Bunnings lead to controversy: Store faces backlash over safety measures amidst lead poisoning claims
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When it comes to the safety of products and the well-being of both workers and customers, there's no room for compromise.
This is a sentiment that Bunnings, Australia's leading hardware store, knows all too well. Recently, the retail giant found itself at the centre of a controversy involving the sale of lead sheeting, which sparked concerns over potential lead poisoning.
The situation unfolded at the Bunnings Woodville store in Metropolitan Adelaide and has since led to a nationwide response.
Lead, as many of our readers would know, is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious health issues, including neurological damage.
It's not something to be taken lightly, especially for those who have been around long enough to remember when lead was a common ingredient in household paints and petrol.
The risks associated with lead exposure are well-documented, and it's no surprise that the news of potential lead poisoning at a popular store like Bunnings would cause alarm.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) raised the alarm after some of its members allegedly purchased rolls of lead sheeting that have been ‘sitting on shelving, in a Bunnings aisle, with no safety precautions’.
The union's concerns were not unfounded, as lead level testing results released by the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of South Australia (CEPU SA) in June showed readings of 59,000 micrograms per 100cm² on the shelf with visible dust present and 3,300 micrograms per 100cm² on the floor.
The test revealed a lead level of 6.8 micrograms per 100cm² throughout the entire store.
‘We call on Bunnings to ensure they put the public first and take all steps necessary to protect the community from lead exposure from lead products sold in their stores,’ CEPU SA Secretary John Adley stated.
In response to these alarming claims, Bunnings was quick to defend its practices, stating that customer and team safety is paramount.
Through a spokesperson, the company disputed the union's claims of safety risks and assured that it had taken steps to ensure the product was safe.
SafeWork SA, the government body responsible for workplace safety, also weighed in, confirming that it was satisfied with the handling of the situation.
ETU National Secretary Michael Wright cautioned that there is ‘no cure’ for lead poisoning.
‘We need better protections against the deadly effects of lead in workplaces,’ he explained.
‘It is an utter disgrace that this is even an issue.’
‘The ETU stands with the workers currently affected and calls, in no uncertain terms, for lead exposure risk to be removed from all workplaces, for all workers and communities,’ Mr Wright added.
According to the Bunnings spokesperson, there was ‘nothing more important to us than team and customer safety, including the products we sell’.
‘The SDA (the union for retail, fast food and warehouse workers) recently raised a concern with us about the sale of lead sheets, mainly used in roof applications,’ they said.
‘In response, we received expert advice that confirmed the way the product is sold poses little risk to customers and team members.’
‘For context, the risk associated with lead building materials typically comes from physically modifying it such as heating, grinding and welding on a job site, rather than handling it in a store,’ the spokesperson continued.
SafeWork SA confirmed that it had inspected a ‘large hardware store’ in South Australia in June and expressed satisfaction with the store's measures to address any potential health hazards.
‘It was brought to SafeWork SA’s attention in June 2024 that a large hardware store in South Australia were supplying lead contained products that were not appropriately packaged to protect workers and customers handling the product,’ a SafeWork spokesman stated.
‘SafeWork SA Inspectors visited the store the day following the notification to ensure appropriate control measures were put in place in line with the work health and safety laws and product manufacturer’s guidelines.’
‘Such products only pose risk of lead contamination, including for workers and customers, if they are handled while unprotected. This can be avoided by appropriate packaging and the wearing of gloves,’ they continued.
‘SafeWork SA conducts audits and compliance checks on businesses across South Australia and will take appropriate action if breaches to the Work Health and Safety Act are identified.’
‘SafeWork SA is satisfied with actions taken by the store in the way it handles and displays lead products and the way the business is taking a uniform approach to its other South Australian stores.’
Bunnings also confirmed that it has collaborated with a supplier to revise the packaging and labelling of both existing and future stock, with these updates being implemented nationwide.
The rollout is expected to be finished within the next few weeks.
In the meantime, the company is keeping current stock in containers at its goods inward bay, making it available upon request.
This health scare comes in the wake of suspected lead poisoning affecting union members who were involved in decommissioning the AGL Torrens Island plant from late 2022 to early 2023.
At AGL Torrens Island, workers removed over 30 tons of high-voltage lead cable without proper safety measures.
According to the union, this led to acute lead toxicity among the workers, resulting in insomnia, abdominal pain, weight loss, memory issues, headaches, and chronic fatigue.
An AGL spokesperson assured everyone that the company would support the affected workers.
‘During decommissioning works of Torrens A Station, sections of redundant electrical cabling were removed,’ the spokesman said.
‘When the hazard associated with handling lead was identified, work was ceased, monitoring of the work area and exposure level assessment was conducted.’
‘Affected workers were, and continue to be, supported by AGL. Our workforce was informed of the incident, have participated in regular information sessions about the risks and controls when working with possible lead-containing substances,’ they added.
‘In response to the incident, AGL has taken several steps and measures, both at Torrens Island and at other AGL sites, to ensure the health and safety of our people.’
‘Developed by an independent certified industrial hygienist, AGL has issued new Safe Work Instruction specific to the hazards associated with handling of lead cables.’
‘AGL reported the incident to SafeWork SA and continues to engage and work with SafeWork SA and the CEPU,’ the spokesman continued.
As Bunnings addresses recent concerns about lead exposure and disputes safety claims, it’s clear that the issue of harmful substances in products is gaining broader attention.
In a related development, a new documentary has highlighted troubling findings about harmful metals present in popular Temu products.
This brings to light the ongoing need for vigilance and scrutiny regarding the safety of products we use daily.
Have you ever encountered a safety concern while shopping for building materials? How did you address it? Let us know in the comments below.
