COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — King Soopers has announced that it is temporarily closing its store at the intersection of South Academy Boulevard and Hancock Expressway “out of great caution,” according to a statement released Tuesday.
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The store is currently undergoing an interior refurbishment which the grocery chain said tests revealed the possible presence of asbestos.
King Soopers said it is actively addressing the situation and has hired independent experts to work in full collaboration with relevant state agencies, including the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), to assist in their assessments.
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The store will remain closed until all concerns are resolved and the safety of employees and customers is a top priority.
King Soopers officials said they will provide updated information as it becomes available.
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There is evidence the store was closed on Monday night – surprising and frustrating staff showing up for work Tuesday morning and disappointing customers who relied on the store’s convenient location.
A customer broke down in tears and said she was unable to collect the cake she ordered for her daughter’s birthday party at the bakery on Tuesday; Another customer was trying to find out if their medical prescriptions would be transferred to another King Soopers location. A third customer knocked over several shopping carts in anger.
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The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed to KRDO on Tuesday that a complaint was filed last week about possible asbestos exposure at the store and that an inspector is investigating.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, a union representing 105 workers at the store, also released a statement saying: “…the allegations suggest that both members and customers have been exposed to a substance that causes cancer may be presenting a serious health risk.”
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Loretta Guy, a union representative, said employees received a recorded message from company headquarters explaining they will be paid until the end of the week before being reassigned to other King Soopers stores.
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“I’ve worked at the store for six years and I also have two sons who work there,” she said. “I first heard about the asbestos concern on the night shift a week and a half ago. They said the builders covered the pharmacy with plastic and installed a ventilation system through the pharmacy. And then everyone was worried.” “What’s going on? Nobody was wearing any mask, hazmat suits or anything else to protect themselves.”
Some customers are unhappy that King Soopers officials didn’t draw attention to the problem sooner and are notifying them – and the staff – sooner.
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“How long will it take you to figure that out?” asked one customer. “What are they going to do with all that food there? How long did they know about it before they told us? Why didn’t they inform customers and employees better?”
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Asbestos is a fire-resistant material that was primarily used for building insulation before the 1980’s; Exposed asbestos fibers can cause lung damage if inhaled.
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Other King Soopers locations that will be open include:
- 1750 W Uintah St Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- 815 Cheyenne Meadows Rd Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- 7915 Constitution Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80951