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ROME — Rai, Italy’s national broadcaster, has temporarily closed its Rome headquarters after finding elevated asbestos levels in parts of the building. The facility at 14 Viale Mazzini, constructed in the 1950s when asbestos was commonly used, showed airborne fiber concentrations above legal limits during recent testing. This discovery prompted immediate safety measures.
A heating system failure caused water leaks, triggering health authority inspections that found asbestos levels exceeding safety limits. In response, Rai fast-tracked its plans to empty the building for cleanup and renovation work. The broadcaster maintains this closure is a preventive measure to protect staff safety.
The Viale Mazzini building houses mainly administrative and executive offices, not broadcast production facilities. Rai has expanded remote work policies and is moving essential on-site staff to other locations, including its Saxa Rubra and Via Teulada facilities.
The Evacuation
The swift evacuation has prompted mixed reactions among employees. One staff member, speaking anonymously, noted concerns about the timing of the decision: “Perhaps we should have been informed earlier. There have been water leaks for nearly a month, and the risk of asbestos exposure was a possibility. But here, things tend to move slowly.”
The broadcaster’s temporary closure is expected to hurt businesses in Rome’s Prati district, especially cafes and restaurants that normally serve Rai employees, due to fewer customers in the area.
Rai has confirmed that access to the building will remain possible for the retrieval of essential equipment, documents, and furniture as part of the relocation process. The company is ensuring continuity of operations by transferring departments to alternative locations, with senior management and board members temporarily relocating to the Via Asiago facility near Piazza di Spagna.
The organization has further assured that updates on the remediation timeline and relocation plans will be communicated to employees and stakeholders in the coming weeks.
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