A Baltimore DPW worker died from overheating. Now, a co-worker is sharing details about that day.

BALTIMORE -- The co-worker of a Baltimore Department of Public Works (DPW) employee who died from overheating while at work over the summer shared details about that day during a news conference Monday morning.

Ronald Silver II died after he overheated while working in extreme temperatures in August, an autopsy found.  

His death sparked calls for the city to better protect its workers. 

On Monday, attorney Thiru Vignarajah joined Silver's co-worker Travis Christian as he detailed the events of that day, explaining how he passed out from the heat about an hour before Silver collapsed and sharing insight into the culture at DPW. 

According to Vignarajah, Christian worked in the same conditions as Silver. On August 2, 2024, both men worked the 6 a.m. shift to pick up trash in Baltimore City neighborhoods. Christian said that morning temperatures were already soaring to nearly 100 degrees. 

"Unfortunately, I ended up passing out shortly before Mr. Silver passed out," Christian said. "When I passed out and hit the ground, I fell and hit the back of my head." 

Christian said Silver shook him awake. 

According to Vignarajah, Christian has not been the same since he collapsed. He had to make several visits to medical professionals and was eventually referred to the emergency department where he was told he could not return to work for several weeks.

Silver collapsed about an hour after Christian.

Christian said as he heard Silver screaming "Help, pick me up," from the opposite side of the trash truck. Once he got around to the other side, Christian found Silver face-down on the ground.

He said it took him several tries to get Silver off the ground as he was feeling exhausted from the heat. He detailed how the truck driver watched as he struggled to get Silver into the truck. 

Shortly after, Christian said he told the driver that he could not go on any longer, saying "It feels like I'm getting ready to die," before he stumbled home. 

When asked if they felt pressured to continue, Christian said, "Me and Mr. Silver felt tremendous pressure on continuing because we know we have to, unfortunately." 

"There's serious consequences behind us not continuing," he added.

According to Vignarajah, Silver collapsed again after walking up to a stranger's house and begging for help. 

"This agency is guilty of creating a culture that is inhumane and unacceptable," Vignarajah said. "They have created a culture where people can't complain even as they endure unbearable inhumane conditions, not once, but every day. In cold, in hot, in the worst imaginable circumstances, they're expected to pick up our trash for a dime on the dollar, and if they complain, they get stuck in a truck without air condition." 

Calls for change at DPW were reignited on November 8 after another worker, Timothy Carwell, was crushed to death by a trash truck. 

Families Respond 

Since the second death, the families of Cartwell and Silver, along with union leaders, have continued to raise concerns about city employees. 

Both families joined DPW workers during a protest after Cartwell's death during which they called for change and accountability from Baltimore leaders. 

"We, the family, and I think I can speak for all who are behind me, want justice," Shantae Carroll, Timothy Cartwell's sister-in-law said. 

Recently, Silver's father sat down with WJZ to share his concerns, saying DPW had "plenty of warnings" that it needed to do more to protect workers from extreme heat, including a report by the city's inspector general weeks before Silver's death.   

The report details the department's heat safety policies and found that it did not have procedures to keep employees safe. The report also found that employees feared they would face retaliation for raising concerns. 

"They are still out there trying to survive," Silver's father said of his son's former co-workers. "They need their jobs. They have to be behind them too. Do the right thing for them. Make sure they have the proper water, supplies, air conditioning. Make the conditions better for them. Not only so they can provide for their family but so they can make it home." 

Leaders Respond 

Following Silver's death in August, union leaders called for immediate change to how workers are treated. 

"The toxic culture at DPW must be gutted," AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Moran said.

Mayor Brandon Scott also acknowledged the work culture allegations, saying "Anybody who is participating in treating our employees the wrong way or doing things like that and we catch you, you will be held accountable." 

The union met with city leaders shortly after the report was released to ensure that changes were on the way. 

Moran called Cartwell's death "totally avoidable," saying, "...it explains why communication in this sort of job is so important, and secondly, why training is so absolutely vital and necessary."

Following Carwell's death, Moran said the union has battled with the city to get data on safety to protect workers. 

"We've been requesting health and safety data for weeks, months now, from the city and we continue to get stonewalled on this," Moran said. "We have reached out to almost every level of government on this thing."

DPW held a safety meeting for its workers following Cartwell's death, but leaders did not announce any new safety measures.

Investigations 

Maryland's Occupational Safety and Health Agency (MOSH) is investigating Cartwell's death.

The agency is also investigating Silver's death. According to Vignarajah, Christian has spoken to several agencies, including MOSH and the Inspector General, to share information related to the investigation.

Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Cumming is conducting an investigation after revealing previous issues within DPS. She expects to share the results of her investigation in January.

Maryland State and Baltimore City Police are both investigating Cartwell's death. No autopsy results have been released.