IMPORTANT UPDATE FOLLOWING YESTERDAYS ASBESTOS NOTICE - PLEASE READ

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Dear Colleagues

 

Further to our information provided yesterday.  We would like to provide guidance from Gov.uk published yesterday.

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/asbestos-in-consumer-products

 

Unlike the NAHT bulletin received by schools, Government guidance appears to be saying concern primarily involves coloured play sand, sensory sand, and certain craft sands imported from China.  This would make the problem less widespread. 

 

However, we are concerned about clean-up and disposal advice given for consumers, which may be mistakenly adopted by Schools/other Workplaces.  Whilst the guidance tells consumers to clean up with wet cloths and dispose of in household waste, this is not applicable to Schools and other Workplaces. The advice on schools and workplaces is simply to follow the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR).  This coupled with the School/Trusts Policy Arrangements on asbestos mean far more stringent processes should be followed. 

 

NB school staff should not carry out any work with asbestos.  In keeping with the adopted policy arrangements, all work with asbestos should be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.    

 

We are sure you will appreciate, this situation may evolve but my latest advice is that the School/Trust checks the Products Recall list https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls?keywords=asbestos and if they have or are using any of these sand products they should;   

 

  • Stop using them immediately
  • Isolate any areas which may have been contaminated and restrict access to these areas  
  • Ensure any stocks of this sand remain unopened and stored where they will not be disturbed
  • Contact us to assess the risk and provide advice on any further action
  • Dispose of this material as hazardous waste (we can advise on this)

 

We hope this helps, but the Asbestos Team will be happy to assist further. 

 

Please send all asbestos queries and requests to asbestos@enfield.gov.uk   This mailbox is constantly monitored during working hours.

 

With kind regards.

 

Schools Health & Safety Team / Asbestos Team

Schools Health & Safety Team - 020 8379 3223 - shst@enfield.gov.uk

Asbestos Team - 0203 821 1798 - asbestos@enfield.gov.uk