A federal mine safety official testified to a Senate committee that Massey Energy took a "catch me if you can" approach to mine safety violations. The testimony came at a hearing following the death of 29 miners on April 5 at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine.

The mine safety official, Joseph A. Main, testified that 48 withdrawal orders were issued at the mine in 2009, more than at any other coal mine. A "withdrawal order" is issued where unsafe conditions require evacuation due to safety reasons.

Additional reports on this testimony can be found at the Washington Post, "Safety Chief Details West Virginia Coal Mine's History of Violations," and the Los Angeles Times, "Mine Operator Accused of Abusing Safety Appeals Process,"