EXCLUSIVE
A woman whose stonemason husband is dying of a terminal illness has paid Bunnings a backhanded compliment after the department store chain ‘finally’ banned a highly toxic material from its stores.
Cristale Harrison’s husband Ben, 34, was diagnosed with the dust disease silicosis in 2019 and the Tasmanian couple have since been calling for a ban on man-made stone in Australia – with Bunnings specifically accused of ‘profiting from death’.
Man-made or artificial stone is becoming increasingly popular in Australian kitchens, but has been linked to silicosis due to its high silica content.
Tradies inhale the silica dust during the cutting process and it becomes trapped in the lungs, where it can cause fatal cases of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Safe Work Australia recently approved a national ban on the popular product and Bunnings ‘proactively’ followed suit, announcing this week that it would no longer stock products containing the stone from December 31.
Newlyweds Cristale and Ben Harrison have praised Bunnings for announcing a ban on man-made stone from December 31
Mr Harrison was diagnosed with silicosis the day before his 30th birthday after inhaling silica dust while cutting silicone-based kitchen worktops
In a statement to Ny Breaking Australia, Ms Harrison praised the hardware giant for “ultimately doing the right thing”.
Ms Harrison said Bunnings’ decision to stop selling man-made stone would have “excellent” results as it would “cost traders and their families their health”.
“Thank you Bunnings for feeling the pressure and ultimately doing the right thing and taking these highly toxic, deadly countertops off the shelves,” she said.
The mother and father of three finally tied the knot on October 14, after years of delays due to Mr Harrison’s diagnosis. They continue to lobby for action against man-made stone and, along with the CFMEU, are pushing for a federal ban.
“To our Australian government, which is delaying the process, this is a reminder that you are costing traders and women and their families their health as you delay,” Ms Harrison said.
‘We will not and will not stop pushing until Australia becomes the first country in the world to ban artificial stone.
‘We need an import ban on the use of artificial stone products, and ensure that there is nationally consistent legislation for the monitoring and health surveillance of workers exposed to silica dust in all affected industries.
“Please look at the evidence and do the right thing and save generations of traffickers and women and their families, and care for the people who have fallen victim to silicosis so far.”
IKEA Australia CEO Mirja Viinanen told Ny Breaking Australia on Wednesday that it too will follow Bunnings’ lead and begin phasing out products containing man-made stone.
‘IKEA Australia will begin the process of phasing out artificial stone products from our local range ahead of government action. Natural stone worktops are only part of the IKEA range and there are many alternative materials available,” says Viinanen.
“We have been monitoring the issue, including Safe Work Australia’s recent analysis and recommendation on the risks associated with artificial stone products.
‘We strongly support a nationally aligned approach from governments to provide clarity and ensure coordinated action across the country.’
On Tuesday, Bunnings refuted the CMFEU’s claim that its pressure campaign had forced the hardware store to ban the deadly stone.
CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith claimed that ‘the only reason Bunnings ultimately sided with employee health was because of pressure from CFMEU members’, but Bunnings Merchandise Director Jen Tucker said the CMFEU had been harmful rather than helpful in making the decision.
“The safety of our team and our customers is our utmost priority and that is why the aggressive behavior shown by some CFMEU protesters towards some of our team in a Victorian store this weekend was deeply disappointing,” Ms Tucker said.
‘Our decision to stop selling artificial stone was in direct response to the reports released and the prospect of a ban on sales in the near future.’
After years of delays caused by Mr Harrison’s diagnosis, the couple finally tied the knot on October 14, while campaigning against man-made stone with the Lung Foundation.
Mr Harrison worked as a stonemason on the Gold Coast for ten years before developing silicosis. He had fought for Bunnings to ban the product, claiming it ‘profited from death’.
The majority of worktops sold in Bunnings are laminate and wood, and no man-made stone worktops were sold to DIY customers who wanted to cut them themselves.
Safe Work Australia released its regulatory impact statement in August, backing controversial traditions calling for a ban on man-made stone.
The organization wrote that stonemasons are at greater risk of developing silicosis in their work and that their sector has a history of non-compliance with imposing a cap on the silica content in their products.
“Currently, an unknown number of Australian workers will develop silicosis due to their previous exposure to RCS from working with artificial stone,” it wrote.
“The only way to ensure that a new generation of Australian workers do not contract silicosis from such work is to ban its use, regardless of its silica content.”
Mr. Harrison’s condition leaves him constantly fatigued and requires visits to the doctor one to three times a week
Cells from the lungs of a patient with silicosis. Notice that the speck of silica dust shines brightly
Ms Harrison had previously said the hardware giant was ‘profiting from death’ by continuing to sell products such as kitchen worktops that contain man-made stone
Silica has been called the ‘asbestos of our generation’ and its ban has been the subject of public debate for years.
Caesarstone, a major manufacturer of man-made stone, recently launched its own public awareness campaign with the Australian Engineered Stone Advisory Group.
The coalition has claimed that a ban on artificial stone will not make stonemasons safer at work and has instead adopted a ‘complete silica safety plan’.
The Harrisons are now going through the compensation process to reach a settlement from stone companies that have profited from those affected by silicosis, while at the same time trying to raise awareness of its dangers.
“Anyone affected must be cared for with treatment, investigation, legal advice and compensation,” Ms Harrison said.