Trash and recycling crews around Baltimore paused work due to extreme heat Wednesday.
“This morning our crews started early to beat the heat, but due to the extreme temperatures, all collections and solid waste operations have now concluded for the day,” the Department of Public Works said around 6 p.m.
Temperatures by the Inner Harbor broke 90 degrees after 10 a.m. and peaked at 99 around 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 80s on Thursday.
“Our leadership and management teams were in the field today, actively communicating with crews, and assessing the impact of the heat in real-time,” DPW spokesperson Mary Stewart said. “If and when conditions become unsafe, we are fully prepared to suspend operations and will resume them when it is safe to do so.”
Residents whose trash or recycling was missed should call 311 to report it, as crews will address missing pickups this week, DPW said.
On Aug. 2 when temperatures hit 99 degrees, 36-year-old DPW worker Ronald Silver II died on the job of hyperthermia, according to the medical examiner. In July, before Silver’s death, a report from the city’s inspector general said DPW facilities and trucks had broken air conditioning and did not provide enough water, ice and fans for workers.
On the decision to halt services Wednesday, Stewart said the move is not a “permanent benchmark” and that the department is still working with an outside firm to review their policies.
“Once that assessment is complete, we will work with them, the union, and all other relevant stakeholders to outline any necessary changes to our approach,” she said. “In the meantime, we will continue to adjust as needed and take necessary precautions like today’s announcement.”
