York Press 7th April 2008 reported that former shoppers and members of staff at York's closed down Woolworth's store were reassured today that they were not put at risk by asbestos in the building.
An expert from City of York Council said asbestos was not dangerous unless it was disturbed, and this had not happened before the store in Spurriergate closed down earlier this year.
Principal health and safety officer Steve Adamthwaite said: "Asbestos is found in a lot of buildings built during the 1960s and 1970s.
"The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations ensure that people in control of buildings where asbestos is present identify where it is and ensure that it is not disturbed.
"Woolworths did this effectively, and there would have been no danger to members of the public or to staff who worked at the store."
The Press reported last week how asbestos insulation boards were being removed from the building, where Boots plans to open a new store this summer.
York has a long history of problems caused by an "asbestos timebomb" at the former carriageworks in Holgate Road, with scores of former workers having died from exposure to the deadly dust during their careers at the factory. But in that case dust was often flying around the factory, with some workers throwing asbestos "snowballs" at each other, unaware of the dangers.
Boots today said it agreed with the council that the asbestos at the former Woolworth's store posed no threat. A spokeswoman said: "Boots support Steve Adamthwaite's position and believe there is no cause for concern. This is normal practice and our contractors are carrying out these works under controlled conditions. "We remain committed to always putting our customers' health and safety requirements above trading performance."
To read the full story please click on the link below:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/yorknews/display.var.2176637.0.reassurance_on_asbestos_fears.php
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