Several Tasmanian non-government schools closed, others partially closed due to coloured sand recall
Corpus Christi on Hobart's eastern shore is one of the schools that has closed in response to the recall of coloured sand products. (ABC News: Kate Nickels)
In short:
At least 12 Tasmanian non-government schools are closed or partially closed in response to the national recall of coloured sand products. An additional three Catholic education schools will also partially close from Wednesday.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission recommended the recall due to concerns of asbestos contamination.
What's next?
Parents are asked to check the Tasmanian Catholic Education website for updates on closures.
At least six Tasmanian non-government schools have closed — and six others partially closed — on Tuesday following the national recall of coloured sand products by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
On Monday afternoon, Catholic Education Tasmania announced the partial closure of three additional schools.
The closures come after a national recall notice was issued last week for coloured sand products after traces of asbestos were found.
It prompted dozens of schools to close as the risk was managed and the sand was removed.
On Tuesday, November 18 these non-government schools will be impacted:
On Wednesday, November 19, three additional Catholic-run schools will also partially close.
Catholic Education said in a statement: "A number of classrooms where the sand has been present are currently unavailable for use as they undergo risk assessments."
"Classrooms will remain closed while assessments are underway. As these spaces are essential for normal school operations, some schools will need to close temporarily while the risk assessment takes place," the statement read.
"Schools will be sending communications to families to advise of their current status."
Catholic Education Tasmania executive director Gerard Gaskin said he acknowledged the disruption for families.
"Catholic Education Tasmania is working to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible," Dr Gaskin said.
"While expert advice indicates the risk to our students and staff is very low, we are taking every precaution to ensure our school environments remain safe.
"Our communities can be confident that we are acting quickly, carefully and in alignment with professional guidance."
For Catholic schools, further updates will be published on the Catholic Education Tasmania website.
In an email to parents, Hutchins said the temporary closure allowed the school "to complete precautionary cleaning, review and safety checks relating to these materials".
Catholic Education Tasmania says it's working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. (ABC News: Kate Nickels)
No Tasmanian state schools closed
Tasmania's Education Department said it was working with schools, child and family learning centres and libraries regarding the recalled coloured sand products.
A department spokesperson said no public schools were closed as a result.
"On Friday, the department issued a safety alert to our schools, child and family learning centres and libraries around this issue," they said.
"Communication was also provided to childcare centres via the Department Education and Care Unit, which is the childcare regulator in Tasmania.
"The department is working closely with relevant authorities."
The ABC has asked the state government for more information on what is being done in response to the recalled products in state schools, libraries and child and family learning centres.
Four types of coloured sand products have been recalled. (Supplied: ACCC)
What to do if you have the recalled products at home
Worksafe Tasmania said anyone who had any of the affected sand products should stop using it immediately, wear protective gear — disposable gloves, a P2-rated mask and protective eyewear — when handling the product or preparing it for disposal.
For disposal, the products should be double bagged in heavy duty plastic bags, securely taped and labelled "Contains asbestos — do not open".
Loading...The products should not be disposed of in general waste bins. People are asked to contact their council's hazardous waste facility or the relevant asbestos disposal site.
Southern Waste Solutions is also offering a free disposal service at its waste transfer station in Hobart's northern suburbs.
Southern Waste Solutions chief executive Nick Gifford said anyone with the recalled sand products could bring it to the waste transfer station at 129 Derwent Park Road, in Lutana.
"Bring it double bagged … and our staff onsite and our head office there will help you," Mr Gifford told ABC Radio Hobart.
"We'll keep this going for as long as [we] need to … so that it doesn't get put into our general wheelie bins or somewhere it shouldn't be."