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Indoor sand pits


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We have just built an indoor sand pit roughly 4m X 3m, with the sand 25cm in depth.

Staff are concerned that the dust from the sand may cause future health problems because it is more enclosed than outside.

Does anyone have any health & safety guidance regarding indoor sand pits, risk assessments etc.

I have contacted our LA H&S team, who cannot find any information specifically for indoor sandpits, and they can find no research to indicate possible silicosis

Any help would be appreciated as the children absolutely love it and I'm loathed to get rid of it.

Thank you

Westfield

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I'd love to have an indoor sandpit! I can't imagine it causing dust / breathing difficulties etc. but I'm no expert so could be wrong!

The only indoor sandpit I have seen is at the Pen Green Family Centre - I guess you could get in touch with them and ask.

Sorry I can't be more helpful!

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Our sand is and always has been ins=doors, its not permanent though and not every week, but I havent heard of any health problems. Clean it regularly and it should be fine.

 

I used to have one at home during the winter months, wasnt good for the carpet but the lads were happy :D

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if lea cannot find any information not to have one then see no reason why it should cause an issue...

 

Over 20 years I worked in many settings , had indoor sand every day and never had any issue other than one child with severe eczema it was too harsh for the poor damaged skin.. it was very severe we had to apply creams twice in a session to help with keeping her skin from breaking ..

 

keep it clean, throw away any that is on the floor ( or we sieved it and replaced it if loads) replace sand regularly, ours never stayed long enough to need washing... if worried about inhaling sand ( but it is a bit big to inhale really) keep it damp.. no chance then.



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we have had a 4m x 4m indoor sandpit for 11 years and have never experienced any problems. It is split into 2 section, 2 thirds are kept damp which help keep dust down and the other third is dry but it always get mixed a bit whilst children are in it so enjoy it, sandpit on this scale are fab and great to be able to use all year

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  • 1 month later...

Thanks for your help

A member of staff is worrying about silicosis through inhalation of sand.

I just don't want to deny the children of such a valuable resource!

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Hi Ann

 

I think there might be a world of difference between children in a sandpit and industrial sandblasting where workman are using blasting equipment for hour after hour day after day but of course I could be wrong :(

 

As long as properly supervised I can't see this being a major issue.

 

This might help;

The best way to prevent silicosis is to identify work-place activities that produce repairable crystalline silica dust and then to eliminate or control the dust ("primary prevention"). Water spray is often used where dust emanates.

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Dunelm sells giant sponge in various sizes.

Ooh! There's a fairly new Dunelm on the way to Ikea. I shall pop in later to investigate! Haven't done an Ikea trip for ages, and now I've got the double pleasure of Dunelm Mill to look forward to as well! ;)

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Guest sn0wdr0p

Oh dear, I think we are all going to be spending a fair bit of money over the weekend. Dont't forget that IKEA has some super wind up torches which have lasted rather well in our nursery and Dunelm has great wipeable table cover which you can buy by the metre and lots of little things for treasure baskets - wooden lemon squeezers and the like.

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Oh dear, I think we are all going to be spending a fair bit of money over the weekend. Dont't forget that IKEA has some super wind up torches which have lasted rather well in our nursery and Dunelm has great wipeable table cover which you can buy by the metre and lots of little things for treasure baskets - wooden lemon squeezers and the like.

 

lalalalalalala.......not listening Sn0wdr0p :rolleyes: xD

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