Why a community is pleading for the urgent removal of this ‘killer’ Bunnings product
- Replies 15
In a world that’s always focusing on the next bright and shiny thing, there are certain items that might, at first sight, appear innocent; like those popular engineered stone kitchen benchtops…
But, would you believe that these benchtops can be anything but innocent?
Bunnings, the go-to place for pretty much everything under the sun, has fallen under the spotlight due to a range of such high-demand kitchen benchtops.
Unfortunately, they have been connected to a heartbreaking and incurable disease known as silicosis.
A haunting villain lurking in the air we breathe, silicosis is an insidious foe. It's a lung disease caused by inhaling too many tiny particles of silica dust.
This can lead to severe lung damage and even a diagnosis of lung cancer in the long run.
Aussie tradies, with their knack for making things work and adding a dash of charm to the construction world, are falling prey to this disease as these engineered benchtops become more common.
A grim prediction by Curtin University states that up to 103,000 tradies could be diagnosed with silicosis and over 10,000 might develop lung cancer. This was based on their exposure to silica dust at work.
The national construction union, keeping our tradies and their well-being at heart, have taken their pleas directly to the chief executive of Bunnings, Michael Schneider.
They've said that it’s simply ‘unconscionable’ to maintain engineered stone benchtops on Bunnings' inventory.
'If you were to remove this killer product from your shelves, it would send a powerful message,' CFMEU boss Zach Smith passionately wrote in an open letter to Schneider.
‘I am disappointed that, despite all this information being in the public sphere, Bunnings is still advertising and selling high-silica engineered stone products in your stores nationwide,’ he said.
In the video below, Smith also shared his stance in an interview on Sky News Australia:
It’s worth noting that these engineered benchtops aren’t just a time bomb for our tradies, but also for DIY enthusiasts who can easily encounter this product during home renovations—a core group of Bunnings' customer base.
Mr Smith didn’t mince his words when he called for the benchtops to be removed ‘effective immediately’.
'Conversely, it is unconscionable for Bunnings to continue promoting and selling this killer product when there is no need to do so,’ he points out.
‘There are many, many alternatives to engineered stone as a benchtop material. The business costs of removing these products are insignificant when we are faced with the prospect of more deaths.’
We’re fortunate to live in a time where numerous alternatives to engineered stone for a benchtop material are readily available.
Responding to this dire predicament, Bunnings’ director of merchandise, Jen Tucker, confirmed that Bunnings is aware of the concern.
She intends to 'monitor and follow advice from the regulatory authorities’.
‘Most of the benchtops we sell in store are laminate or timber 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 said.
Moreover, Ms Tucker, without directly supporting Mr Smith's plea, said, ‘[The] safety of our team and customers is something we take really seriously.’
She also states that Bunnings is supportive of new legislation and consistent safety standards across all states and territories.
Certainly adds a whole other layer to our home renovation decision-making, doesn't it?
It leaves us all wondering, will this 'killer' Bunnings product be making an exit from shelves soon?
This news serves as a reminder to think twice before leaning towards any engineered stone kitchen benchtops without delving a little deeper into the potential health risks.
What are your thoughts on Bunnings’ controversial stone benchtops? Do you agree that their stone benchtops should be pulled out of their inventory? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
But, would you believe that these benchtops can be anything but innocent?
Unfortunately, they have been connected to a heartbreaking and incurable disease known as silicosis.
Is your home exposed to toxic chemicals found in one of Bunnings’ products? Credit: Shutterstock
A haunting villain lurking in the air we breathe, silicosis is an insidious foe. It's a lung disease caused by inhaling too many tiny particles of silica dust.
This can lead to severe lung damage and even a diagnosis of lung cancer in the long run.
A grim prediction by Curtin University states that up to 103,000 tradies could be diagnosed with silicosis and over 10,000 might develop lung cancer. This was based on their exposure to silica dust at work.
The national construction union, keeping our tradies and their well-being at heart, have taken their pleas directly to the chief executive of Bunnings, Michael Schneider.
They've said that it’s simply ‘unconscionable’ to maintain engineered stone benchtops on Bunnings' inventory.
'If you were to remove this killer product from your shelves, it would send a powerful message,' CFMEU boss Zach Smith passionately wrote in an open letter to Schneider.
‘I am disappointed that, despite all this information being in the public sphere, Bunnings is still advertising and selling high-silica engineered stone products in your stores nationwide,’ he said.
In the video below, Smith also shared his stance in an interview on Sky News Australia:
It’s worth noting that these engineered benchtops aren’t just a time bomb for our tradies, but also for DIY enthusiasts who can easily encounter this product during home renovations—a core group of Bunnings' customer base.
Mr Smith didn’t mince his words when he called for the benchtops to be removed ‘effective immediately’.
Zach Smith urged Bunnings to recall their engineered stone bench tops. Credit: Facebook
'Conversely, it is unconscionable for Bunnings to continue promoting and selling this killer product when there is no need to do so,’ he points out.
‘There are many, many alternatives to engineered stone as a benchtop material. The business costs of removing these products are insignificant when we are faced with the prospect of more deaths.’
Responding to this dire predicament, Bunnings’ director of merchandise, Jen Tucker, confirmed that Bunnings is aware of the concern.
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling too many tiny particles of silica dust. Credit: Shutterstock
She intends to 'monitor and follow advice from the regulatory authorities’.
‘Most of the benchtops we sell in store are laminate or timber 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 said.
Moreover, Ms Tucker, without directly supporting Mr Smith's plea, said, ‘[The] safety of our team and customers is something we take really seriously.’
She also states that Bunnings is supportive of new legislation and consistent safety standards across all states and territories.
Certainly adds a whole other layer to our home renovation decision-making, doesn't it?
It leaves us all wondering, will this 'killer' Bunnings product be making an exit from shelves soon?
This news serves as a reminder to think twice before leaning towards any engineered stone kitchen benchtops without delving a little deeper into the potential health risks.
What are your thoughts on Bunnings’ controversial stone benchtops? Do you agree that their stone benchtops should be pulled out of their inventory? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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