Washington ? It will never be as safe as a desk job, but lawmakers hope coal mining becomes less risky due to changes they ordered Wednesday.

In a 381-37 vote, the House endorsed a bill that would require mine operators to put more oxygen supplies underground and move rescue teams closer to mines.

The bill, which previously won Senate backing, now goes to President Bush for his signature.

A string of fatal accidents in West Virginia and Kentucky prompted lawmakers to act. In all, 33 coal miners have been killed in the United States so far this year, compared with 22 deaths throughout 2005, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.