Abstract Mining safety is recognized as one of the factors influencing the mining industry's long-term viability. Therefore we did a bibliometric analysis to take stock of safety management in the coal mining industry. This study suggests a three-step strategy, comprising literature extraction and screening, bibliometric analysis, and discussion, to provide an in-depth understanding of the present state and development trend of mine safety research. The discovery raises concerns. (i) Coal dust pollution has a direct and indirect impact on the environment. (ii) Most research projects have prioritized technology innovation and development over safety norms. (iii) Most works have come from advanced countries such as China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Australia to the neglect of developing nations, leaving a significant vacuum in the literature. (iv) There are more major safety principles in the food business than in the mining industry, indicating a weak safety culture in the mining industry. Additionally, future research goals are provided, such as creating safer policy guidelines to support technological advancements, constructing effective safety mines, and creating solutions to dust pollution and human errors.