Warning over refurbishment risks

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 30-08-2011

Health and safety chiefs have demanded more care is taken when offices retail premises are refurbished, in order to protect store workers and customers from risks in the wake of recent incidents.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has reminded stores and offices of the seriousness involved in exposing people to unnecessary risks.

Marks & Spencer was found guilty at Crown Court of failing to ensure adequate protection for people over the possibility of being exposed to asbestos during a refurbishment at one store.

Also this year, Arcadia and a shopfitters' firm were fined after construction workers were exposed to asbestos fibres at a Topshop store in Liverpool during an interior refurbishment.

David Ackerley, Chair of IOSH's Construction Group, said: "When any retail outlet is being refurbished those involved should be aware of the potential risks that making aesthetic and structural changes can have, not only to workers, but anyone in the vicinity.

"In the current economic climate it's understandable that people are looking to save money where they can. However, when looking to make any sort of saving, they must not put lives at risk."

Copyright Press Association 2011