10/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/24/2024 10:22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, October 24, 2024) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Khalil Zaied, Director of the Department of Public Works ("DPW"), released the findings of an independent review conducted by Conn Maciel Carey LLP ("CMC"), a Washington, D.C.-based law firm, which was tasked with evaluating the heat safety policies, practices and operations of DPW's Bureau of Solid Waste. The findings from this review will support the Department's efforts to develop a comprehensive occupational health and safety program to protect DPW employees.
In August, Mayor Scott and Director Zaied engaged CMC to conduct a thorough review of DPW's heat safety policies and procedures. The independent review identified gaps in the heat safety protocols that protect workers in the Bureau of Solid Waste.
"The release of this independent review marks an important inflection point in our effort to enhance workplace safety for all of Baltimore's frontline workers," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "Many of the recommendations that are outlined in this report go beyond requirements under state or federal law. We will continue to work with all of the relevant stakeholders, including union leadership, partners on the City Council, and with workers themselves to ensure that the City of Baltimore is doing everything in our power to improve worker safety for those who do the hardest, most thankless jobs on behalf of all Baltimoreans. Our hearts continue to be with the family and loved ones of Mr. Ronald Silver. It is my hope that they continue to advocate on behalf of the coworkers that Mr. Silver left behind, as we work together to overcome the historic challenges facing them on the job every day."
"We are committed to protecting our frontline workers," said DPW Director Khalil Zaied. "The department has conducted a line-by-line review of the firm's findings and is taking immediate corrective actions where feasible. Additionally, we have drafted new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for heat-related safety and are evaluating and improving our processes, protocols, and working conditions. These changes represent the first step toward improving our workplace safety culture."
The City invited key stakeholders to meet with the firm conducting the workplace safety review, and, following receipt of the recommendations, briefed members of the Baltimore City Council and the City's labor partners on the findings. In addition, DPW leaders have informed the family of Ronald Silver II, a dedicated Bureau of Solid Waste crew member who passed away, that the independent review has been completed and findings would be shared publicly.
Prior to receiving the firm's findings, DPW had begun taking corrective actions to safeguard its sanitation workforce in response to findings from Baltimore's Office of the Inspector General. In addition to a memorandum outlining the City's efforts, the document includes the complete independent review from CMC and the City's draft Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP), which DPW began drafting before the tragic death of Mr. Silver in August 2024.
As of September 30, 2024, the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("MOSH") now requires employers to implement their own heat safety plans, which will be fulfilled by the draft HIPP once fully implemented.
The full report from the City of Baltimore can be found here.
Independent Review Key Findings
The report identified deficiencies in DPW's heat safety practices and operations:
DPW's Response and Proactive Actions
DPW has proactively implemented key measures to address several of the deficiencies outlined in the independent review:
Next Steps for Safety
The City is committed to finalizing its HIPP, providing improved training for all employees and supervisors, and establishing comprehensive emergency response protocols. The Administration will continue to meet with DPW workers, labor leaders, and other external stakeholders to review these recommendations before formal adoption and implementation. This group will consider the proposed recommendations, and supplement with potential additional recommendations for implementation ahead of summer 2025.
Updates to the public on implementation progress will continue, as the City remains dedicated to ensuring City workers remain safe and healthy on the job.
The full independent review by Conn Maciel Carey and the City's memorandum is available online here.
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