By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
The Department of Public Works (DPW) will pause trash and recycling collection on Aug. 6 to conduct mandatory heat safety training after the heat-related death of crew member Ronald Silver II. A make-up day is scheduled for Aug. 10. Normal duties will resume on Aug. 7.
The session will focus on the Occupational Safety Health Administration’s guidelines for knowing the signs of a heat stroke and related illnesses. It also aims to ensure employees notice potential heat stress hazards and know how to address them.
Silver died on Aug. 2 while on the job due to heat exhaustion as confirmed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
“We lost a dedicated crew member of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Solid Waste,” said Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Acting DPW Director Khalil Zaied in a joint statement released on Aug. 3. “Our hearts are first and foremost with him, his family and loved ones and his DPW colleagues as we grapple with this loss.”
This all comes a month after the Office of the Inspector General released a report, which described poor conditions in DPW facilities and company trucks. Issues included an inoperable ice machine in an employee break room and no air conditioning in an employee locker room.
Scott and Zaied said Silver experienced a “medical situation” as the workday was about to conclude on Aug. 2, requiring immediate aid while he and his fellow crew members were in their truck.
“Emergency Medical Services were called, dispatched and Silver was transported to the hospital, where he passed away,” they said.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 14,000 Americans have died directly from heat-related causes since 1979.
In an Aug. 5 news release, DPW said they are working with the Maryland Office of Safety and Health as they investigate the conditions around Silver’s death.
“As part of standard procedure, the Baltimore Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit is conducting its own review of the incident,” said DPW. “We are fully cooperating with both efforts.”
Drop-off centers will remain open to residents:
- Northwest Transfer Station, 5030 Reisterstown Road (7 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Quarantine Road Landfill, 6100 Quarantine Road (9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
- Northwest Residential Drop-off Center, 2840 Sisson Street (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Southwestern Residential Drop-off Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Eastern Residential Drop-off Center, 6101 Bowleys Lane (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
“DPW remains committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our frontline workers as the city grapples with the impact of extreme heat,” said DPW. “We will continue to assess working conditions at all sites and make necessary adjustments to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.”
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