Ikea has been accused of “hypocrisy” amid calls for the furniture giant to recall a range of kitchen tables due to their links to the deadly disease.
A letter sent to Australia’s chief executive Mirja Viinanen details the country’s construction union’s anger at Ikea for failing to remove engineered stone bench tops from its shelves following a damning Safe Work Australia report.
The report, released by federal and state workplace ministers last week, recommended an outright ban on the product to protect another generation of workers from contracting silicosis.
Silicosis is an incurable disease caused by the inhalation of small particles of silica dust.
Ikea has been called on to recall a range of kitchen worktops due to their links to the deadly disease. Reuters
“There is no shortage of publicly available information about how engineered stone products lead directly to the untimely death of workers,” said CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith.
“It’s hard to see Ikea Australia’s latest sustainability report as anything more than green hypocrisy when Ikea completely ignores the consequences of killer rocks creating a once-in-a-generation human tragedy in the workplace.”
Viinanen, who also serves as Ikea Australia’s chief sustainability officer, should use his “personal power to save lives right now”, Smith said.
One report recommended banning the product to protect another generation of workers from contracting silicosis. Alamy Stock Photo
“The science is clear: there is no safe way to work with this product,” he said.
“It is predictable that, in the near future, engineered stone benches will be seen like asbestos: a toxic substance in the home that should be removed as soon as possible.”
Engineered stone bench tops, which have become a feature in many Australian kitchens and bathrooms, contain a high concentration of silica crystals.
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Silica dust from cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone benches can lead to fatal diseases as well as lung cancer.
The Safe Work Australia report found there was “no evidence” that lower levels of crystalline silica would make the product safer.
“The costs to industry, while real and relevant, cannot outweigh the significant costs to Australian workers, their families, and the wider community resulting from exposure to respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone,” he said.
In a statement, Ikea Australia said it was “closely monitoring” any changes from the government.
“Ikea Australia works closely with suppliers of custom-made engineered stone to ensure they adhere to the highest safety standards for environmental and working conditions,” a spokesperson said.
“Ikea conducts regular third-party supplier audits to ensure these standards are strictly adhered to.
“We are closely monitoring any regulatory changes from the government regarding engineered stone products, based on reports and recommendations from Safe Work Australia, and will take any necessary action to ensure the safety of our suppliers.”
Silica dust from cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone benches can lead to fatal diseases as well as lung cancer. Adobe Stock
State and federal workplace ministers last week failed to reach a consensus and agreed to reconvene at the end of the year to decide the fate of the product.
If agreed, Australia will be the first country in the world to ban engineered stone.
The CFMEU has vowed to ban its members from using or importing engineered stone products from July next year if the federal and state governments do not act.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
