MINUTES
Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment
Fayette County Health Center, Uniontown, PA
July 18, 2001

 

The Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment (TAC) held a regular meeting on July 18 at the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown. The meeting began at 10 a.m.

Attendance:

Members Present:

Eugene Davis
Robert DuBreucq

Others Present:

Richard E. Stickler, BDMS
Joseph A. Sbaffoni, BDMS
William B. Bookshar, BDMS
John H. Ealy, UMWA Local 2300
Bob Bohach, RAG Cumberland Resources
Allison D. Gaida, BDMS

Minutes of the April 18 meeting were distributed and reviewed. There were no changes to the minutes, and Gene Davis and Bob DuBreucq approved them as submitted.

New Business:

Mining Diesel Emissions Conference (MDEC) –The TAC members are interested in attending this year’s conference that will be held in Markham, Canada, on November 5-7. Bill Bookshar will obtain an agenda and additional information as it becomes available.

NO/NO2 Relationship on a Mine-by-Mine Basis – The TAC is willing to look at the NO/NO2 relationship on a mine-by-mine basis if a proposal was submitted to them. Analysis of limited data currently available does not show a quantifiable correlation.

General Diesel Update - The TAC requested that the Bureau’s mine inspectors at mines with diesel equipment be invited to the next TAC meeting to give an update on their general inspection and observation of the diesel equipment at Cumberland, Emerald, and Burrell Mines. The Bureau will see that Bill Gardner, Steve Strange, and Tony Scarton are invited to the October 24, 2001 meeting.

Joe Sbaffoni informed the TAC that Burrell has had no problems with their diesel equipment. They will be purchasing a new open-type scoop to be used outby with a bigger engine. The TAC members would like to visit the Burrell Mine in the future. Questions arose as to which engine would be in this scoop. Bill Bookshar said that the 6BG1 engine, which has not been approved, was mentioned in the discussions with the mine operators.

Bob Bohach provided the TAC and Bureau with results of the diesel sludge chemical analysis done at the Cumberland Mine. Cumberland Mine plans to implement training to familiarize miners who come in contact with the diesel engines of the hazards of diesel sludge.

TAC’s Investigation of Changes to Article II-A – The TAC held several meetings with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and the Pennsylvania Coal Association (PCA) to discuss proposed changes to Article II-A of the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act. The intent is to have the proposed changes finalized and a written recommendation to the Bureau by the end of July.

Proposed changes recommended by the TAC were discussed at length. Generally, Richard Stickler supported the TAC’s proposed changes. Other changes were also discussed and reviewed. The TAC, PCA, and UMWA each had requested changes that were still in the discussion phase. These items were referred back to the TAC to review with their respective organizations.

Richard Sticker praised the system in place to adjust the Diesel Act and encouraged the UMWA and PCA to see if changes could be made to upgrade the Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Mine Act dated in 1961.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 24, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. in Uniontown.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.