Asbestos in sand products (OPSS)
Date published:
Asbestos in sand products
The Office for Product Safety and Standard (OPSS) is aware of consumer products available in Northern Ireland containing sand and sand products contaminated with asbestos. Below is some guidance, if you have concerns or have been in contact with these products.
Contaminated products that have been identified and are subject to recalls are listed on this OPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls page(external link opens in a new window / tab).
Advice for schools and nurseries
For matters relating to a suspect product, schools should refer to the OPSS guidance. Asbestos in consumer products - GOV.UK
Only products listed by OPSS should be treated as problematic.
Where a contaminated product is identified, as stated in the OPSS guidance, you should stop using it immediately and keep people away from the area until it has been removed and the area cleaned.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 applies in non-domestic premises, including schools. (They do not apply to general consumer use of these products.)
In non-domestic premises, including schools, there is a requirement to assess and manage the risk from asbestos. This specifically includes dealing with incidents and emergencies.
In the first instance, you should inform your relevant school authority or Trust (for independent playgroups or nursery settings) if you have concerns.
In light of the advice you receive, you may need to seek professional advice or assistance.
There is no current government advice to remove or test bulk play sand in schools.
Removal of any sand-based product identified as containing asbestos would be considered non-licensed work and must comply with the relevant parts of the Regulations, including its disposal as asbestos waste; and the provision of adequate training for persons working with non-licensed asbestos.
Further information
The below links give guidance on disposal or alternatively contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA):
Asbestos in consumer products - GOV.UK(external link opens in a new window / tab)
NIEA General Enquiries(external link opens in a new window / tab).
If you have concerns about exposure in a workplace, follow the below guidance:
What to do if you are inadvertently exposed to asbestos:
- If you encounter asbestos fibres, you should remove yourself from the source of exposure. If you think there are asbestos fibres on your skin and clothes, do not shake or brush the fibres off as this will make them airborne and prone to being inhaled.
- Remove all visible dust and fibres from the exposed skin, clothing and footwear by wet wiping with a damp cloth using a gentle patting action. Detailed guidance is available in HSE (GB) publication Asbestos Essentials EM1(external link opens in a new window / tab)(external link opens in a new window / tab).
- Contaminated clothing, towels etc. which have or had dust on them should be carefully removed and placed in a sealed container or into a sealed plastic bag and disposed of as asbestos waste.
Further information can be found: Asbestos | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, controlling risk together.
Use a UKAS accredited organisation to provide advice and guidance: UKAS accredited organisations in Northern Ireland providing asbestos related services | Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, controlling risk together
General asbestos advice can be found: