manœuvre de surface

CONT: Dans les bassins houillers, le choix du métier de mineur relevait d'une sorte de tradition familiale. [...] On ne se bousculait guère pour les ateliers; encore moins pour être manœuvre de surface. Ces emplois étaient réservés aux véritables artisans, ou à des hommes affaiblis qui voulaient continuer à travailler, en acceptant des salaires fortement réduits.

CONT: ... the majority of surface workers were not craftsmen or men in important positions. They were general surface labourers, many of whom were ex-colliers who through injury or old age were no longer fit enough to work below ground.
CONT: In practice the division covers a wide range of work in the coal mining industry including production, surface labourers and maintenance/trades employees in underground mines, washery operators, truck drivers, tradespeople and labourers in open cut mines and labourers at coal loaders.