The W Virginia coal mine accidents are an example of why gov't continues to grow: some elements of society demand the gov't do more. The small voices calling for reduction of gov't are outshouted every day.
That rule was implemented during the Carter regime, at the direction of the United Mine Workers. The whole point of it was to protect union "fireman" jobs at the mines.
Carter is still walking around and it's really not too late to bring him up on criminal charges for creating this infernal machine.