Baltimore County Workers Tackle Extreme Heat While Maintaining Infrastructure

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — As temperatures soar this week, workers from the Baltimore County Department of Public Works (DPW) continue to perform essential maintenance on sewer lines and drains, despite the challenging conditions.

Crew chiefs Marcus Rose and Eric Young are among those facing the heat. Their workdays often extend to 10 hours or more, requiring them to remain focused on their tasks even as the sun beats down.

“We’re not awarded that luxury just to stop,” Rose stated, emphasizing the importance of their role in keeping the county's infrastructure operational.

Working underground poses additional challenges, as Young pointed out. “When we’re working underground — and I’ve been as far as 23 or 24 feet down — there is no breeze. The trench boxes are made out of metal, and the heat just radiates off of it,” he explained.

The extreme heat not only makes their jobs more strenuous but also increases the risk of dehydration. “You sweat out all the water you have in your body, so you have to make sure you stay hydrated,” Young added.

To combat the heat, the DPW has implemented several safety measures. Workers are provided with water and coolers filled with ice, along with access to cooling stations located throughout the county.

Additionally, a protocol is in place that requires workers to take breaks in their vehicles for 15 minutes every hour during extreme heat conditions. “Keeping the trucks running while we’re out on the job keeps it cool inside,” Young noted, ensuring that there is a safe place for workers to cool off if needed.

Reflecting on previous heat waves, Rose recalled a particularly long day earlier this summer. “We worked probably 12 hours that day. But in the middle of that, we pulled our tents out to provide some shade,” he said.

Both crew chiefs encourage anyone working outdoors to take precautions against the heat. “Stay out of direct sunlight for as long as possible and always stay hydrated,” they advised.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).