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:
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:
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:
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.