Mayor announces independent review of DPW's safety practices

Baltimore has hired a firm to conduct an independent review of DPW's safety practices.

They've hired Conn Maciel Carey LLP, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm specializing in workplace safety, to conduct a review of DPW’s safety policies, practices, and procedures, specifically as they pertain to heat safety.

This announcement comes from Mayor Brandon Scott and Acting DPW Director Khail Zaied.

The firm starts work this week, with a final set of recommendations expected by the end of September.

After the review is finished, there will be recommendations that improve the safety of all city employees.

Earlier this week, Baltimore City Council announced a hearing focused on the working conditions at DPW following the death of a worker.

RELATED: Baltimore City Council to hold hearing on working conditions at DPW

The Rules and Legislative Oversight Committee will meet on Thursday, August 22 at 5:00 p.m.

The announcement came on the same day the fiance and mother of Ronald Silver, the DPW worker that died of heat exhaustion on August 2, spoke publicly for the first time.

"I'm so hurt. I've been doing my best to keep it together for my children for our children for his mom and the rest of the family but i'm a wreck honestly," says fiancé Renee Garrison.

It's been two weeks since Silver's untimely death. He was finishing his shift as a solid waste worker in the Barclay area of Northeast Baltimore before dying due to heat exhaustion.

Garrison says the two were together for twelve years. She says Silver was more than her lover and parent to their children. He was the ultimate provider.

"That man would've done anything for us. Anything. His favorite thing to do was to make us happy," says Garrison.

His mother Faith Johnson also took time to rave about her son.

"My son was my first born king and he took that job very seriously. He provided for us and he protected us," says Johnson.

Not a moment goes by where she doesn't think of her first born.

"I miss his voice. I miss his scent. I miss his hugs. I don't ever want any other mother to have to experience the loss of a child to a very preventable illness," says Johnson.