Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of workers that are regularly exposed to silica dust in the workplace.

In November 2023, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published its annual report entitled “Silicosis and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis statistics in Great Britain, 2023”.

In October 2023 HSE published the second Post Implementation Review (PIR) of RIDDOR, with a view to expanding it to include areas where HSE regulatory intervention can add value. Of the five recommendations, work is already underway on the first two, regarding guidance and online reporting.

HSE will start the process of reviewing the remaining recommendations, including the inclusion of Pneumoconiosis (e.g., silicosis), within the next business year.