57490 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

Written Question

Published date: 22 Dec 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	57490 (2025)
Question asked:	09 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Hon Jan Tinetti
Portfolio:	Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
Minister replying:	Hon Brooke van Velden
Answer received:	16 Dec 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_57490_2025
Document guid:	a96496e8-a16e-4804-9399-18e092356c03

57490 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What communication, if any, has the Minister or WorkSafe provided to employers or suppliers about the potential presence of asbestos in imported sand products?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised that to support workplaces in managing the issues arising from the identification of coloured sand products containing asbestos, WorkSafe has collated its advice here: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-media/asbestos-in-coloured-sand/. This material is linked to other agencies’ websites and promoted through WorkSafe’s social media and by inspectors when conducting over 200 visits to impacted businesses. I am also advised that WorkSafe has provided input to the Ministry of Education and Health New Zealand to assist in their support of educational and medical facilities respectively.