Federal government "assured" workers WV coal mines were safe

[SuMar]

What were those assurances worth? After all, we are talking about life and death here.

A federal audit released just days before a massive explosion killed 25 coal miners in West Virginia found that the country's top mine safety agency was not adequately retraining its veteran inspectors, even as hundreds of new inspectors were being hired.

FOXNews.com - Audit Cited Mine Inspectors for Training Problems Days Before W.Va. Explosion​

 

[uscitizen]

And why would we be rushing to hire hundreds of new inspectors?

 

[uscitizen]

From the link in the OP.
In the past year, federal inspectors fined the operating company more than $382,000 for repeated serious violations involving its ventilation plan and equipment at Upper Big Branch. The violations also cover failing to follow the plan, allowing combustible coal dust to pile up, and having improper firefighting equipment.

Ellen Smith, owner of Mine Safety and Health News, told Fox News that the latest violation, for ventilation problems, came on March 30.