Federal Register #M2026008C

Petitions to Modify Mine Safety Standards for Gas Well Mining and Respiratory Protection

This notice from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) summarizes petitions for modification of safety standards at two underground coal mines: - Government Buyer: - Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances - Petitioners: - Iron Cumberland, LLC (Cumberland Mine, Pennsylvania) - Fossil Rock Resources, LLC (Fossil Rock Mine, Utah) - OEMs and Vendors Mentioned: - 3M (manufacturer of Versaflo TR800 PAPR and Ultimate FX Full-Facepiece Respirator) - CleanSpace (manufacturer of CleanSpace EX Full-face or half-mask respirator) - Products/Equipment Referenced: - CleanSpace EX Full-face or half-mask respirator (NIOSH-approved, intrinsically safe PAPR) - 3M Versaflo TR800 PAPR (intrinsically safe, ANSI/UL 60079-11 classified) - 3M Ultimate FX Full-Facepiece Respirator (non-battery-powered) - Six unconventional gas wells (Daddy Long Legs Marcellus Gas Wells: 1H, 3H, 5H, 7H, 9H, 11H) to be plugged and mined through - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Iron Cumberland requests to mine within the 300-foot safety barrier of six unconventional gas wells, contingent on specific plugging and safety procedures (casing removal, cement plugging, mechanical bridge plugs) - Fossil Rock seeks approval to use modern intrinsically safe respirators and full-face respirators that meet current hazardous-location standards, due to lack of MSHA-approved devices - Emphasis on compliance with NIOSH and ANSI/UL hazardous location standards for respiratory protection - No procurement of products or services is being solicited; the notice is for regulatory modification and public comment

Description

This notice summarizes a petition for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by Iron Cumberland, LLC. The petition requests modification of standard 30 CFR 75.1700 to permit mining within the 300 feet diameter safety barrier of six unconventional gas wells at the Cumberland Mine in Pennsylvania. The petitioner asserts that the alternative method will guarantee no less than the same measure of protection afforded the miners under the mandatory standard. The notice also includes details about safety procedures, training requirements, and regulatory compliance related to the petition.

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