THE UK’s second-largest car company has been forced to close one of its factories and re-route deliveries after a dangerous substance was discovered on the site.
The deadly chemical was banned more than two decades ago but was found to have been absorbed into the building itself.
In a letter to customers, Ford warned that a “small percentage” of chrysotile, commonly known as white asbestos, was detected in sections of cement at one of its UK locations, according to BBC News.
The Ford UK Parts Distribution Centre in Daventry, Northamptonshire, opened up in 1968, well before using asbestos was made illegal in 1999.
Hundreds of thousands of buildings have been retrofitted since then to remove the material, which has been linked to numerous cancers.
Likewise, hundreds of Brits have been able to claim compensation over the past 25 years due to the health impact of working in affected buildings.
Under a 2012 law, employers have a statutory responsibility to ensure that employees are not exposed to asbestos while working.
Ford has now “suspended operations” at the site after the discovery.
A specialist team has been called in to “conduct thorough cleaning” and remove the fibres.
Thankfully, asbestos is not usually harmful unless it is damaged or disturbed but the site will be cleared to allow the removal to take place.
The company has also activated “contingency action” to reduce supply chain disruption.
This includes redirecting parts delivery destined for the centre to its counterparts in Cologne, Germany and Valencia, Spain.
A spokesperson for the company said: “Small pieces of cement containing a low percentage of white asbestos have been found on an area of racking on our Daventry site.
“We have suspended operations while external specialists conduct thorough cleaning.
“We are fully committed to providing a safe working environment and are keeping our employees updated regularly.”
It comes after Wales’ largest used car supermarket was ravaged by a fire, causing millions of pounds worth of damage and claiming hundreds of nearly new cars.
Meanwhile, a driver has been handed thousands in compensation after being sold an “unroadworthy” hatchback by a crooked dealer.
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