Sounds to me like your Safety Officer is looking to justify the position

Don't get me wrong, our hobby/sport needs safety officers and periodic reminders around the safe handling of our airframes. I believe in your specific example the "problem" lies with the individuals, not the benches. A bit of "Safety101" remedial education from your Safety Officer is what I believe was called for instead of a potential ban of the safety benches. Maybe a safety session at your next club meeting is in order???

Regardless, we have 3 of those benches at our club and they are always in use (5 pilot stations in total). As far as I'm concerned they are fantastic and are very safe. What makes them less safe is "unsafe" use (standing beside the running prop, adjusting the needle in front of the plane, etc.).

Good luck counseling your Safety Officer.

-MA