they fear retribution if they show their faces, but claim the largest energy company in central appelachia isn't as safe as it should be. ray worked with the company for 40 years. >> there is no way that should have happened. if a state mine inspector and found that, that mine should have been closed until they took care of it. >> reporter: after receiving 515 federal safety violations last year, massey energy accumulated 124 more this year, including ten violations for excessive levels of methane gas and dust. 40 similar violations over the last four years. officials have said gas levels in the mine were far too high. jeff biggers has written about america's coal industry and says the system is flawed. >> i think we have to ask the question, why do we allow coal companies, for example, to contest violations that have been noted by inspectors and draw them out in the courts for months, if not years? >> reporter: the controversial ceo of massey energy is concerned about tougher new mine safety laws. >> no matter how you look at, the accidents are a human tragedy. second, they disrupt you an