Regina businesses suffering from city concrete plant dust

Jason MacPherson, owner of the Complete Wheel Shop, says the dust gets so bad at times that some of the store's staff physically can't work and have to go home early.

Some Regina businesses are calling for solutions to the dust exposure coming from the city’s concrete crushing plant.

Jason MacPherson, owner of the Complete Wheel Shop on Wellings Road, says the dust gets so bad at times that some of the store’s staff physically can’t work and often have to go home early, not wanting to return until air is breathable.

“There’s days where your eyes are burning and your nose is burning and you feel it on your skin,” MacPherson said.

“It’s affecting the staff, it’s affecting the product we put out, we’re painting wheels and getting dust in that, it’s an ongoing problem.”

MacPherson purchased and opened the shop about 10 years ago. At the time, he says he didn’t know this would be a problem. But now, the dust has proven to be a constant issue affecting their work, even forcing him to consider selling the shop last year.

He says even on better days, dust residue is apparent throughout the shop.

MacPherson’s problem is shared with his neighbouring businesses. Harpreet Shergill owns Midwest Diesel Repair and Parts in the building next door to the Complete Wheel Shop. Shergill says the dust also makes working difficult, especially for their work as a trucking company, which mostly includes working outdoors.

“When the southeast winds blow, especially in the summer, we get all the dust coming into our shop and it’s so hard to work outside in our trucks because we change tires outside and repairs,” Shergill said.