Members of the news media who apparently had "fast and not so good" safety training were allowed into the mine during rescue operations, he noted. This happened "despite objections from other MSHA officials. Assistant Secretary Stickler should better explain that decision, which may have put people's lives at risk unnecessarily."

Matthew Faraci, spokesman for MSHA, wrote, "While the confirmation by the Inspector General that there was no evidence of undue influence in approving the roof plan for the Crandall Canyon mine is welcomed; we take exception to the Inspector General's headline-grabbing language that is unsupported by facts or evidence."

Mine union president Cecil E. Roberts, said in his release, "This report validates what the UMWA has maintained from the very beginning of the investigation: MSHA did not follow its own regulations and procedures."

Roberts added that independent investigations are needed because "when MSHA investigates a mine fatality, all too often it is also investigating itself."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com