A spokesman for the agency, Dirk Fillpot, defended its record, pointing out that last year the coal industry had 22 fatalities, the lowest number in its history.

"Safety is definitely improving," Mr. Fillpot said.

I think that would be an abberant year there. As the article also goes on to point out, mechanization means fewer miners, so maybe it's actually more dangerous if you're still a miner?

U.S. Is Reducing Safety Penalties for Mine Flaws - New York Times