Ford parts centre suspends operations over asbestos

A letter to customers, seen by the BBC, says the discovery was made last week

A car parts factory has suspended operations after asbestos was discovered during an on-site survey.

In a letter to customers, seen by the BBC, Ford said a "low percentage" of chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, had been found in some small pieces of cement at the Ford UK Parts Distribution Centre in Daventry, Northamptonshire.

The discovery of the substance - which can cause cancer - means picking and putaway operations at the site will stop while specialist cleaning takes place.

Ford said it had "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," a spokeswoman added.

The letter said that a "contingency action" was in place and would see parts orders re-routed to Cologne, Germany and Valencia, Spain.

It said: "This means that parts which can be supplied from those locations will be shipped to the UK and Ireland, although this will result in extended lead time."

The company added that it was working to "mitigate the implications" of the situation in Daventry.

Asbestos is not considered harmful when it is in large pieces and undamaged.

However, if it is disturbed or damaged, it can become a danger to health. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other serious lung diseases.

Using any type of the substance was banned in the UK in 1999.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, external, employers have a duty to prevent workers being exposed to the substance at work.