Pennsylvania Code
Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

• No statutes or acts will be found at this website.

The Pennsylvania Bulletin website includes the following: Rulemakings by State agencies; Proposed Rulemakings by State agencies; State agency notices; the Governor’s Proclamations and Executive Orders; Actions by the General Assembly; and Statewide and local court rules.

PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 01-1276f

[31 Pa.B. 3771]

[Continued from previous Web Page]

SPECIAL NOTICES

Bureau of Deep Mine Safety

Approval of Request for Variance

   The Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety (BDMS), has approved R&R Mining, Inc.'s request for a variance from the requirements of Section 242(c) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act at the #73 Mine. This notification contains a summary of this request and the basis for the Department's approval. A complete copy of the variance request may be obtained from Allison Gaida by calling (724) 439-7469 or from the BDMS web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/dms.htm.

   Summary of the Request: R&R Mining, Inc. requested a variance from Section 242(c) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act to allow for the common ventilation of the belt conveyor entry with other entries at the #73 Mine along the No. 4, 5 and 6 belts. The proposal accords protection to persons and property substantially equal to or greater than the requirements of Section 242(c).

   The basis for the Bureau's approval is summarized as follows:

   1.  R&R's plan provides for an advanced fire detection and control system consisting of CO monitors, thermal detectors and a fire suppression system.

   2.  R&R's plan provides a separate intake escapeway that will be isolated from the belt conveyor entries. The isolated intake escapeway will be maintained at a higher ventilation pressure than the belt and common entries.

   3.  R&R's plan provides for the belt and common entries to serve as an alternate intake escapeway.

   4.  There are significant health and safety benefits associated with allowing entries in common with the belt entry. Safer access is provided to workers performing repair and maintenance work in the belt entry. Improved visual safety inspections are facilitated by open crosscuts.

   This approval is limited to the use of entries in common with the belt entry. All other terms and requirements of Section 242(c) shall remain in effect. Continued authorization for operation under the approval is contingent upon compliance with the measures described in R&R's plan and the following conditions.

   1.  Operation, maintenance and calibration of the Logi-Tec, Inc. Model LTPA-98 Point CO (carbon monoxide) Monitor System shall comply with the manufacturer's recommendation and DEP equipment approval number BOTE 1712-98.

   2.  R&R Mining, Inc. shall comply with the Mine Safety and Health Administration's approved Fire Fighting and Evacuation Plan.

   3.  R&R shall notify the DEP District Mine Inspector when the point CO monitor system has been installed.

Approval of Request for Variance

   The Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety (BDMS) has approved Rosebud Mining Company's request for a variance from the requirements of Section 242(c) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act at the Clementine Mine. This notification contains a summary of this request and the basis for the Department's approval. A complete copy of the variance request may be obtained from Allison Gaida by calling (724) 439-7469 or from the BDMS web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/dms.htm.

   Summary of the Request:  Rosebud Mining Company requested a variance from Section 242(c) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act to allow for the common ventilation of belt conveyor entry with other entries at the Clementine Mine. The proposal accords protections to persons and property substantially equal to or greater than the requirements of Section 242(c).

   The basis for the Bureau's approval is summarized as follows:

   1.  Clementine's plan provides for an advanced fire detection and control system consisting of carbon monoxide (CO) monitors, thermal detectors and a fire suppression system.

   2.  Clementine's plan provides a separate intake escapeway that will be isolated from the belt conveyor entries. The isolated intake escapeway will be maintained at a higher ventilation pressure than the belt and common entries.

   3.  Clementine's plan provides for the belt and common entries to serve as an alternate intake escapeway.

   4.  There are significant health and safety benefits associated with allowing entries in common with the belt entry. Safer access is provided to workers performing repair and maintenance work in the belt entry. Improved visual safety inspections are facilitated by open crosscuts.

   This approval is limited to a variance from the requirements in Section 242(c) requiring that the belt entry is isolated from other entries. All other terms and requirements of Section 242(c) shall remain in effect. This approval applies to all areas developed after May 20, 1998. Continued authorization for operation under the approval is contingent upon compliance with the measures described in Clementine's plan and the following conditions:

   1.  Operation, maintenance and calibration of the Logi-Tec, Inc. Model LTPA-98 Point CO (carbon monoxide) Monitor System shall comply with the manufacturer's recommendation and DEP equipment approval number BOTE 1712-98.

