Baltimore City Council scrutinizes DPW policies after worker’s heat-related death

By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writertmcqueen@afro.comBaltimore City Council members pressed the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) for better communication with employees and policies at a much-anticipated city council hearing on Aug. 22.This hearing comes after the heat-related death of DPW worker Ronald Silver II, 36, on Aug. 2. The council acknowledged the family during the hearing and gave them a platform to speak about their loss.“This pain is indescribable, and it is not anything I would wish on my worst enemy,” said Faith Johnson, Silver’s mother.& Johnson commended the council for calling the hearing, but pushed the need for the city “to do what should have been done before my son died.”“Don’t play politics with my son’s life,” she said.Throughout the hearing ​​city council members questioned the city’s decision to hire Conn Maciel Carey, a D.C.-based law firm, to do an independent investigation of DPW’s work conditions and practices.“This is a firm that represents companies largely trying to push back on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),” said Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-District 01).A proposed OSHA heat stress ruling would mandate certain employers give workers access to regular hydration, rest breaks and cooling areas among a host of other...