At a glance

Primark has recalled Halloween decorations over fears they contain asbestos, prompting a warning from construction health and safety experts about the ongoing dangers of the material. Despite being banned in 1999, asbestos is still present in many older buildings, posing a risk to construction workers who may disturb it. Essential Site Skills emphasises the need for proper training and awareness to prevent exposure and protect workers' health.

An urgent recall of Halloween decorations over asbestos fears has prompted a construction health and safety specialist to warn that the banned material remains one of Britain’s deadliest workplace hazards. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued a recall on 6 October after testing identified that sand sealed inside two Primark Halloween gonks may contain small quantities of asbestos. The decorations, featuring pumpkin and witch designs, have been withdrawn from sale, with customers advised to stop using them immediately.

Now Essential Site Skills, a UK construction training and health and safety specialist, says the unexpected discovery is a reminder that asbestos remains a serious risk more than 25 years after it was banned. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases in Great Britain every year, while approximately 20 tradespeople die each week as a result of past exposure.

Catherine Storer, Director at Essential Site Skills, said:

“Most people wouldn’t expect to find asbestos in a Halloween decoration. That’s what makes this recall so alarming.

“But while this particular incident involves household products, asbestos is something construction workers can still encounter during everyday activities. “We banned asbestos in 1999, but we haven’t eliminated the danger. It’s still present in buildings across the country, and disturbing it without recognising the risk can have devastating consequences.

“The frightening thing about asbestos is that you won’t necessarily know you’ve been exposed. The health effects can take decades to emerge, by which point the damage has already been done.”

Asbestos was widely used in building materials, insulation, ceiling tiles and pipework before its prohibition. It can still be found in properties built or refurbished before 2000. Workers involved in refurbishment, demolition and maintenance can be exposed when asbestos-containing materials are drilled, cut, broken or disturbed, releasing microscopic fibres into the air.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, employers must ensure workers who could be exposed to asbestos receive appropriate information, instruction and training.

Catherine continued:

“There’s a dangerous assumption that asbestos is a problem we’ve already dealt with. But thousands of people are still dying from exposure that happened years ago.

“We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes with today’s workforce. “Workers need to recognise when asbestos could be present, understand when to stop work and know the correct procedures to follow.

“And where respiratory protective equipment is required, simply handing someone a mask isn’t enough. It needs to be suitable for the hazard, correctly fitted and properly used.

“Training and prevention might not make headlines, but they can make the difference between someone going home safely and developing a life-changing illness years down the line.”

Essential Site Skills provides UKATA Asbestos Awareness training, alongside Face Fit Testing and Face Fit Train the Tester courses, helping employers improve workforce awareness and respiratory protection. The company is urging construction businesses, particularly those involved in refurbishment and maintenance of older properties, to review their asbestos awareness procedures and ensure workers have appropriate training and protection.

Editorial insight

The recall of Primark Halloween decorations has drawn renewed attention to the ongoing dangers posed by asbestos, a material still present in many UK buildings despite being banned over two decades ago. While the immediate concern relates to consumer products, the incident has prompted fresh warnings from construction safety experts about the risks faced by workers, especially those involved in refurbishment or maintenance of older properties.

This reminder is particularly relevant for employers and tradespeople, as Health and Safety Executive data continues to show significant mortality from asbestos-related diseases. The persistence of asbestos in the built environment means that robust training, clear procedures, and appropriate protective measures remain essential for anyone likely to encounter the material during their work.

The recall also comes at a time when regulatory focus on workplace health and safety remains high, with recent updates to enforcement activity and ongoing campaigns to improve awareness among at-risk groups. For construction businesses, it is a timely prompt to review compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations and ensure that all staff receive up-to-date training and support.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Consumer impact

Asbestos in Consumer Goods: A Hidden Hazard?

The recall of Primark Halloween decorations featuring asbestos highlights the unexpected presence of this dangerous material in consumer goods, raising questions about product safety regulations and consumer awareness.

Target audience consumer-lifestyle Story potential 8/10 Environmental/social impact

Asbestos: A Lingering Threat in UK Buildings

The Primark recall serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks asbestos poses, particularly in the construction industry, where thousands of workers are still exposed to this deadly material.

Target audience environment Story potential 7/10