Surface mining might be less risky for surface miners than underground mining as Surface miners work above ground in the open air.
Explanation:
Underground mining is cost effective and consumes more time and energy than surface mining for mining coal from the underground.
Destruction and damages of land surfaces are caused due to underground mining that changes the form and topography of the land.
More possibilities for fatal accidents, flooding from groundwater or sea water, methane gas explosions, failure of air ventilation machines are there in underground mining, compared to Surface mining.
Underground mining requires proper ventilation and insecure to workers than surface mining.