• Cave-ins and Rock Falls - Unstable ground or rock formations can collapse, leading to injuries or fatalities, especially in underground mines.
• Explosions - The use of explosives in mining operations can trigger accidental blasts, while the buildup of gases like methane can also lead to explosions.
• Dust Exposure - Exposure to airborne dust, including silica dust, can cause respiratory diseases like pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and other chronic lung conditions.
• Machinery Hazards - Workers face risks from heavy machinery, such as crushers, conveyors, and drilling rigs, which can cause crushing, entanglement, or impact injuries.
• Chemical Exposure - Handling chemicals like cyanide, sulfuric acid, or solvents used in mineral processing can pose significant health risks, including skin burns and respiratory issues.
• Noise - High levels of noise from mining equipment and drilling can lead to hearing loss or damage if workers aren’t properly protected.
• Confined Space Risks - Many mining operations involve confined spaces that limit access and increase the risk of asphyxiation or entrapment.
• Temperature Extremes - Extreme heat or cold in surface mining can cause either heat stress or hypothermia, respectively.
• Fall Hazards - Workers are at risk of falling from high surfaces, such as excavators, platforms, or steep mine slopes.
• Electric Shock - Contact with electrical systems or faulty equipment can result in electrocution, particularly in wet or humid mining environments.

MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) Regulations
Establishes and enforces a wide range of safety and health standards for the mining industry in the USA, to ensure worker protection. These standards cover numerous aspects of mine operations, including mine design, equipment, ventilation, environmental conditions, and worker protection.

30 CFR Part 56-77 for Surface and Underground Mining 

• Head Protection (Helmets and Hard Hats): Part 56.15001 (Surface Mines) and Part 57.15001 (Underground Mines) requires protective headgear at all times
• Foot Protection (Safety Footwear): Part 56.15003 requires suitable protective footwear when in or around an area of a mine or plant
• Eye and Face Protection: Part 56.15004 and Part 57.15004 requires safety goggles or face shields when in or around an area of a mine or plant; Part 56.15014 and Part 57.15014 requires protection when operating grinding wheels
• Respiratory Protection (Masks and Respirators): Part 56.5005 and Part 57.5005 requires NIOSH-approved respiratory protection
• Hearing Protection: Part 62 requires hearing protection for working environments with noise levels that exceed 85 decibels over an 8-hour workday
• Protective Clothing: Part 56.15006-15007 for chemical-resistant clothing when working around hazards and irritants, and Part 57.15006-15007 for clothing when welding, cutting or working with molten metal
• Safety Belts and Lines: Part 56.15005 and Part 57.15005 ensuring proper fall protection measures in surface and underground mining environments
• Hand Protection: Part 77.1710 for injuries from cuts, abrasions, punctures, chemicals, thermals burns or harmful temperature extremes 

ANSI/ISEA Standards

• ANSI/ISEA Z89.1: Head Protection: This standard applies to hard hats used in mining to protect workers from impact, electrical hazards, and falling objects.
• ANSI/ISEA Z87.1: Eye and Face Protection: Defines the performance and testing criteria for goggles, face shields, and safety glasses.
• ANSI/ISEA 105: Hand Protection: Specifies glove materials and design for protection against abrasions, cuts, heat, and chemicals.
• ANSI/ISEA 107: High-Visibility Safety Apparel: Outlines standards for reflective clothing worn to ensure workers are visible, especially in low-light or high-risk areas.

ASTM F2413: is the standard specification set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for safety footwear. It outlines the performance, testing, and requirements for protective footwear designed to safeguard against specific hazards encountered in various industries.

NFPA 2112: is a standard developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for flame-resistant (FR) clothing worn by workers exposed to flash fire hazards.