Bunnings hits back on lead poisoning claim

A major trade union claims Bunnings shoppers and workers could be at risk of lead poisoning after some of its members allegedly purchased rolls of lead sheeting from the retail giant that may not have been safely packaged.

The alleged exposure is understood to have happened at the Bunnings’ Woodville store in metropolitan Adelaide, with the Electrical Trades Union claiming the lead product was “sitting on shelving, in a Bunnings aisle, with no safety precautions”.

Lead is a highly toxic metal and a neurotoxin that presents health hazards to the human body.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of South Australia told NewsWire it had conducted lead level testing at the store in June, showing a reading of 59,000 micrograms per 100cm2 on the shelf with visible dust present and 3,300 micrograms per 100cm2 on the floor.

For the whole store, the test showed a lead level of 6.8 micrograms per 100cm2.

“We call on Bunnings to ensure they put the public first and take all steps necessary to protect the community from lead exposure from lead products sold in their stores,” CEPU SA Secretary John Adley said.

A Bunnings spokesman disputed the union’s claims of safety risks and said it had taken steps to ensure the product was safe. SafeWork SA said it was satisfied with the handling of the situation.

ETU national secretary Michael Wright warned there was “no cure” for lead poisoning.

“We need better protections against the deadly effects of lead in workplaces,” he said.

“It is an utter disgrace that this is even an issue.

“The ETU stands with the workers currently affected and calls, in no uncertain terms, for lead exposure risk to be removed from all workplaces, for all workers and communities.”

The Bunnings spokesman said there was “nothing more important to us than team and customer safety, including the products we sell.”

“The SDA (the union for retail, fast food and warehouse workers) recently raised a concern with us about the sale of lead sheets, mainly used in roof applications,” he said.

“In response, we received expert advice that confirmed the way the product is sold poses little risk to customers and team members.

“For context, the risk associated with lead building materials typically comes from physically modifying it such as heating, grinding and welding on a job site, rather than handling it in a store.”

SafeWork SA confirmed with NewsWire it had investigated a “large hardware store” in SA in June and said it was satisfied with the actions taken by the store to correct any perceived health hazard.

“It was brought to SafeWork SA’s attention in June 2024 that a large hardware store in South Australia were supplying lead contained products that were not appropriately packaged to protect workers and customers handling the product,” a SafeWork spokesman said.

“SafeWork SA Inspectors visited the store the day following the notification to ensure appropriate control measures were put in place in line with the work health and safety laws and product manufacturer’s guidelines.

“Such products only pose risk of lead contamination, including for workers and customers, if they are handled while unprotected. This can be avoided by appropriate packaging and the wearing of gloves.

“SafeWork SA conducts audits and compliance checks on businesses across South Australia and will take appropriate action if breaches to the Work Health and Safety Act are identified.

“SafeWork SA is satisfied with actions taken by the store in the way it handles and displays lead products and the way the business is taking a uniform approach to its other South Australian stores.”

Bunnings also confirmed it had worked with a supplier to update the packaging and labelling of all current and future stock, and the changes would be rolled out on a national basis.

It is expected the rollout will be completed over the next few weeks.

As an interim measure, the company is storing current stock in containers in its goods inward bay where it is made available on request.

The health scare follows the suspected lead poisoning of union members working to decommission the AGL Torrens Island plant in late 2022 to early 2023.

Workers at AGL Torrens Island removed more than 30 tons of high voltage lead cable without safety controls in place.

Workers suffered from acute lead toxicity from the work, the union said, leading to insomnia, abdominal pain, weight loss, cognitive issues with memory, headaches and chronic fatigue.

An AGL spokesman told NewsWire affected workers would be supported by the company.

“During decommissioning works of Torrens A Station, sections of redundant electrical cabling were removed,” the spokesman said.

“When the hazard associated with handling lead was identified, work was ceased, monitoring of the work area and exposure level assessment was conducted.

“Affected workers were, and continue to be, supported by AGL.

“Our workforce was informed of the incident, have participated in regular information sessions about the risks and controls when working with possible lead-containing substances.

“In response to the incident, AGL has taken several steps and measures, both at Torrens Island and at other AGL sites, to ensure the health and safety of our people.

“Developed by an independent certified industrial hygienist, AGL has issued new Safe Work Instruction specific to the hazards associated with handling of lead cables.

“AGL reported the incident to SafeWork SA and continues to engage and work with SafeWork SA and the CEPU.”