Extract from ABC News
Bunnings has announced it will stop selling engineered stone by the end of the year, amid calls for a total ban on the product by unions and Safe Work Australia.
Key points:
- Retailer Bunnings will remove engineered stone from its shelves by the end of the year
- In October, Safe Work Australia called for a ban on the product
- The material, often used for kitchen benches, has been linked to a rise in silicosis cases in stonemasons
The retail giant will stop stocking its limited range of engineered stone from December 31.
Last month, Safe Work Australia released its report into engineered stone, and concluded a complete ban was the only option.
"Continued work with engineered stone poses an unacceptable risk to workers," the report said.
"The use of all engineered stone should be prohibited."
In a statement, Bunnings director of merchandise Jen Tucker said the decision was made following the report and in consultation with its suppliers.
"While there has been clear indication from NSW and other state governments that they will legislate a ban on the product, we are proactively making this decision to allow suppliers and customers time to prepare for a transition," Ms Tucker said.
"Our decision to stop selling engineered stone was directly in response to the reports released and the prospect of a ban on the sale in the near future."
Ms Tucker said Bunnings was working closely with suppliers about the change.
Union welcomes the move
In a statement, CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith welcomed the decision, which followed union protests outside of Bunnings stores throughout the country.
He said it was "the end of the line for engineered stone".
"Bunnings should be congratulated for eventually doing the right thing and pulling these deadly bench tops from their shelves," Mr Smith said.
The CFMEU has previously said it would implement its own ban on members working with engineered stone if governments failed to make a change.
The union has called on other retailers, including IKEA, to follow suit.
"Today all governments and businesses are on notice that Australians will accept nothing less than a total ban on the import, manufacture and use of engineered stone," Mr Smith said.
IKEA Australia has been contacted by the ABC for comment.
Safe Work report found no 'safe' threshold
Engineered stone has been a staple in many Australian kitchens in the past two decades, seen as an affordable option to granite or marble.
However, when cut, the material releases a fine silica dust, which can harm the lungs when inhaled.
Last month's report said the first Australian case of silicosis linked to engineered stone was diagnosed in 2015, and the number had "risen substantially" since.
"While silicosis cases have been found in workers across a range of industries and silica-containing materials, a disproportionate number of silicosis diagnoses are in engineered stone workers," the report said.
Safe Work Australia was asked to look at possible solutions, but concluded a complete ban was the only option.
"There is no scientific evidence for a 'safe' threshold of crystalline silica content in engineered stone," the report said.
It said regulators had failed to protect engineered stone workers, and found they not only faced a greater risk of developing silicosis, but also saw faster disease progression and a higher chance of death.
At the time, National Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke described the report as "powerful and compelling" and said state and federal governments would meet this year to discuss the next steps.
The minister has been contacted for comment.
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