Hundreds of union workers have staged protests outside Bunnings stores across the country to demand the hardware giant stop selling a popular kitchen worktop that has been linked to an incurable disease.
Members of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) gathered in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, ACT, WA and SA on Saturday to urge the company to stop selling of stone kitchen worktops.
Dozens of union members stood outside Bunnings stores, waving signs and handing out leaflets as part of the action. Stop this Killer Stone campaign.
Union members (pictured) have staged protests outside Bunnings stores across Australia, demanding the retailer stop selling stone worktops
The union represents tradesmen, including stonemasons, and says they want their members to be protected from the dangers of silicosis.
He designed worktops, which have become fashionable in Australian kitchens and bathrooms, and contain a high concentration of crystalline silica.
Working with artificial stone can expose workers to the risk of potentially fatal silicosis and other related diseases. Silicosis is incurable and is caused by inhaling small particles of silica dust.
“Bunnings customers deserve to know they are benefiting from great stone worktops,” said CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith.
“Our members today educated Bunnings customers so that as many people as possible are aware of the facts about artificial stone and the alternatives that don’t kill workers.”
Protesters (pictured) urged the major hardware retailer to consider the impact on workers, such as tradies, who could develop lung cancer as a result of exposure to the deadly silica dust.
“Bunnings will immediately stop selling killerstone if it really cares about the lives of Australian workers,” the union boss added.
Federal and state ministers are currently considering a Safe Work Australia report on a possible ban on high concentration crystalline silica plates.
Models released by Curtin University earlier this year predict more than 10,000 Australians will develop lung cancer and up to 103,000 workers will be diagnosed with silicosis as a result of exposure to silica dust during their lifetime.
The union said it wanted to ban the use of artificial stone and that if its demand is not met by the middle of next year, it will ban its members from working with the material.
Bunnings has been contacted for comment.
Members held signs (pictured) outside Bunnings stores calling for a ban on workbenches containing high levels of crystalline silica
Formerly Jen Tucker, merchandise director at Bunnings said the hardware giant was aware of the concerns and it would continue to ‘monitor and follow the advice of regulatory authorities’.
“Most of the countertops we sell in store are laminate or wood,” she said.
‘However, the stone worktops we supply are pre-cut to size before arriving at the customer and are supplied and installed by a specialist supplier who holds a stone license and applies strict safety standards to keep the production and installation teams in line to protect. with the requirements of their permit.