The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) is launching a new campaign, vowing to ban a "killer stone" ruining the lives, and lungs, of Australian tradies.
The "Stop The Killer Stone" campaign is calling for the government to ban the use and importation of engineered stone.
The new advertising blitz is launching today.
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CFMEU has vowed to ban their members from working with engineered stone, should governments not answer the call by mid-next year.
Incoming CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith said engineered stone is one of the biggest threats facing workers.
"Engineered stone is the asbestos of the 2020s. Governments must act to stop its importation and use," he said.
"But if decision-makers won't act, the CFMEU will. Our Union will ban our members from engineered stone by mid-next year."
One of the advertisements features Kyle Goodwin, who was diagnosed with terminal silicosis in 2019.
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Goodwin was 33-years-old when he was told he had the irreversible lung disease caused by dangerous silica dust.
The former stonemason, from Byron Bay in northern NSW, was given just five years to live.
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"Instead of planning a family, we're planning my funeral," Goodwin says in the ad, which will air nationally.
"I used to install kitchen benches. People liked engineered stone because it was cheap. But the dust got into my lungs causing deadly, incurable silicosis.
"That's too high a price for anyone to pay. Nothing will save my life.
"But if you join the campaign to stop the importation and manufacture of engineered stone, you can help save someone else's. Please."
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