The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued recalls for a number of children’s craft and play sand products found to contain sand contaminated with asbestos. As these are the kinds of materials used in classrooms, early years areas and craft cupboards, it is worth schools carrying out a straightforward check of their resources.
We have produced a NASPM Safety Alert covering the background, the action to take, and where to find the official recall guidance. You can download and share it across your school or trust using the link at the foot of this post.
Background
The issue first arose when independent laboratory testing, commissioned by a parent, identified asbestos in coloured sand sold in Hobbycraft’s “Giant Box of Craft” kit. Since then the OPSS has added further sand-based products to its recalls and alerts page, including items from several retailers, and in March issued a technical advisory note for businesses on testing for asbestos in sand-based consumer products. The affected sand is generally understood to originate from overseas mines where asbestos can occur naturally and labelling controls are less rigorous.
UK law has banned the import and use of all asbestos since 1999, so these products should not have reached the market. A precautionary check of craft and play resources is a sensible step for schools.
What schools should do
The key step is to check the OPSS Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls page against the craft and play sand products held on your premises. Until that check is complete, any suspect products should be taken out of use, covered or stored away from children.
If you identify an affected product, take it out of use, store it securely out of reach, and follow the disposal guidance in the official recall notice. We would note one practical point: follow the written recall notice and OPSS guidance rather than informal advice given over chat or phone, as some inconsistencies have been reported. Disposal may need to go through an Environment Agency licensed waste carrier.
The full step-by-step actions for headteachers and heads of premises are set out in the downloadable alert below.
Reducing the risk going forward
When buying mineral-based play materials such as sands and powders, a few sensible precautions help: purchase from reputable UK or EU suppliers with strong safety compliance, know who you are buying from when ordering online, check for UKCA or CE marks and clear manufacturer traceability, and for sand or powder products ask the supplier to confirm country of manufacture, provide safety documentation, and state compliance with UK law. Products with no traceability should be treated with caution.
Where this sits for estates teams
Acting on product safety alerts is part of the wider estates and compliance picture, alongside the DfE’s expectation that the school estate is safe, suitable and sustainable. Being able to respond to alerts like this, and to evidence that you have done so, supports the demonstration of due diligence. It is the kind of practical, timely support NASPM is here to provide.
Download and share the Safety Alert
You are welcome to download the full NASPM Safety Alert and circulate it within your school or trust:
If you have questions about this alert or about managing product safety within your estates compliance framework, our team is here to help. NASPM members receive alerts like this direct to their inbox as issues arise.