Bunnings has been urged to pull engineered stone bench top products from its shelves over concerns about the presence of silica and corresponding health issues.
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)‘s boss Zach Smith has penned a letter to Bunnings managing director Michael Schneider, detailing his concerns.
CFMEU members working in factories that cut engineered stone are at high risk of developing silicosis, Smith said.
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But this cutting is not restricted to factories, he said. On construction sites, stone is often trimmed to fit.
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“More pertinently for you and your customers, this cutting can often happen during home renovations,” Smith said.
“Silicosis is a brutal disease and there is no safe level of silica inhalation.
“I am disappointed that, despite all this information being in the public sphere, Bunnings is still advertising and selling high-silica engineered stone product in your stores nationwide.”
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) boss Zach Smith. Credit: AAP
Removing engineered stone benchtop products from Bunnings shelves would send a “powerful message”, Smith said.
“More importantly, you would save lives,” he said.
“Conversely, it is unconscionable for Bunnings to continue promoting and selling this killer product when there is no need to do so.
“There are many, many alternatives to engineered stone as a benchtop material.
“The business costs of removing these products are insignificant when we are faced with the prospect of more deaths.”
Ban plan underway
In February, it was announced the work safety watchdog is set to investigate a national ban on engineered stone to protect workers from an asbestos-style disaster after securing unanimous support from states and territories.
Workplace health and safety ministers from all states and territories met to back the proposal for Safe Work Australia to examine what types of silica products a ban would cover and how it would be enforced nationally.
Products with high levels of silica, commonly used in kitchen benchtops, have been linked to incurable lung disease and cancer.
An estimated 600,000 workers have been exposed to silica dust generated through mining, construction, building, and manufacturing.
A Curtin University study estimated that 100,000 people will develop silicosis, with 10,000 workers expected to develop lung cancer from dust exposure.
CFMEU has warned if its July 2024 deadline for a ban is not met, it will implement it internally.
Bunnings responds
Bunnings has responded publicly to the letter, saying they take safety “really seriously”.
Most benchtops sold at Bunnings stores are laminate or timber, but all engineered stone benchtops are pre-cut to size before customers receive them, Bunnings director of merchandise Jen Tucker said.
They are supplied and installed by a specialist provider, who must hold an engineered stone licence.
This provider “applies strict safety standards to protect production and installation teams in line with the requirements of their licence”, Tucker said.
“The safety of our team and customers is something we take really seriously, and we will continue to monitor and follow advice from the regulatory authorities on this matter.
“We know that safety is a concern for the industry more broadly, and something that the federal government is currently reviewing.
“We are supportive of new legislation as well as the introduction of consistent standards and licensing across states and territories.”
7NEWS understands Smith also received a private reply to his letter from Bunnings.
-With AAP
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