Ikea has been accused of “hypocrisy” amid calls for the furniture giant to recall a range of kitchen worktops due to their link to a deadly disease.
A letter sent to Australian chief executive Mirja Viinanen detailed the national construction union’s fury at Ikea for failing to remove engineered stone worktops from its shelves in the wake of a discouraging Safe Work Australia report.
The report, released last week by federal and state labor ministers, recommended a complete ban on the product to protect another generation of workers from contracting silicosis.
Silicosis is an incurable disease and is caused by inhalation of small particles of silica dust.
Ikea has been asked to recall a series of kitchen worktops due to their link to a deadly disease. REUTERS
“There is no shortage of publicly available information on how artificial stone products directly lead to premature worker deaths,” said CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith.
“It’s hard to see Ikea Australia’s latest sustainability report as anything other than greenwashing hypocrisy when Ikea completely ignores the consequences of the killer stone that is creating a once-in-a-generation human workplace tragedy “.
Viinanen, who also serves as Ikea Australia’s chief sustainability officer, should use her “personal power to save lives now”, Smith said.
A 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 these products,” he said.
“It is entirely foreseeable that, in the near future, artificial stone countertops will be seen as asbestos: a toxic material in homes that should be removed as soon as possible.”
Engineered stone countertops, which have become a feature of many Australian kitchens and bathrooms, contain a high concentration of crystalline silica.
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The silica dust produced by cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone countertops can cause life-threatening illnesses, as well as lung cancer.
The Safe Work Australia report found there was “no evidence” that lower levels of crystalline silica made the product safe.
“The cost to industry, while real and relevant, cannot outweigh the significant costs to Australian workers, their families and the wider community that result from exposure to respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone,” he said.
In a statement, Ikea Australia said it was “closely monitoring” the government’s regular changes.
“Ikea Australia works closely with custom engineered stone suppliers to ensure they follow the highest safety standards for environmental and working conditions,” a spokesperson said.
“Ikea carries out regular audits of third-party suppliers to ensure these standards are strictly followed.
“We are closely monitoring any government regulatory changes on custom designed stone products, based on Safe Work Australia’s report and recommendation, and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our suppliers.”
The silica dust produced by cutting, grinding and polishing engineered stone countertops can cause life-threatening illnesses, as well as lung cancer. AdobeStock
Last week, state and federal workplace ministers failed to reach a consensus and agreed to meet again at the end of the year to decide the fate of the product.
If agreed, Australia will become the first country in the world to ban artificial stone.
The CFMEU has vowed to ban its members from using or importing artificial stone products from July next year if the federal and state governments do not act.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn