Qld miners stop work over 'black lung'

Queensland miners have been walking off the job over the resurgence of black lung disease in the coal industry, the CFMEU says.

Queensland miners have been walking off the job over the resurgence of black lung disease 30 years after it was supposedly eradicated, the CFMEU says.

The mining union says the return of the disease, caused by long-term exposure to coal dust in areas with poor ventilation, has sent shock waves through the coal industry.

"Workers will walk off mines today for their own health," CFMEU Queensland District President Steve Smyth said.

"Right now we don't know how far this disease has spread and continuing to work in conditions that cause black lung will put more people's lives at risk."