2008-02-22_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2008086 (39)

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CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences and Mitigation • Blasting: Blasting creates a number of risks such as flying rock, dust, noise, vibration, and airblast effects. Flying rocks and airblast effects can cause serious personal injury if not properly controlled. • Fire in coal storage and handling facilities: Coal stockpiles may combust spontaneously, which may result in fires. • Accidents related to use of tools and machinery: Accidents related to tool and machinery use may result in personal injury or death. • Birds and bats: Respiratory diseases such as histoplasmosis, psittacosis, and cryptococcosis can be transmitted by excretions of birds or bats. These diseases are transmitted either by inhaling the dust from feathers or dropping or inhaling contaminated soil. • Traffic incidents on site: Hazards are associated with use of personal vehicles and mine operation equipment. • Chemical release to atmospheric or ground systems: Hazards are associated with accidental release of chemicals. • Contact with high voltage electricity: Electricity use from mine lighting and the electrical operation of infrastructure will require the use of potentially lethal levels of voltage and amperage. A 69,000-kilovolt (69 kV) transmission line would be required to supply the required power. • Failure to provide adequate emergency treatment and response: Personal injury and death may result from failure to provide adequate emergency treatment and response. Mitigation Measures • Dust from roads and earthwork Dust from earth-moving machinery will be controlled by water and chemical dust suppressants. • Traffic incidents on site: Construction workers operating vehicles, as well as personnel working around vehicles on site will be trained and licensed where applicable, so that these vehicles are operated in a safe and appropriate manner. • Construction equipment hazards: Construction vehicles and equipment will be operated within the manufacturer's specifications. All vehicles and equipment will be maintained and serviced on a regular basis. Maintenance "lock-out/tag-out" safety systems will be implemented. • Fuel, oil, or chemical leaks from equipment and vehicles: All vehicles and equipment will be maintained and serviced on a regular basis. The facilities will have an SPCC Plan (40 CFR Part 112). The SPCC Plan will include spill prevention and containment as well as response and clean-up to an accidental spill or leak. • Noise: Appropriate hearing protective equipment will be utilized by construction workers as required by MSHA and OSHA regulations. Employers must provide hearing protectors to all workers exposed to 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) noise levels of 85 dB or above. This requirement ensures that employees have access to protectors before they experience any hearing loss. The OSHA publication for Hearing Conservation (OSHA 3074) provides 4-56 DBMS 611