   2.  Clementine shall comply with the Mine Safety and Health Administration's approved Fire Fighting and Evacuation Plan.

   3.  Clementine shall notify the DEP District Mine Inspector when the point CO monitor system has been installed.

Approval of Request for Variance

   The Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety (BDMS), has approved Mon View Mining Company's request for a variance from the requirements of Section 268(b) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act at the Mathies Mine. This notification contains a summary of this request and the basis for the Department's approval. A complete copy of the variance request may be obtained from Allison Gaida by calling (724) 439-7469 or from the BDMS web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/dms.htm.

   Summary of the Request:  Mon View Mining Company requested a variance from Section 268(b) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act to extend shelter hole distances along track haulage roads at the Mathies Mine. The proposal accords protection to persons and property substantially equal to or greater than the requirements of Section 268(b).

   The basis for the Bureau's approval is summarized as follows:

   1.  All transportation equipment (jeeps, portal buses, locomotive, and the like) will immediately sound an audible warning and bring the equipment to a complete stop when encountering personnel traveling by foot along the track haulageway. The equipment operator will allow the personnel to enter the nearest shelter hole before proceeding.

   2.  Signs shall be posted inby and outby the affected area that state extended shelter hole intervals.

   3.  Shelter hole locations will be marked with a reflective indicator visible from along the track haulageway, which will allow personnel walking along the track to judge the distance to the shelter hole. Indicators will be consistent in color and design at all locations.

   4.  Flashing warning lights shall be placed at least 100 feet from each approach to each work site when men are working in the affected area.

   5.  All trips traveling through the areas will be provided with a locomotive coupled to the front and back of the trip at all times. Each locomotive will be of sufficient capacity to control the entire trip.

   6.  All self-propelled track haulage equipment will have properly maintained radio communications equipment. Track haulage equipment with malfunctioning radio communications equipment shall immediately be taken out of service until the equipment is repaired.

   7.  All employees, contractors, inspectors, visitors, and the like will be adequately trained and instructed concerning shelter hole guidelines and safety procedures prior to entering the mine. This training will become a part of the annual retraining, task training and hazard training.

   8.  Coal will not be transported on the rail haulage in the area where the variance allows extended shelter holes.

   This approval is limited to Mathies' variance from the requirements in Section 268(b). All other terms and requirements of Section 268(b) shall remain in effect. Continued authorization for operation under the approval is contingent upon compliance with the measures described in Mathies' plan and the following condition:

   Flashing warning lights shall be placed at least 100 feet from each approach to each work site when men are working in the affected area.

Approval of Request for Variance

   The Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Deep Mine Safety (BDMS), has approved Quecreek Mining, Inc.'s request for a variance from the requirements of Section 242(c) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act at the Quecreek Mine. This notification contains a summary of this request and the basis for the Department's approval. A complete copy of the variance request may be obtained from Allison Gaida by calling (724) 439-7469 or from the BDMS web site at http://www. dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/dms/dms.htm.

   Summary of the Request:  Quecreek Mining, Inc. requested a variance from Section 242(c) of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act to allow for the common ventilation of the belt conveyor entry with other entries at the Quecreek Mine. The proposal accords protection to persons and property substantially equal to or greater than the requirements of Section 242(c).

   The basis for the Bureau's approval is summarized as follows:

   1.  Quecreek's plan provides for an advanced fire detection and control system consisting of CO monitors, thermal detectors and a fire suppression system.

   2.  Quecreek's plan provides a separate intake escapeway that will be isolated from the belt conveyor entries. The isolated intake escapeway will be maintained at a higher ventilation pressure than the belt and common entries.

   3.  Quecreek's plan provides for the belt and common entries to serve as an alternate intake escapeway.

   4.  There are significant health and safety benefits associated with allowing entries in common with the belt entry. Safer access is provided to workers performing repair and maintenance work in the belt entry. Improved visual safety inspections are facilitated by open crosscuts.

   This approval is limited to the use of entries in common with the belt entry. All other terms and requirements of Section 242(c) shall remain in effect. Continued authorization for operation under the approval is contingent upon compliance with the measures described in your enclosed plan and the following conditions.

   1.  Operation, maintenance and calibration of the Logi-Tec, Inc. Model LTPA-98 Point CO (carbon monoxide) Monitor System shall comply with the manufacturer's recommendation and DEP equipment approval number BOTE 1712-98.

   2.  Quecreek shall comply with the Mine Safety and Health Administration's approved Fire Fighting and Evacuation Plan.

   3.  Quecreek shall notify the DEP District Mine Inspector when the point CO monitor system has been installed.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-1276. Filed for public inspection July 13, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]


No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.

This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.