Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider says state and federal governments have embraced its move to stop selling the deadly material.
IKEA has followed Bunnings’ decision to stop selling engineered stone,with its Australian chief executive announcing it will phase out the harmful product ahead of a potential national ban on its use.
The decision is a win for unions and health experts campaigning for a ban on the silicosis-causing material.
Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis says harmful silica-engineered stone could be outlawed in NSW if a federal ban is delayed beyond the end of the year.
Major manufacturer Caesarstone has hired Labor lobbying firm Hawker Britton to help fight a potential ban on the use of deadly silica in kitchen benchtops.
A powerful union leader has accused the federal government of betraying tradies after Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke warned banning the importation of toxic engineered stone would greenlight its production in Australia.
With the danger of silicosis hovering over workers,any further delay from federal and state governments in implementing the ban is unconscionable.
Dean Morris used to compete in Ninja Warrior events;now he has an incurable lung disease. He says if governments won’t ban engineered stone now,more tradies will die.
Leaked extracts from Safe Work Australia’s investigation into engineered stone recommend a complete ban.
In an era when workplace health and safety is as Australian as Vegemite it is passing strange how some industries still harbour a death wish for their workers.
Premier Chris Minns has indicated he will outlaw the deadly building product if a nationwide agreement cannot be reached.