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Recalled products#
The products Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has identified are EC Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics - Coloured Sand (1kg), and Kmart NZ’s 14-piece Sand Castle Building Set (Batch no: 42975724), Blue Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304364), Green Magic Sand (Batch no: 432919650) and Pink Magic Sand (Batch no: 42304371).
WorkSafe advises that until further notice, coloured sand listed on MBIE's Product Recall page must be presumed to contain asbestos.
For further advice regarding product identification, contact MBIE Consumer line.
Phone: 0508 426 678
Refer any asbestos professionals you engage to the guidance we’ve set for the safe asbestos removal and remediation work in an educational setting, as endorsed by WorkSafe.
Asbestos in coloured sand – guidance for asbestos professionals
Note that the advice contained here is for schools and early learning services as part of their responsibilities as places of work.
This differs from the public health advice being provided for households and individuals, which can be found on the Health New Zealand website.
Step-by-step guidance – actions schools and early learning services can take#
If the sand is in a container: Seal the container and move it to a secure storage area away from use. This material must be disposed of by a licensed professional. When handling the container, it is recommended to wear disposable gloves and a mask. This material must not be disposed of as general waste.
If the sand is loose or currently in use: Instruct everyone to leave the area immediately. Anyone who has been in the area must undergo personal decontamination procedures. Restrict access and ensure the area remains secure. Do not vacuum, sweep, or attempt to clean up the sand.
If the school or early learning centre (ECE) has already disposed of the sand in general waste bins:
- Identify the bins as these will need to be included as part of the assessment and remediation.
- If they have been emptied, notify the waste disposal company immediately.
The School or ECE must notify the Ministry of Education and advise on the type of product they know, or suspect has been used, the approximate extent or areas in which it has been used. Confirm if the product is currently stored away, or in use, and if the area has been isolated.
If the product has previously been used in an area, it is recommended that the space is isolated until a licensed assessor can conduct a full assessment, due to the potential for uneven distribution of the material.
Clothing or personal items worn while using the product should be isolated. See below our advice for personal decontamination and consideration guidance.
Engage a licensed asbestos assessor to undertake inspection in line with our guidance for asbestos professionals to assist schools or ECEs in conducting a risk assessment and developing a remediation scope based on identification of source product and visual inspection only. Note this work must be completed by licensed professionals.
Licensed asbestos assessors can advise on the extent of contamination, identify items requiring removal, and confirm which areas and items can remain and be cleaned in situ.
To provide a level of assurance, the licensed asbestos assessor can conduct air monitoring in rooms where sand is present. This may provide an initial indication of any airborne contamination and can be carried out during the site assessment.
Schools and ECEs must directly engage a Class A licensed asbestos removal contractor and a separate licensed asbestos assessor as required by the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulation 2016.
Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulation 2016 – New Zealand Legislation
The time required to remediate the area will depend on the size and complexity of the space identified as potentially containing asbestos sand. By having a licensed asbestos assessor assist the school in identifying all possible locations, they can help refine the scale and time for remediation.
As part of the Class A clearance the licensed asbestos assessor must undertake dust disturbance and air monitoring as part of the clearance.
Licensed assessors and removal contractors must follow WorkSafe’s guidance on coloured sand, available here.
After remediation, the school may reoccupy the area only once the licensed assessor issues a Class A clearance certificate.
Personal decontamination and consideration guidance for schools and ECEs#
Staff and students who have come into contact with the sand should consider personal decontamination and decontamination of clothing and personal items. When assessing this option, consider:
- time elapsed since contact with the sand
- clothing worn during contact
- whether items have been washed since initial contact
- whether people affected have washed since initial contact.
In most cases, personal decontamination will have occurred through normal hygiene practices.
If contact with the sand is recent or immediate personal decontamination is required#
In a well-ventilated outdoor area:
- Use wet wipes or disposable damp cloths to wipe the body, starting from the head and working downwards.
- Following the wipe process proceed to the nearest available shower immediately.
- Dispose of all wipes/cloths as asbestos waste. Do not place in general waste.
If sand use was historical and clothing has been washed#
The risk of residual contamination is very low to negligible. Any remaining particles are likely to have been removed through washing.
If clothing or personal items have not been washed#
- Isolate these items.
- They will need to be disposed of by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.
Note that the advice for schools, ECEs, businesses and other workplaces differs from the advice for households. Refer to the Health New Zealand website below for more information and advice about what to do if you have these products at home.
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