Asbestos in Coloured Sand – What You Need to Know

Accurate Consulting – Asbestos & Occupational Hygiene Specialists

What’s the Issue?

WorkSafe New Zealand has issued a national alert after batches of coloured craft sand used in New Zealand and Australia were found to contain tremolite and chrysotile asbestos. These products are widely used in classrooms, childcare centres, art departments, and home craft settings, and similar products may also be available in New Zealand retail and online channels.

Because coloured sand creates fine dust when poured, tipped, or handled, any amount of asbestos contamination presents a potential exposure risk. WorkSafe is actively investigating supply chains, importers, and possible distribution within New Zealand.

Why This Matters
- Craft materials are regularly handled by children, teachers, caregivers, and support staff.
- Disturbance of contaminated sand may release airborne fibres.
- Schools and workplaces must prevent asbestos exposure under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.
- Immediate precautionary action is required if coloured sand is present or has been used.

Immediate Actions if You Have Coloured Sand on Site

WorkSafe recommends:

If sealed: Move the container to an isolated, secure area.
If opened or in use: Clear people from the space and block access.
Do not sweep, vacuum, or dry-wipe any dust or residue.
Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or Class A removalist straight away.
Schools/ECEs must notify the Ministry of Education.
Re-occupancy is only permitted after a Class A clearance has been issued by an independent licensed assessor.

Decontamination & Clearance Requirements

Anyone involved in initial control or isolation must undertake personal decontamination.
Used or opened coloured sand becomes notifiable Class A asbestos work.
Only non-porous items may be decontaminated; porous materials must be disposed of as asbestos waste.
Air monitoring, perimeter testing, and a Class A clearance certificate are required before the space can be used again.

Submitting Sand or Material Samples to Accurate Consulting

If you suspect your coloured sand or other materials may contain asbestos, Accurate Consulting’s Auckland laboratory can analyse your samples safely.

Summary based on the provided client instructions file.

Prepare Your Sample

Provide around 30–40g of material.
Place the sample in a sealed container (zip-lock bag or screw-top jar).
Double-bag it, ensuring the outside is clean and dust-free.

Label the Sample

Include:

Unique sample ID
Location collected
Date collected
Your name/company and phone number

Complete the Chain of Custody (CoC)

Print and bring the form, or email it prior to arrival.

Transporting Samples

Bring samples in a sealed transport container (e.g., click-lid box).
Do not transport loose or unbagged material.

Drop-Off Location

Accurate Consulting – Auckland Laboratory
47a Mount Wellington Highway
Mount Wellington, Auckland, 1060
Hours: 9am–4pm, Monday–Friday

Payment

Pay before results are released, or via invoice if you are an account client.

Please complete and return the chain of custody form when submitting samples which you can find here

Note: Appropriate PPE & RPE should be used as part of the sampling process.

Accurate Consulting – One of NZ’s Few Laboratories Able to Identify All Six Asbestos Types

Accurate Consulting is one of only a small number of laboratories in New Zealand capable of identifying all six regulated asbestos types, in accordance with international best practice and the analytical procedures set out in HSG248 (2nd edition), Asbestos: The Analysts’ Guide:

Chrysotile (white asbestos)
Amosite (brown asbestos)
Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Tremolite
Actinolite
Anthophyllite

HSG248 sets out critical criteria for high-quality asbestos analysis, including fibre morphology, refractive indices, dispersion staining, optical properties, and differentiation between serpentine and amphibole groups.

Combined with our partnership with Cohlabs TEM—the only NATA-accredited TEM asbestos facility in the Southern Hemisphere—Accurate Consulting offers one of New Zealand’s most advanced, technically robust asbestos identification services.

This capability is essential in situations where coloured sands, imported craft materials, decorative fillers, or soils may contain mixed or multiple asbestos species.

Need Help or Testing? Contact Us

📞 Auckland: 09 574 5883 / Wellington 04 831 5345 / Christchurch 03 743 0131
✉️lab@accurateconsulting.co.nz
🌐 accurateconsulting.co.nz

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