In the wake of recent mining disasters, government regulators have stepped up investigations and called for higher safety standards for the American coal industry. Preliminary findings have shown that recent explosions and shaft collapses could have been averted if mines had responded to hazard-related citations.

Despite such Monday morning quarterbacking from lawmakers, some mine operators express doubts over the government's involvement. Robert E. Murray, the owner of Ohio's largest coal operations, claims that lawmaker proposals are knee-jerk reactions that won't make mining safer. "I resent these politicians playing politics with my employees' safety," said Murray. "I take the safety of my miners to bed with me every night." Reports show that Murray Energy's mines haven't seen a fatality or life-threatening injury in years.

Back-to-back mining disasters in early 2006 made international headlines and turned occupational safety into a pressing issue for industry leaders. In one incident, 12 coal miners trapped in West Virginia's Sago Mine were found dead--hours after news media had reported their miraculous survival. In spite of the high-profile accidents, industry reports show that mining safety has greatly improved over the past few decades.