Selfridges closes window display after asbestos find
Public liability
20th October 2008
The London branch of the Selfridges department store has closed one of its window displays after asbestos was discovered.
According to the Telegraph, the asbestos panels were removed while the store was open.
"The thing to know about asbestos is if it is in situ and it is undisturbed, it is absolutely fine," said a spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive, adding: "It only becomes a problem when it is drilled into, for instance."
The spokeswoman also said asbestos is present in Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
Asbestos can cause cancer if it is inhaled and over 4,000 people die every year as a result of being exposed to it.
Recently, the director of two asbestos removal companies was fined for illegally removing the substance.
Businesses can protect themselves from asbestos-related claims by ensuring they have adequate liability insurance and use removal firms accredited by the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association.
