Are there age limits on people working at a mine site? Or, know before you go.

Are there age limits on people working at a mine site?  Or, know before you go.

So you operate a mine.  You are always seeking good employees.  Mining is hard work and finding enthusiastic employees is a challenge. You are approached by a motivated young person (age 17) who impresses you and you feel this person would be a good fit for your operations.  You look up the Mine Safety Health Act (MSHA) and see no age limits.  Yahoo, you can move forward with adding this new, young person to your crew.

Well, maybe not.  MSHA may not have an age limit however, there is a federal law that says no person under the age of 18 can work at a mine.  The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 classifies certain occupations as being hazardous and that such classification is subject to a threshold age of 18 years.

So, no person can work at a mine site who is under the age of 18.  Moral of the story, know before you go.