The year before, 34 people died mining, which was a record low for the US.
The US had its worst ever coal mining accident in 1907, when 362 people died after a coal mine exploded in Monongah, West Virginia. That year, 3,242 people died in coal mining accidents. Coal mines have continued to have fires and explosions, killing hundreds of miners over the years.
Burton said he would like to believe mines have gotten safer, but during times of economic hardship mines often started making cutbacks, which could be dangerous.
He had his own scare in August 2005, when he was in a mine with a good friend and the roof buried them. They were injured but they survived. Despite the danger, he said he was always going to continue working.
"To me, at that time, there was no question. I was going back in. I don't like to say it's part of the job, but you understand the inherent nature of the beast when you go underground. Most guys hopefully understand things happen, that you're still dealing with mother nature underground. If you do something she don't like she's gonna let you know about it."