A series of protests have erupted across Australia, with the rallying force behind these demonstrations being the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, and Energy Union (CFMEU).

But why?

CFMEU’s passionate advocacy arises from serious concerns about a popular kitchen benchtop sold by the hardware giant. According to them, the item is linked to an incurable disease known as silicosis.

In a concerted effort, hundreds of union members marched outside stores across the country on a Saturday, urging Bunnings to halt the sale of this product.

This initiative is part of the Stop This Killer Stone campaign, with members outside Bunnings stores brandishing placards and distributing pamphlets.

CFMEU members have staged protests at Bunnings stores nationwide, demanding the retailer stop selling engineered stone benchtops. Image source: Facebook (@cfmeuvic)

The union's goal is to highlight the product's potential hazards, ensuring the safety of both workers and consumers.

Specifically advocating for trades, including stone masons, the focus is on protecting members from the dangers associated with silicosis.

The engineered benchtops, increasingly popular in Australian kitchens and bathrooms, were found to contain a high concentration of crystalline silica.

Working with such materials exposes workers to the risk of silicosis and other related diseases.

Silicosis is an incurable condition caused by inhaling tiny particles of silica dust, presenting a serious health hazard for those in the industry.

‘Bunnings customers deserve to know it is profiting from killer stone benchtops,’ said CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith.

‘Our members have today been educating Bunnings customers so as many people as possible have the facts about engineered stone and the alternatives that don't kill workers.’

‘Bunnings will stop selling Killer Stone immediately if it really cares about Australian workers’ lives,’ added the union boss.

Federal and state ministers are reviewing a Safe Work Australia report that proposes a potential ban on high-concentration crystalline silica slabs.

Curtin University’s earlier modelling predicted that more than 10,000 Australians would develop lung cancer and up to 103,000 workers would be diagnosed with silicosis due to silica dust exposure.

The union calls for a ban on engineered stone, threatening to bar its members from working with the material if demands aren't met by mid-next year.

Bunnings has yet to comment on the issue.

Watch CFMEU’s Bunnings protests through these video clips. Video source: Facebook (@CFMEU)​

This issue was previously acknowledged by Bunnings’ Director of Merchandise Jen Tucker, who said the retailer would ‘monitor and follow advice from the regulatory authorities’.

‘Most of the benchtops we sell in store are laminate or timber,’ she said.

‘However, the engineered stone benchtops we provide are pre-cut to size before they arrive at a customer's site and are supplied and installed by a specialist provider that holds an engineered stone licence and applies strict safety standards to protect production and installation teams in line with the requirements of their licence,’ she added.

Key Takeaways

• Hundreds of union workers have staged protests outside Bunnings stores across Australia, demanding the retailer stop selling engineered stone kitchen benchtops linked to an incurable disease, silicosis.
• The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) ran the Stop This Killer Stone campaign as part of their efforts to protect their members from the health risks associated with exposure to crystalline silica found in these benchtops.
• Federal and state ministers are considering a Safe Work Australia report about a potential ban on high-concentration crystalline silica slabs.
• Bunnings has stated its engineered stone benchtops are pre-cut to size before they arrive at a customer’s site and are supplied and installed by a specialist provider that holds an engineered stone licence and applies strict safety standards.

Members, share your thoughts on this issue in the comments below!

 

[stillyoung]

There's nothing dangerous about this product if it's cut with a wet saw.

 

[Teddy is my boy]

There's nothing dangerous about this product if it's cut with a wet saw.

I agree, l have just had my bench tops replaced and with the correct equipment including the right mask the men said there isn’t a problem

 

[mylittletibbies]

Yes if the correct procedures are carried out there is no problem.
This is not a product for DIYers

 

[oilsfromoz]

The CFMEU should be insisting for its members to observe all the safety guidelines instead of employing this usual Union bullying tactic.

 

[Macarj]

There's nothing dangerous about this product if it's cut with a wet saw.

