Abstract: In view of the coal pillar stability and safety problems during the mining period in the underground coal face after adopting the small coal pillar roadway protection technology, taking the 11605 coal face of Helongguan coal industry as the engineering background, by means of mechanical theory analysis and numerical simulation, the stress distribution characteristics and law of surrounding rock of small coal pillar in working face are comprehensively analyzed, the safety and control system of roadway surrounding rock of small coal pillar in working face are analyzed, and the stress and strain changes of surrounding rock of small coal pillar in different mining stages are discussed. The results show that it is suggested to increase the distance (not less than 50 m) and the strength of the lead support in the return air passage of working face to further ensure the stability and safety of the surrounding rock in the lead support section, the stability and safety of coal pillar of 11605 return air gateway can meet the demand of safe and efficient production of working face.