Silicosis- The Unknown disease on the rise

Is silicosis on the rise and could it be the unknown disease be affecting many working people without knowing about it?

We explore recent developments about how this silent killer may be claiming more victims – with younger workers suffering life changing effects.

Read about how Corries are looking to help victims of this terrible lung disease. Call us FREE on 0800 083 7839.

Silicosis – what is it?

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by exposure to free respirable crystalline silica or RCS as it is known.

Exposure to dusts over a long period can cause fibrosis (hardening or scarring) of the lung tissue. This can cause a loss of lung function. Silicosis sufferers are likely to have severe shortness of breath and may find it difficult or impossible to walk even short distances or upstairs.

The effect continues to develop after exposure has stopped. It is irreversible. Sufferers often become house- or bed-bound and often die prematurely due to heart failure.

Chronic silicosis may either be simple – where there are numerous small round opacities – or “progressive massive fibrosis”. This is characterised by nodular lung scarring, 1cm or greater in diameter.

Acute silicosis is a rare complication of short-term exposure to very large amounts of silica. This condition is life-threatening and associated with very significant clinical consequences.

Silica may also be linked to lung cancer. Medical experts link a doubled increase in lung cancer with silica dust exposure.

Read our silicosis page here https://www.corries.co.uk/work-accidents/silicosis-workplace-claims/

The Health & safety executive page on the condition is here https://www.hse.gov.uk/lung-disease/silicosis.htm

Why is this in the news now?

The disease silicosis has been round for hundreds of years. Workers in mines and in tunnelling have been cutting into silica based strata for many years.

Silicosis is one of a number of dust diseases of the lungs called pneumoconiosis. Many people associate this word with coal mining.

There have been laws to reduce the amount of dust in the workplace since 1901 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 placed more duties on employers to protect staff.

The COSHH regulations brought in during 2022 meant very strict rules for controlling dust and making sure dust prevention is much stricter. The use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is mandatory.

Heath & Safety Executive studies in 2009 showed that measures for cutting and grinding dust was still too high in some industries. The enforcement and proper use of RPE was noted to be inadequate in some industries then.

A series of recent cases have caused Liz Jarvis MP to raise the Silicosis Prevention, Awareness and Worker Protection Bill. It is unlikely to be put into law at this time but there are other M.P’s prepared to look into it.

There is a desire to improve silicosis prevention, monitoring of workers and awareness of the disease.

There is to be a silicosis awareness campaign in June 2026 and Corries shall be supporting it.

Recent developments in silicosis

There has been an increase in the number of claims being seen in other countries due to silicosis. In particular a growing trend amongst those who work with mixed or natural silica based worktops is rising. Much work is being done on this in Australia and the UK.

We have consulted with medical and occupational experts about this. Our shared and firm belief is that many more victims are out there. We aim to help as many as we can.

How much silica do I need to be exposed to?

In asbestos disease claims medical experts have developed medical criteria that solicitors must follow to prove a claim. For silica cases no such rules apply.

However, a victim must be able to show either short term very high levels of great silica exposure over 1-2 years or longer periods of regular exposure to silica for ten years. The usual professions which involve this exposure are:

• stonemasons and bricklayers
• other construction related occupations
• Marie mining and quarrying
• foundry related occupations
• workers with engineered stone surfaces such as kitchen or bathroom worktops

What do I need to prove?

In the first instance we suggest writing out how and when you could have been exposed to silica dust in whatever form. You may remember particularly dusty work and longer projects. Work in workshops and if they have protection measures may stick in the mind.

The products that you used and the trade names will be very helpful.

Details about masks and other protection will be needed to help us see if we can prove a claim. If you can remember what safety measures were in place this would help as well.

We would also need to know if you were employed or sub contracted as we would need to find someone to sue for the claim.

Getting a diagnosis of silicosis

There is often confusion about whether a person has silicosis or some other condition. Conditions such as COPD and asthma can often be confused with conditions like silicosis. Just because you have been given an inhaler does not mean you have silicosis.

In the first instance the best advice is to get a chest x ray. If that brings up any concerns then we recommend that you get a CT scan. This is a far better tool for establishing if silicosis is present.

If you have had a significant dose of silica and think there is more to it then ask to be seen by a doctor with any expertise in work dust diseases. If this needs to be out of your immediate area then we recommend you do so.

Many documents will prescribe anti biotics and inhalers which may have limited effect.

The doctors will assess your radiology, your lung function tests and clinical signs. Even then confusion can arise with diagnoses of asthma, COPD or other conditions being made.

What we can do for you

If you have a potential claim for compensation then we would look to go through your medical records and the x rays and scans taken during your life. We have access to medical experts who can review your medical and work background. Corries experienced solicitors can help distil your case to see if it can stand up. Many cases may fail due to a lack of diagnosis of silicosis.

We may be able to signpost you to other treatment or advice if your diagnosis becomes clearer.

We can hep direct you to claims for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). We can also look at other benefits if you need help with daily care needs.

Silicosis claims – Summary

There is no doubt that there are silicosis victims suffering in the UK. Many will walk about not knowing that the early stages of the disease are happening to them now.

At Corries our aim is to help you get the compensation you deserve. Our team can get the best experts and barristers to help you fight your case and give you a better future.

if you think we can help then call us. It is FREE and there is no obligation. if we cannot help you we shall tell you. If we can help you then we will fight your case with you.

Call us now on FREEPHONE 0800 083 7839.