MINUTES

Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment
Fayette County Health Center, Uniontown, PA

November 29, 2001

 

The Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment (TAC) held a regular meeting on November 29 at the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown.  The meeting began at 10:00 a.m. 

Attendance:

Members Present:
                        Eugene Davis
                        Robert DuBreucq

 Others Present:
                        Richard E. Stickler, BDMS
                        Joseph A. Sbaffoni, BDMS
                        William B. Bookshar, BDMS
                        Bob Bohach, RAG Cumberland Resources
                        Anthony Scarton, BDMS
                        Andrew J. Paciga, BDMS
                        Bill Gardner, BDMS
                        Jim Hunyady, Consol Coal Corporation
                        Charles Brant, UMWA Local 1980
                        William Kokla, PennAmerican Coal
                        Larry Saver, Brookville Mining Equipment Corporation
                        Joe Sieber, DEP Policy Office
                        Marc Roda, DEP Regulatory Counsel            
                       Allison D. Gaida, BDMS                    

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

Old Business:
 

Proposed Amendments to Article II-A  - Gene Davis distributed the TAC’s proposed amendments which were submitted to Richard Stickler on September 3.   Mr. Stickler saw no problem with the amendments.  The TAC gave copies to the Pennsylvania Coal Association (PCA) and United Mine Workers of America representative in Harrisburg.  The PCA believes the changes will be introduced to the legislature in December.  The TAC reviewed each of the proposed amendments.  Joe Sbaffoni noted that the proposed rule changes eliminate the use of the Pennsylvania ventilation plate from Section 204A(d) when calculating the amount of air required for the use of multiple pieces of diesel equipment. The TAC responded that the Bureau can still test the ambient air under Section 219-A and require additional ventilation if the TLV’s are not met.

Mining Diesel Emissions Conference (MDEC) – The TAC and Bill Bookshar attended the Mining Diesel Emissions Conference in Markham, Ontario, on November 6-8.  All who attended agreed that the sessions were invaluable.  In Canada, hot gas filter testing for elemental carbon only is completed rather than testing for all components of diesel particulate matter.  Gene Davis proposed that Pennsylvania put on a ‘Pennsylvania approach session’ at next year’s conference to provide information to participants on the use of diesel equipment in Pennsylvania.  Richard Stickler agreed with the recommendation, but cautioned that the possibility of future budget restraints might make this impossible.  

General Diesel Update by Deep Mine Safety Inspectors – During the previous meeting, Bituminous Mine Inspectors Tony Scarton, Jack Paciga, and Bill Gardner were invited to give an update on their general inspection and observation of diesel equipment at the diesel mines they inspect. 

Tony Scarton inspects PennAllegheny Coal Corporation’s Burrell Mine.  He stated that Burrell Mine presently operates two pieces of diesel equipment.  Eight violations have been written since these units were placed in service.  A 15S Scoop was placed into service on November 5 and taken out on November 19 due to high CO readings being generated from the exhaust.  Tony has participated in various diesel training classes at the mine site, but is interested in receiving additional training.  He suggested holding training for smaller groups of only diesel mine inspectors.  Gene Davis recommended dieselnet.com as an invaluable tool to gain helpful information on diesels.  

Jack Paciga inspects RAG Cumberland Mine where there are presently ten pieces of diesel equipment and six more coming in the near future.  He was pleased with the attitude of the mechanics working on the diesel equipment at the mine, as well as the training that he sat in on.  He is also interested in receiving more training and attending future TAC meetings. 

Bill Gardner inspects RAG Emerald Mine.  He stated that Emerald Mine operates four pieces of diesel equipment and one person is assigned to oversee the test maintenance.  He stated that the training he has seen is good. 

Gene Davis asked the inspectors if information discussed at TAC meetings was passed on to them.  The inspectors generally felt it was, but believe it would be better if they attended the meetings. 

Bill Bookshar stressed that equipment maintenance is the key to keeping diesel equipment running.  This fact was stressed at the MDEC conference and during this meeting. 

New Business:

Diesel Training:  Richard Stickler suggested holding a diesel seminar similar to the one that was held in June 2000.  He requested that all interested parties, inspectors, and the TAC submit their ideas on topics they would like to see at this training, as well as what they would be willing to present. He emphasized that it would be good to have the operators present information on the use of diesel powered equipment at their mines.  He would like topics and agenda items sent to him by December 13, 2001, so that a preliminary agenda and an appropriate training program can be organized for early next year. 

Interpretation of Section 203-A(b)(2):  Larry Saver, Brookville Mining Equipment Corporation,  requested clarification of Section 203-A(b)(2).  The TAC referred this to Richard Stickler.   Richard Stickler pointed out a possible contradiction between this section and Section 218-A(13).  He requested that the TAC address this issue and provide the Bureau with a recommendation or guidance on how to implement these two sections that are in conflict.  

Schedule of 2002 Meetings:  Meeting dates for 2002 were scheduled as follows:

              January 15
              April 16
              July 16
              October 22  
 

All meetings will be held at the Fayette County Health Center in Uniontown and begin at 10 a.m. 

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.