Safety practices at coal mines vary throughout U.S.

An investigation by Dan Barry, Ian Urbina and Clifford Krauss, of The New York Times, shows wide discrepancies in safety practices at coal mines throughout the United States. Mine disasters, such as the methane explosion that caused 29 fatalities at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine, have colored the national perception of the industry. "A comparison between Massey’s safety practices and those of other operators in the coal industry shows sharp differences, helping to explain why Massey mines led the list of those warned by federal regulators that they could face greater scrutiny because of their many violations. "