In response to the tragic death of Department of Public Works (DPW) crewmember Ronald Silver II at the end of last week and as part of our ongoing commitment to employee safety, DPW will conduct a mandatory heat safety training session on Tuesday, August 6. This session will focus on the Occupational Safety Health Administration’s guidelines for recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and related illnesses and ensure employees recognize heat stress hazards and act appropriately to address those hazards. It is required for all employees from the Reedbird and Bowleys Lane facilities. Transportation will be provided to accommodate all staff.
While Tuesday’s training targets Reedbird and Bowleys Lane employees, this series of sessions will be offered to all DPW employees and is in addition to DPW’s ongoing heat education efforts. Normal duties will resume on Wednesday, August 7. Due to the training, trash and recycling collections will be suspended on Tuesday, August 6, with a make-up day scheduled for Saturday, August 10. Residents can call 311 to confirm if they are affected by this schedule change.
Service Adjustments:
On Tuesday, drop-off centers will remain open to residents and haulers during regular operation hours:
DPW remains committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our frontline workers as the City grapples with the impact of extreme heat. We will continue to assess working conditions at all sites and make necessary adjustments to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
DPW is currently assisting the Maryland Office of Safety and Health (“MOSH”) as they investigate the circumstances around Mr. Silver’s death. As part of standard procedure, the Baltimore Police Department’s (BPD) Special Investigation Unit is conducting its own review of the incident. We are fully cooperating with both efforts and request that any inquiries specifically about the investigation be directed to the Baltimore Police Department, as this remains an active investigation.
Throughout the Summer, the department has worked to provide real-time solutions as high temperatures continue to impact Solid Waste operations. Some of the additional resources include c ooling stations at the Reedbird and Bowleys Lane Sanitation Yards. New trailers are now available to provide crews with relief from the heat. Before the arrival of the new trailers, DPW used Charm City Circulator buses as cooling stations. Solid Waste supervisors also deliver ice, cold water, and Gatorade throughout each shift. Ice machines have been repaired, and additional freezers are on-site to ensure ice is stocked and available.
In the long term, the Scott Administration has sought to make investments in facilities that have been neglected for decades, committing over $20 million for the renovation of DPW’s Solid Waste facilities over the next three years. These improvements are integral to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), with construction expected to begin as soon as next year. Funding allocations include:
Looking to get rid of an old mattress? Baltimore City residents can now drop off mattresses and box springs for recycling at the Baltimore City Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Quarantine Road Landfill Residential Drop-Off Center. In the coming months, DPW will expand this mattress recycling service to other Residential Drop-Off Centers across the city.
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that all DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSED on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2024. During the Labor Day closure, trash and recycling collection, as well as street sweeping, WILL NOT be conducted.
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is preparing for a possible pause in trash, recycling, and mechanical street sweeping operations this week to protect frontline sanitation workers. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Wednesday, August 28, warning that the heat index could climb to over 96 degrees. Recognizing the unique challenges Solid Waste workers face while performing their essential duties, DPW is reevaluating its operations to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of this vital workforce.
