Baltimore DPW failed to provide water and cooling for workers amid heatwave, inspector finds

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore City sanitation employees have been working in the sweltering heat without the city providing water or a cooling facility.

Baltimore's Inspector General first uncovered the dangerous conditions last month, and in a surprise inspection Wednesday, found they had not been corrected. 

"The only thing that was available was some hot water in a trash can. There was no Gatorade. There was no ice," Inspector General Isabel Cumming told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. 

Report Details Poor Conditions 

Cumming was shocked at what she found during an inspection at the Department of Public Works' Reedbird Cherry Hill yard: A few bottles of warm water floating in a trash can, no working air conditioning or water fountains, only warm water coming from the faucets, a thermostat registering above 83 degrees Fahrenheit at 6 in the morning.

That was on one of the hottest days of the year when the heat index later rose above 100 degrees. 

She also found that some trucks had no working air conditioning. 

"The trash bucket with no lining was also their ice bucket, so they were supposed to—if they needed ice—they were supposed to get ice and drink it from that trash bucket," Cumming said. "When you go into the locker room, no air, a fan that was moving the slowest I've ever seen. I walked over to where you wash your hands—no cold water there either."

She called it a "big wake-up call."

Asked about the response of the supervisors, Cumming said, "They told me they couldn't talk to me."

Prior Complaint

Her inspection followed new complaints to her office two weeks after the acting DPW director assured her he made changes including providing more than four thousand bottles of Gatorade and cooler uniforms.

"I don't think people realize that my office will go back out and verify," Cumming said. "…It violates human standards. The people who choose to work here in Baltimore deserve better."

Unions Respond

Patrick Moran heads the local chapter of AFSCME, a union that represents some of the workers. He told Hellgren the issues are not confined to Cherry Hill. 

"It's going to be a problem again and again and again. We reached out to the city and they said they're trying to get on top of this, and we said we need relief now," Moran said. "We said you need to get out there and fix these things, and you need to address them. Our members are doing the work, that's for sure. And the management needs to do their work in terms of supplying the employees what they need everywhere—not just in Cherry Hill, but all over the city."

The City Union of Baltimore issued this statement to WJZ. 

"The recent findings of Inspector General Cumming are deeply troubling and of great concern. CUB has been attempting to provide stopgap solutions to ensure city workers have accommodations that allow them to do their jobs in crippling heat. We have gone so far as to purchase bottles of water and bags of ice and deliver them to city offices. While we concede that is not enough, we do expect and demand more from Baltimore."

DPW Takes Action

The Department of Public Works said in a statement they "recognize the challenging conditions our employees face while performing their essential duties, and we are committed to taking every possible measure to protect them."

They also pointed out they got a new ice machine and "supervisors made multiple trips delivering water on site."

Cumming acknowledged there have been changes. "This morning at Reedbird, there were four senior administrators. There was water. There was Gatorade. And again, the ice machine worked. It shouldn't take that and that's one place. I'm now worried about the other places."

Inspector General's Continuing Commitment 

Cumming promised she will follow up and has a message to city workers. 

"I am very concerned about these workers. I urge them to call the office, to let us know because if we can get the word out about what's happening, we will," she said. "Our job is to put the facts out so the people who can make a difference will make a difference."

This all happened as the city's health department put out alerts warning the public of dangerous heat. Another heat wave is expected next week. 

DPW acknowledges the Reedbird facility needs repairs including a new air conditioning system and said they are currently in the design phase.

Workers can contact Cumming's office at 1-800-417-0430 or by emailing OIG@BaltimoreCity.gov 

She said people can remain anonymous and their identities will be protected. 

You can read the full Inspector General's report here. 

DPW Statement

This is the full response from the Department of Public Works:

"The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) acknowledges and takes full responsibility for the health and safety of our dedicated staff. We recognize the challenging conditions our employees face while performing their essential duties, and we are committed to taking every possible measure to protect them. Each year, we take proactive steps, particularly in the Bureau of Solid Waste, to prepare for summer temperatures. Our efforts include:

1. Equipment: We supply our employees with necessary protective gear, including lightweight, breathable clothing.
2. Education and Training: We provide comprehensive training to educate employees and their supervisors about the risks of heat-related illnesses and the importance of taking preventive measures, per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
3. Resources to Keep Cool: We ensure all work sites are equipped with ample supplies of water, shaded rest areas, and cooling stations.

At the Reedbird Sanitation Yard, we took corrective actions before the start of the summer season, recognizing the need for facility repairs. Noting issues with the onsite ice machine, we worked with approved vendors to replace vital parts and purchased an additional ice machine. Today, one is fully operational, and another ice machine is expected this week.

To ensure employees had access to cool water and ice, supervisors made multiple trips to deliver water on-site. Additionally, we secured 20 cases of water (stocked in preparation for the season) and 5,000 bottles of Gatorade. While we await back-ordered parts for the onsite air conditioner, portable air conditioners are installed and are working properly. 

Ultimately, the Reedbird Sanitation Yard requires facility upgrades. We are currently in the design phase for these improvements. During construction, we plan to address and complete repairs to the air conditioning system, floors, lockers, and other necessary updates to ensure a better working environment for our employees."