Bunnings will stop selling engineered stone as pressure mounts for a national ban on the silicosis-causing material.
Unions have been campaigning for the chain, owned by retail and industrial conglomerate Wesfarmers, to pull kitchen bench tops from its product line-up to protect workers from the deadly condition.
The household hardware and garden giant confirmed it would stop selling the products from December 31.
Bunnings merchandise director Jen Tucker said the decision was made directly in response to recommendations from the national work safety watchdog and looming government bans.
"While there has been clear indication from NSW and other state governments that they will legislate a ban on the product, we are proactively making this decision to allow suppliers and customers time to prepare for a transition," she said.
"The decision to adjust our range now will give our suppliers certainty about future sourcing of materials and should mean we're well positioned to offer a fully compliant range well ahead of any changes being mandated."
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union secretary Zach Smith called for the total ban on the importation, manufacturing and use of engineered stone.
"This is the end of the line for engineered stone," he said.
"When even a massive corporation that until now has put profits over workers' lives concedes it's lost any remaining social licence to sell this killer stone, no government can squib it on a ban."
Mr Smith said other retailers should follow Bunnings' lead.
"IKEA talks a big game on social responsibility yet lines its shelves with bench tops that kill Australians," he said.
Safe Work Australia last month recommended a ban on the use of engineered stone products to prevent workers developing deadly diseases and cancers.
Workers can be exposed to silica dust if their jobs involve breaking, crushing, grinding or milling materials high in silica, such as engineered stone benchtops, bricks, tiles, concrete and some plastic materials.
More than 600,000 workers are exposed to materials with high silica contents in sectors such as mining, building and construction, tunnelling and manufacturing.
State and federal governments have been unable to agree on a national approach to engineered stone, despite the safety watchdog's recommendation.
NSW and other states have threatened to push ahead with their own bans if agreement is not reached at a scheduled meeting in mid-December.
