By Indykids Staff
Coal mining is a dangerous job. Mine safety gained national attention when 12 miners were killed in an explosion on January 2 at the Sago Mine in West Virginia. So far this year, a total of 19 miners have been killed at work in West Virginia, Kentucky and Utah.
The recent deaths have highlighted the need for better mine safety regulations. One new law in West Virginia requires underground oxygen supplies so that miners will be able to breathe if they are trapped inside a mine, allowing more time for their rescue.