This is a sentiment that Bunnings, Australia's leading hardware store, knows all too well. Recently, the retail giant found itself at the centre of a controversy involving the sale of lead sheeting, which sparked concerns over potential lead poisoning.
The situation unfolded at the Bunnings Woodville store in Metropolitan Adelaide and has since led to a nationwide response.
Lead, as many of our readers would know, is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious health issues, including neurological damage.
It's not something to be taken lightly, especially for those who have been around long enough to remember when lead was a common ingredient in household paints and petrol.
The risks associated with lead exposure are well-documented, and it's no surprise that the news of potential lead poisoning at a popular store like Bunnings would cause alarm.
Bunnings disputed union claims that improperly packaged lead sheeting at their Woodville store in Adelaide posed a lead poisoning risk to workers and shoppers. Credit: Bunnings Australia
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) raised the alarm after some of its members allegedly purchased rolls of lead sheeting that have been ‘sitting on shelving, in a Bunnings aisle, with no safety precautions’.
The union's concerns were not unfounded, as lead level testing results released by the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of South Australia (CEPU SA) in June showed readings of 59,000 micrograms per 100cm² on the shelf with visible dust present and 3,300 micrograms per 100cm² on the floor.
The test revealed a lead level of 6.8 micrograms per 100cm² throughout the entire store.
‘We call on Bunnings to ensure they put the public first and take all steps necessary to protect the community from lead exposure from lead products sold in their stores,’ CEPU SA Secretary John Adley stated.
In response to these alarming claims, Bunnings was quick to defend its practices, stating that customer and team safety is paramount.
Through a spokesperson, the company disputed the union's claims of safety risks and assured that it had taken steps to ensure the product was safe.
SafeWork SA, the government body responsible for workplace safety, also weighed in, confirming that it was satisfied with the handling of the situation.
ETU National Secretary Michael Wright cautioned that there is ‘no cure’ for lead poisoning.
‘We need better protections against the deadly effects of lead in workplaces,’ he explained.
‘It is an utter disgrace that this is even an issue.’
‘The ETU stands with the workers currently affected and calls, in no uncertain terms, for lead exposure risk to be removed from all workplaces, for all workers and communities,’ Mr Wright added.
According to the Bunnings spokesperson, there was ‘nothing more important to us than team and customer safety, including the products we sell’.
‘The SDA (the union for retail, fast food and warehouse workers) recently raised a concern with us about the sale of lead sheets, mainly used in roof applications,’ they said.
‘In response, we received expert advice that confirmed the way the product is sold poses little risk to customers and team members.’
‘For context, the risk associated with lead building materials typically comes from physically modifying it such as heating, grinding and welding on a job site, rather than handling it in a store,’ the spokesperson continued.
SafeWork SA confirmed that it had inspected a ‘large hardware store’ in South Australia in June and expressed satisfaction with the store's measures to address any potential health hazards.
‘It was brought to SafeWork SA’s attention in June 2024 that a large hardware store in South Australia were supplying lead contained products that were not appropriately packaged to protect workers and customers handling the product,’ a SafeWork spokesman stated.
‘SafeWork SA Inspectors visited the store the day following the notification to ensure appropriate control measures were put in place in line with the work health and safety laws and product manufacturer’s guidelines.’
‘Such products only pose risk of lead contamination, including for workers and customers, if they are handled while unprotected. This can be avoided by appropriate packaging and the wearing of gloves,’ they continued.
‘SafeWork SA conducts audits and compliance checks on businesses across South Australia and will take appropriate action if breaches to the Work Health and Safety Act are identified.’
‘SafeWork SA is satisfied with actions taken by the store in the way it handles and displays lead products and the way the business is taking a uniform approach to its other South Australian stores.’
Bunnings also confirmed that it has collaborated with a supplier to revise the packaging and labelling of both existing and future stock, with these updates being implemented nationwide.
The rollout is expected to be finished within the next few weeks.
In the meantime, the company is keeping current stock in containers at its goods inward bay, making it available upon request.
This health scare comes in the wake of suspected lead poisoning affecting union members who were involved in decommissioning the AGL Torrens Island plant from late 2022 to early 2023.
At AGL Torrens Island, workers removed over 30 tons of high-voltage lead cable without proper safety measures.
According to the union, this led to acute lead toxicity among the workers, resulting in insomnia, abdominal pain, weight loss, memory issues, headaches, and chronic fatigue.
An AGL spokesperson assured everyone that the company would support the affected workers.
‘During decommissioning works of Torrens A Station, sections of redundant electrical cabling were removed,’ the spokesman said.
‘When the hazard associated with handling lead was identified, work was ceased, monitoring of the work area and exposure level assessment was conducted.’
‘Affected workers were, and continue to be, supported by AGL. Our workforce was informed of the incident, have participated in regular information sessions about the risks and controls when working with possible lead-containing substances,’ they added.
‘In response to the incident, AGL has taken several steps and measures, both at Torrens Island and at other AGL sites, to ensure the health and safety of our people.’
‘Developed by an independent certified industrial hygienist, AGL has issued new Safe Work Instruction specific to the hazards associated with handling of lead cables.’
‘AGL reported the incident to SafeWork SA and continues to engage and work with SafeWork SA and the CEPU,’ the spokesman continued.
As Bunnings addresses recent concerns about lead exposure and disputes safety claims, it’s clear that the issue of harmful substances in products is gaining broader attention.
In a related development, a new documentary has highlighted troubling findings about harmful metals present in popular Temu products.
This brings to light the ongoing need for vigilance and scrutiny regarding the safety of products we use daily.
