It is rare for any shop management to see dust collection as a priority since it does not have dollar return attached to it like a CNC router, gang saw, etc. would. Dust collection is also the number one cobbled together, DIY, inefficient, half ass machine in the shop. Then, you still have to deal with the dust once collected....
All an employee can do is drop a dime on the owner to the State and Fed safety guys. Be sure you are anonymous, and realize that they typically do not act on anonymous tips as a matter of policy. Or so they say. They get lots of calls from disgruntled employees, on their way out the door.
Insurance people also have a liability here, though very few of them understand it. Again, how you can get them in to test the air....? Local fire department does annual inspections of commercial spaces here, and have helped me see problems I did not think I had with stuff piling up, stacks too close to the ceiling, etc. It feels intrusive to have these guys come in, but it is good to have them on your side.
I wish you luck. Ultimately, if you cannot change them, you would have to change the job.