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Ministry of Education New Zealand
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Recalled products#

Information about the products recalled due to potential asbestos contamination can be found on the Product Safety website.

Recalled products – 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. 

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

Important

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

Information

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.

Asbestos in sand – Health New Zealand

Step-by-step guidance – actions schools and early learning services can take#

The Ministry of Education is not providing advice to schools and early learning services (ELSs) on whether or not to undertake testing of coloured sand they have onsite.

The decision to test the sand for asbestos is at the discretion of the school board or ELS, as the legal entity/person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) in a learning facility. Schools and ELSs may provide instructions to licensed asbestos assessors directly on whether to undertake testing.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. If the school or ELS 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.

  4. The school or ELS should 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Clothing or personal items worn while using the product should be isolated. See below our advice for personal decontamination and consideration guidance.

  7. Engage a licensed asbestos assessor to undertake inspection in line with our guidance for asbestos professionals to assist schools or ELSs 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Schools and ELSs 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

  11. 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.

  12. As part of the Class A clearance the licensed asbestos assessor must undertake dust disturbance and air monitoring as part of the clearance.

  13. Licensed assessors and removal contractors must follow WorkSafe’s guidance on coloured sand, available here.

    Asbestos in coloured sand – WorkSafe

  14. After remediation, the school may reoccupy the area only once the licensed assessor issues a Class A clearance certificate.

Practical steps when working with licensed asbestos assessors and removal contractors#

This tool aims to help schools and early learning services (ELS) review their current procedures and determine next steps when working with licensed asbestos assessor and removalist contractors. The steps align with the Ministry’s current guidance.

This is an additional, voluntary tool you can use to help guide decision-making at your school or ELS. It is an option, not a requirement.

Asbestos record-keeping#

School boards and early learning service providers are the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) under health and safety legislation.

This means they are legally responsible for managing asbestos risks on their sites, including removal and remediation. All reports and results should be provided to:

  • the school’s board and added to their Asbestos Management Plan
  • the early learning service provider and added to their hazard and risk management documentation. 

Under legislation, these obligations sit with the PCBU rather than the Ministry.

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – New Zealand Legislation

Personal decontamination and consideration guidance for schools and ELSs#

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, ELSs, 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.

Asbestos in sand – Health New Zealand

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