Is it dangerous to work in a mine?

Mining jobs are consistently included on lists of the most dangerous jobs. An average of 50 to 60 miners die on the job in the United States each year, according to ABC News.

There are a number of hazards associated with mining jobs. Mines can cave in on workers if the mine is too deep, if the walls are not properly supported or as a result of the earth shifting, also known as subsidence. Gas explosions and chemical leakage are other possible hazards on the job. Since mining involves the use of large machinery, collisions and workers getting caught or crushed by the machinery are other dangerous possibilities.