The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-173), generally referred to as the Coal Act, was the most comprehensive and stringent Federal legislation governing the mining industry to date.
Key components of the Coal Act include:
- Four annual inspections required at all underground coal mines
- Two annual inspections required at all surface coal mine
- Mandatory fines for all violations
- Criminal penalties for knowing and willful violations
- Individual State enforcement plans discontinued
- Safety standards for all coal mines strengthened and health standards adopted
- Specific procedures created for developing improved mandatory safety and health standards
- Training grant program instituted
- Miners given the right to request a Federal inspection
- Miners disabled by black lung disease provided benefits
To learn more about the history and contents of the 1969 Coal Act, please see House Report No. 91-563 and Conference Report No. 91-761.
History Categories