The Baltimore City Council recently held a rigorous oversight hearing scrutinizing the Department of Public Works (DPW), particularly focusing on their Bureau of Solid Waste, following a chain of events that has put the agency under intense scrutiny. According to CBS News Baltimore, the council's action comes after a report released by the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General revealed extended problems with employee safety and morale.
Councilman Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer, at the committee's helm, stated their objective is to tackle the systemic issues within DPW, which would include improving the employees' quality of life and enhancing service delivery. Moreover, the DPW's troubled history with worker safety was brought to light following the death of Ronald Silver II due to heatstroke – a tragic consequence of the department's oversight amidst scorching temperatures that nearly touched 100 degrees.
Director Khalil Zaied faces the uphill battle of reestablishing trust and safety within an agency battered by reports of toxic culture and safety negligence. In the past, management has been accused of mistreating employees and retorting to retaliate against those reporting injuries, leading to a culture where workers are left to languish under hazardous conditions with insufficient protective gear and broken amenities. Despite acknowledging the citation issued by the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) and promising renewed focus on workplace safety and communications, Zaied told WBAL-TV that the department is considering innovative measures like bringing additional workers to assist under severe heat conditions.
Actions are underway, with DPW working on new procedures for extreme weather, improved accident reports, and more leadership and risk management training. The council questioned Zaied about these changes and the low wages that make it hard for workers like Reginald Peaks, a 16-year DPW veteran, to make ends meet. According to FOX Baltimore, employees, including Peaks, are struggling with low morale and small paychecks, as he shared emotionally at the council hearing.
The Department of Public Works now finds itself at a critical juncture, striving to implement change in the face of previous failures, public outcry, and a harrowing inspector general's report. City council members are calling for accountability and positive change, with the power to influence the agency's fate dangling from the strings of the city's budget.
