to perform the examination.
(g) Prior to towing operation, testing of the brakes and steering
shall be performed at a protected location. The test shall include
fully pressurizing the air system to ensure the brakes function
properly and depleting the air system to ensure the ``fail safe''
brakes re-apply at the proper pressures.
(h) All qualified mechanics shall be trained to perform the
installation of the power pack to tow a vehicle.
(i) Loaded haul trucks shall not be towed. Loads shall be dumped or
otherwise removed prior to towing.
(j) Prior to towing operations, the route of travel shall be
cleared of traffic and all persons in the affected area notified.
(k) No more than 60 days after this Proposed Decision and Order
(PDO) becomes final, the petitioner shall submit revisions to its
approved 30 CFR part 48 training plan that address the requirements in
the PDO to the MSHA District Manager.
In support of the proposed alternative method, the petitioner
submitted task training instructions on the operation of the Kubota
Model D1105, serial number 1GZ1802, engine driven hydraulic power pack.
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. 2023-19227 Filed 9-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4520-43-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 7, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.