Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government.

1966 – Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act passed

Lapse in Appropriations

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE).  This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025.  Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.

The Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-577) set up procedures for developing safety and health standards for metal and nonmetal mines. Standards could be advisory or mandatory. One annual inspection was required for underground mines, and Federal inspectors were given the authority to issue notices of violation and orders of withdrawal. Education and training programs were also expanded.