I would assume you would also wear a dust mask

 

[stillyoung]

I would assume you would also wear a dust mask

No need for a dust mask if there's no dust in the air. Wet cutting turns the dust to a slurry, hence no airborne particulates to inhale. It's the only way to cut this material. Obviously safety glasses and ear muffs are essential.

 

[IAN3005]

There's nothing dangerous about this product if it's cut with a wet saw.

And wearing protective gear... give a break

 

[IAN3005]

These people must have nothing else to do but bitch!!!!

 

[Ronloby]

As long as full safety procedures are followed there should not be a problem. It is the same with a lot of building materials. "FOLLOW SAFETY DIRECTIONS."

 

[Veggiepatch]

So are the benchtops cut to size at the manufacturer's site or at Bunnings itself? If Bunnings is responsible then the CFMEU is justified for its actions, if not, piss off.

The basic rule of thumb is the smaller the particle size of silica, the greater risk of silicosis. The length of exposure is also a factor. Particles of size range from 0.2 to 0.5 micron are 50% more likely to cause silicosis than coarser particles. N95 respirators and masks are capable of screening up to 95% of particles in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 microns.

So the blatantly obvious course of action is to supply Bunnings employees with adequate respirators and masks for those in ANY environment where dust of any kind is evident. How simple can it get?

 

[Shane/#]

A series of protests have erupted across Australia, with the rallying force behind these demonstrations being the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, and Energy Union (CFMEU).

But why?

CFMEU’s passionate advocacy arises from serious concerns about a popular kitchen benchtop sold by the hardware giant. According to them, the item is linked to an incurable disease known as silicosis.

In a concerted effort, hundreds of union members marched outside stores across the country on a Saturday, urging Bunnings to halt the sale of this product.

This initiative is part of the Stop This Killer Stone campaign, with members outside Bunnings stores brandishing placards and distributing pamphlets.

View attachment 32807

CFMEU members have staged protests at Bunnings stores nationwide, demanding the retailer stop selling engineered stone benchtops. Image source: Facebook (@cfmeuvic)

The union's goal is to highlight the product's potential hazards, ensuring the safety of both workers and consumers.

Specifically advocating for trades, including stone masons, the focus is on protecting members from the dangers associated with silicosis.

The engineered benchtops, increasingly popular in Australian kitchens and bathrooms, were found to contain a high concentration of crystalline silica.

Working with such materials exposes workers to the risk of silicosis and other related diseases.

Silicosis is an incurable condition caused by inhaling tiny particles of silica dust, presenting a serious health hazard for those in the industry.

‘Bunnings customers deserve to know it is profiting from killer stone benchtops,’ said CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith.

‘Our members have today been educating Bunnings customers so as many people as possible have the facts about engineered stone and the alternatives that don't kill workers.’

‘Bunnings will stop selling Killer Stone immediately if it really cares about Australian workers’ lives,’ added the union boss.

Federal and state ministers are reviewing a Safe Work Australia report that proposes a potential ban on high-concentration crystalline silica slabs.

Curtin University’s earlier modelling predicted that more than 10,000 Australians would develop lung cancer and up to 103,000 workers would be diagnosed with silicosis due to silica dust exposure.

The union calls for a ban on engineered stone, threatening to bar its members from working with the material if demands aren't met by mid-next year.

Bunnings has yet to comment on the issue.

Watch CFMEU’s Bunnings protests through these video clips. Video source: Facebook (@CFMEU)​

This issue was previously acknowledged by Bunnings’ Director of Merchandise Jen Tucker, who said the retailer would ‘monitor and follow advice from the regulatory authorities’.

‘Most of the benchtops we sell in store are laminate or timber,’ she said.

‘However, the engineered stone benchtops we provide are pre-cut to size before they arrive at a customer's site and are supplied and installed by a specialist provider that holds an engineered stone licence and applies strict safety standards to protect production and installation teams in line with the requirements of their licence,’ she added.

