MOB Plumbing Update: Oct. 24, 2023

Dear OCEA member,

OCEA has been working with SSA, Public Works, Risk Management, and Probation to address the most recent flooding incident at MOB, and we want to provide you with an update: 

• Saturday Sept. 30, 2023: Staff working on the fourth floor reported a minor toilet overflow to senior staff. At the time it was reported, staff commented there was only a small amount of water around the drain in the restroom—not active overflow - so it appeared the issue was minimal. Senior staff decided to wait until Monday morning to report this, as the issue appeared minor.

• Monday, Oct. 2, 2023: The fourth floor of MOB was flooded with water overflowing from the toilets. The flood made its way outside of the restrooms and reached the carpet outside of the restrooms. Water also leaked down to the third-floor ceiling where SSA workers work, which caused damage to ceilings and carpet.

• Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023: OCEA joined County representatives for a walkthrough to inquire about the steps being taken to ensure relocation of staff and to ask questions regarding safety and construction. The walkthrough involved OC Public Works, a County Hygienist, and Probation Management.

There was no sewage exposure and minimal impact on the second floor, so management determined staff on that floor did not need to be relocated. The first and fifth floors were not impacted. The first floor was initially reported as impacted, but a follow-up inspection revealed no issues. The fifth-floor restrooms were previously reported to have had overflow issues, but they were inspected, and no issues were found at the time of inspection. However, in an abundance of caution, they were professionally sanitized.

We met again Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, with OC Public Works, Probation, SSA, and Risk Management to discuss next steps:

• SSA & Probation will send a communication to all staff to reiterate the proper steps to take when escalating facility emergencies such as this. This will include:
• Proper inboxes to email.
• How to submit tickets, etc. 
• Reminding staff that if a toilet overflows again, staff are to submit a ticket as restrooms need to be disinfected by a specialist.

• OCEA has requested that all staff who can relocate or telecommute be allowed to do so until repairs are completed on the third and fourth floors. The department has agreed to explore all practicable options for employees. OC Public Works does not know how long the repair and remediation project will take, but agreed to update OCEA and the departments when they have more information. OCEA and the departments will then update all staff. 

• We have also requested the County meet with OCEA to discuss finishing details, if any, prior to employees on the third and fourth floors returning to their work locations. 

The County has been very responsive throughout this process and has kept OCEA apprised of all repairs, testing, and changes since our first walkthrough at MOB on Oct. 3. OCEA will continue to work collaboratively with the County to ensure the safety of impacted staff.

Please stay tuned for updates should any significant changes occur. 

In Solidarity, 

OCEA

Publication Date: October 24, 2023