Further information on the coloured sand recall#
Health information#
Health New Zealand Chief Medical Officer, Dr Joe Bourne, has an important message for all parents and carers who have been expressing concerns about the impact of asbestos in coloured sand to their children’s health.
While this contains messages for the general public, it provides you with health’s assessment on the level of risk relating to sand products that will be useful for you as early learning service leaders.
Asbestos in sand – Health advice for households – Ministry of Health NZ – YouTube
Please share this public health information with your wider early learning service community through your usual communication channels as it also contains helpful information on how parents and carers can safely dispose of any sand product they have at home.
For advice on disposal in early learning service settings, refer to the step-by-step guide available on our website.
New coloured sand product added to the recall list#
Superdeal NZ has recalled their Craft Sand 380g product sold in New Zealand due to potential asbestos contamination. Details are available on the Product Safety website.
Craft Sand 380g – Product Safety New Zealand
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is continuously testing other sand products available in New Zealand for potential asbestos contamination. We suggest that you regularly check the Product Safety website for the latest list of recalled sand products.
Recalled products – Product Safety New Zealand
Updated step-by-step guidance on our website#
This guidance has been updated to clarify that we are not providing advice to early learning services on whether or not to undertake testing of the coloured sand they have onsite.
The decision to test the sand for asbestos is at the discretion of the early learning service, as the legal entity conducting a business or undertaking (person conducting a business or undertaking or PCBU) in a learning facility.
If your early learning service is part of an association or has a head office, we recommend you follow their instructions and advice.
If you decide/have already requested to get the sand tested#
We’ve also updated the guidance for asbestos professionals to encourage a consistent way of presenting test results; making it easier for early learning services to interpret what they mean.
Asbestos in coloured sand – guidance for asbestos professionals
Please make sure that you share this guidance with the asbestos assessor or removalist you engage.
Covering the removal and remediation cost#
You will need to cover the costs of safely removing asbestos-containing materials and remediating affected areas in your early learning service. All queries regarding insurance should be directed to your insurers as every situation is different.
