Background Working in the mines particularly in underground mines is one of the hard and harmful jobs due to occurring different accidents and diseases. The aim of this study was application of job analysis and William Fine to identify and control hazards in a uranium mine.

Methods The risk assessment was conducted using job safety analysis in 22 jobs with high accident frequency and severity rates. Data were collected for analysis using observation and interview methods and frequency of job risks was identified. William Fine method was used to evaluate health risks, make decision, and prioritise corrective measures for the hazards.

Results 182 risks were identified as a result of job safety analysis. The most probable risks were identified as radiation exposure and rock falls with respective relative frequency of 42 and 18%. According to the results of William Fine, oxygen deficiency, radon gas inhalation, exposure to ionising radiation, and serving activities had the highest level of risk with respective scores of 3600, 3000, 3000, and 3000. Carpentry operations and compressor operator had the lowest level of risk score of 60 and 180, respectively.

Conclusion Radiation is the major risk in uranium mining operations. Therefore, the basic control measures including using the wet mountain cutting method (to prevent from radioactive dust dispersion), ventilation of radon gas in the tunnel, monitoring the gases after blasting process, personnel training, and the risk assessment routinely should be done for all the mining operations.