The Senate on Wednesday confirmed David Zatezalo, President Trump’s choice to run the Mine Safety and Health Administration, despite the former coal executive’s record of clashing with government regulators over safety violations at his companies.

The Senate voted 52 to 46 – along party lines – to confirm Zatezalo, a West Virginia native, to run the federal agency that oversees safety in the country’s mines, including coal, metal and other materials.

Zatezalo retired in 2014 as the head of Rhino Resources, which came under scrutiny by federal regulators for safety violations at his mines.

At his confirmation hearing, Zatezalo, who has worked in the coal industry for 40 years, said he wasn’t proud of Rhino’s safety record.

“I did not try to lawyer up and stop anything from happening. I felt if you haven’t done your job we should be big kids and deal with it as such,” he said last month.

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, opposed Zatezalo’s nomination.

“After reviewing his qualifications and record of safety during his time in the coal industry, I am not convinced that Mr. Zatezalo is suited to oversee the federal agency that implements and enforces mine safety laws and standards,” he said in a statement in September.

With Post wires​