The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 was the amendment to the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969. It is found in the United States Code under Title 30, Chapter 22. Its main provisions are:
- Combines coal, metal and non-metal mines into a single legislation
- Creates separate health and safety standards for coal mining specifically
- Transfers enforcement from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Labor
- Renames the Mine Enforcement Safety Administration as Mine Safety and Health Administration
- Sets a standard of four annual inspections of underground coal mines
- Sets a standard of two annual inspections of surface mines
- Eliminates advisory standards for metal and non-metal mines
- Discontinues state enforcement plans
- Mandates miner training
- Sets a standard that requires all underground mines have a rescue team ready
- Requires that all miners become more actively involved in health and safety activities