Posted on 08/23/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Aug. 23, 2024 - The Baltimore City Council held a hearing Thursday night about the condition of DPW facilities and working conditions within the department.
Khalil Zaied, the Director of the Department of Public Works, assured council members there would be accountability as he works to address a culture change within DPW.
"The Mayor will hold me accountable, I will hold my management accountable," Zaied said.
The hearing stems from the death of Ronald Silver II, a DPW worker who died after overheating on the job. Prior to that, the Baltimore City Inspector General, Isabel Mercedes Cumming, released a series of reports detailing poor and hazardous working conditions at DPW. The reports noted issues including workers not getting enough water or Gatorade, not having proper air conditioning or fans, and in some cases, workers did not have access to toilet paper.
"Toilet paper? That is cruel, inhumane and frankly bizarre," Cohen said.
"Since then we have provided obviously, all the toilet paper and everything the dispensers that were needed at all these locations," Zaied said. "The whole action is absolutely, absolutely not acceptable. Not acceptable to me, not acceptable to anyone in the organization, obviously not acceptable to the Mayor or you as well."
"Supervisors and everybody was told that that will have to stop and stop immediately," he added.
When it comes to some of the issues, including the issue related to workers getting enough water and Gatorade, Zaied mentioned he was not made aware of it. During the hearing, Zaied also pointed to trainings and capital improvements that will be completed.
"Why don't we start with listening to the front line workers that have consistently pointed out some of the deficiencies in the agency," Cohen said.