Two former inspectors who visited the mine gave evidence in the first week. They both said that the Department of Labour did not have enough inspectors to check mine safety. The inspector could only check once every three months because he was the only inspector for all the mines in New Zealand. Both men became very upset when talking about conditions in the mine.

　　Last week, a Japanese expert gave evidence about safety worries. He began his employment in July 2010 but left on October 20th because he did not think the mine was safe. He thought the ventilation system was poor, there was no second exit and there were high methane levels in the mine.

　　For more about the Pike River Coal Mine, type “coal” in the search box.

　　Vocabulary

　　inquiry – this is like a court with a judge and commissioners

　　phase – stage, part

　　former – ex-inspectors, these men worked as inspectors before,

　　evidence – witnesses tell the court what they know

　　upset – they cried

　　ventilation system brings in fresh air

　　methane – CH4