Key Takeaways

• Hundreds of union workers have staged protests outside Bunnings stores across Australia, demanding the retailer stop selling engineered stone kitchen benchtops linked to an incurable disease, silicosis.
• The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) ran the Stop This Killer Stone campaign as part of their efforts to protect their members from the health risks associated with exposure to crystalline silica found in these benchtops.
• Federal and state ministers are considering a Safe Work Australia report about a potential ban on high-concentration crystalline silica slabs.
• Bunnings has stated its engineered stone benchtops are pre-cut to size before they arrive at a customer’s site and are supplied and installed by a specialist provider that holds an engineered stone licence and applies strict safety standards.

Members, share your thoughts on this issue in the comments below!

Asbestos was the fantastic material used widely throughout the world but has killed many over the year's due to inhaling the dust, Now silica dust is the new killer out there with Asbestos so anyone doing reno's be aware of the dangers new and old they are long-term killer's not today but year's into your future stay safe people

 

[mylittletibbies]

So are the benchtops cut to size at the manufacturer's site or at Bunnings itself? If Bunnings is responsible then the CFMEU is justified for its actions, if not, piss off.

The basic rule of thumb is the smaller the particle size of silica, the greater risk of silicosis. The length of exposure is also a factor. Particles of size range from 0.2 to 0.5 micron are 50% more likely to cause silicosis than coarser particles. N95 respirators and masks are capable of screening up to 95% of particles in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 microns.

So the blatantly obvious course of action is to supply Bunnings employees with adequate respirators and masks for those in ANY environment where dust of any kind is evident. How simple can it get?

Bunnings replied previously when this matter was posted.
They replied that it is cut off site by professional personnel with an engineered stone licence and following the appropriate safety regulations. So IMO it's just the Unions stirring up trouble where it is not required.
When we were flipping houses we bought many of these benchtops, and the procedure explained by Bunnings was exactly what happened.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Bunnings replied previously when this matter was posted.
They replied that it is cut off site by professional personnel with an engineered stone licence and following the appropriate safety regulations. So IMO it's just the Unions stirring up trouble where it is not required.
When we were flipping houses we bought many of these benchtops, and the procedure explained by Bunnings was exactly what happened.

Thanks for the insight.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Working in the polymer industry, I was exposed to all kinds of dust and vapours, one of them being Ultrasil VN3, a precipitated silica. No masks or respirators back in those days, just breathe it in. I reckon I snorted in kilos of the stuff. Thankfully its particle size was 125 to 180 microns otherwise I would have been a dead duck years ago.

 

[DrivingGirl]

We had new stone bench tops put in to laundry kitchen and bathrooms as part of a renovation - I remember visiting the site and seeing guys cutting the stuff in the garage with a circular saw, dust everywhere!!
Just irresponsible!!!

 

[stillyoung]

So are the benchtops cut to size at the manufacturer's site or at Bunnings itself? If Bunnings is responsible then the CFMEU is justified for its actions, if not, piss off.

The basic rule of thumb is the smaller the particle size of silica, the greater risk of silicosis. The length of exposure is also a factor. Particles of size range from 0.2 to 0.5 micron are 50% more likely to cause silicosis than coarser particles. N95 respirators and masks are capable of screening up to 95% of particles in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 microns.

So the blatantly obvious course of action is to supply Bunnings employees with adequate respirators and masks for those in ANY environment where dust of any kind is evident. How simple can it get?

There's no way that this material should be cut dry. Even wearing a suitable mask, the dust is still in the environment, whether in be in or outdoors.

 

[Veggiepatch]

We had new stone bench tops put in to laundry kitchen and bathrooms as part of a renovation - I remember visiting the site and seeing guys cutting the stuff in the garage with a circular saw, dust everywhere!!
Just irresponsible!!!

WHAT!! Sorry, I'm just shaking my head...literally!

 

[DrivingGirl]

WHAT!! Sorry, I'm just shaking my head...literally!

Yep!

 

[Leenie]

Asbestos was the fantastic material used widely throughout the world but has killed many over the year's due to inhaling the dust, Now silica dust is the new killer out there with Asbestos so anyone doing reno's be aware of the dangers new and old they are long-term killer's not today but year's into your future stay safe people

As is fibre glass another problem