OIG report: Unsafe working conditions found at DPW Patapsco Wastewater treatment plant

BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — The latest Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report for the city of Baltimore found unsafe working conditions at the Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant earlier this month.

According to the report, the OIG received a complaint alleging poor working conditions at the plant at 3501 Asiatic Avenue.

The complaint alleged that DPW employees were working in unsafe conditions, including extreme heat with temperatures at 86 degrees.

On July 1, the OIG visited sections of the Patapsco Plant and spoke with DPW employees.

At one entrance employees used, the OIG found cracked and broken concrete flooring.

While the air conditioning in the main hallways appeared to work and cooled the area, employees said that it doesn’t typically cool the building.

During the visit, the OIG saw maintenance being performed on the building’s air conditioning, but found that it did not extend to the men’s locker room and other areas.

It was found that the temperature inside the men’s locker room was 89.6 degrees.

The air conditioner attached to the wall was not working despite being set at 60 degrees, the report said.

Employees told the OIG that the showers in the facility were not functioning, and there was a broken urinal in the locker room.

Doors to the facility were found to be propped open, and an employee told the OIG that there is poor ventilation for chemicals being used at the site, and that employees could see a “chemical haze” upon arrival in the building.

According to the report, a ventilation fan was not working in a room that contained chemicals, and an employee said it had been broken for several years, which may violate Occupational Safety and Health regulations.

Inside the area, the OIG said chemicals could be smelled and heat and humidity were present that contributed to the poor air quality.

An employee said that several employees have reported feeling sick and fatigued with flu-like symptoms.

The report said the OIG learned that there is an illness associated with the chemicals called polymer fume fever.

Inside an employee breakroom, it was found that a kitchen sink, microwave, and prep area were rusting and dirty, and the vents had an unknown “black particulate matter” on them.

At the Pump and Blower building at the plant, the OIG said a pump was leaking and pooling on the floor.

In a chemical lab room inside the plant, there was no working water system in the room, causing the eyewash station to be inoperable and making it difficult to clean the room.

Overall, the OIG found that there were concerns with DPW’s compliance with Occupational Safety and Health regulations, including the Maryland Heat Stress Illness Prevention Standard, ventilation standards, and the Memorandums of Understanding with City labor unions.

At the time of the visit on July 1, there was a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert in effect through July 4, and a forecasted temperature of 104 degrees on July 2.

The OIG recommended immediate action to be taken for solutions to recurring temperature concerns throughout the summer months.

In response, DPW said that loose rock and debris were removed from the floor and that the HVAC system was fixed later on July 1.

Additionally, DPW said that the shower and urinal issues are in the process of being fixed, and the chemical lab is out of service and signage will be posted.

You can read the full OIG report and DPW response above.