Bunnings bows to CFMEU pressure on deadly engineered stone sales

Bunnings will stop selling engineered stone from the end of this year after succumbing to pressure from construction workers. The CFMEU has been urging the hardware giant to pull deadly kitchen bench tops, which contain deadly silica dust, from its product line-up. After the CFMEU’s peaceful protests and community education campaign, Bunnings will stop selling the products from December 31 2023. SafeWork Australia has recommended to federal, state and territory ministers that governments should implement a full ban on the manufacture, import and use of engineered stone. The CFMEU will implement its own ban on members working with engineered stone if governments fail to act. CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith said: “This is the end of the line for engineered stone. “When even a massive corporation that until now has put profits over workers’ lives concedes it’s lost any remaining social licence to sell this killer stone, no government can squib it on a ban. “Bunnings should be congratulated for eventually doing the right thing and pulling these deadly bench tops from their shelves. “The only reason Bunnings finally sided with workers’ health was grassroots pressure from CFMEU members passionate about saving lives. “All retailers must follow suit immediately. IKEA talks a big game on social responsibility yet lines its shelves with bench tops that kill Australians. “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. “The CFMEU won’t rest until the asbestos of our generation is stopped forever.”