MRSA strikes House of Representatives gym

WASHINGTON — The gym that is used as a workout and recreational facility by some of Washington's most powerful and influential people has been invaded by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to InjuryBoard.com.

As a precautionary measure, the House of Representatives gym has been thoroughly disinfected with Simple Green D Pro 3 disinfectant and anyone who frequents the facility has been provided with literature about the infection, the story stated.

The House Chief Administrative Officer said: "A House employee has reportedly contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). That House employee is also a member of the House Staff Fitness Center (HSFC)."

Some lawmakers often sleep in their offices and use the gym facilities to shower, the story noted.

It remains unknown how or where the employee contracted the infection, the story added.

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DuPont workers urged to take unpaid leave

BELLE, WV — Roughly 125 salaried workers at DuPont's Belle chemical plant have been asked to take two weeks off without pay by the end of the year, according to the Charleston Gazette.

DuPont claims the voluntary unpaid furloughs will save the company money it has lost during the recession, the story stated.

Roger Hess, human resources manager at the Belle plant, said: "DuPont, like everybody else, is having a tough time during the recession. We're looking at ways to conserve cash and preserve jobs. You can do it a week at a time, or you can do it in single days. The employees can manage it the way they want to."

DuPont has stated that they have no intention to decrease salaries or bonuses for executives.

The voluntary furlough program does not affect the plant's 270 hourly workers, the story noted.

DuPont's senior corporate officers have been asked to take three weeks off without pay by the end of the year, the story added.

According to the story, the furloughs are strictly voluntary, so it remains unknown how many, if any employees will participate.

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The top 10 greenest buildings

WASHINGTON — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected its 2009 top 10 greenest buildings list, according to Greener Buildings.

The winners will be honored at the AIA's National Convention and Design Expo April 30-May 2 in San Francisco, the story stated.

Included on the list are the following Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rated buildings: The Chartwell School in Seaside, CA; the Great River Energy headquarters in Maple Grove, MN; the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, IL; the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, TX; and the Synergy at Dockside Green in Victoria, BC, Canada, the story noted.

The remaining building on the 2009 list have incorporated several energy efficient and sustainable aspects, they include: The Charles Hostler Student Center in Beirut, Lebanon; the Gish Apartments in San Jose, CA; The Terry Thomas in Seattle, WA; the Portola Valley Town Center in Portola Valley, CA; and the world headquarters for the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Yarmouth Port, MA, the story added.

To see a listing of previous winners, click here.

Kimberly-Clark acquires safety products company

IRVING, TEXAS — Kimberly-Clark Corporation has acquired Jackson Products Inc., according to a press release.

Jackson Products is a safety products and personal protective equipment (PPE) company based in Fenton, MO, the release stated.

Jan Spencer, president of Kimberly-Clark Professional, said: "The acquisition of Jackson Safety is consistent with our global business plan strategy to accelerate growth of high-margin workplace solutions. Jackson Safety brings a wealth of strengths to Kimberly-Clark's professional business, including an outstanding product portfolio and a highly experienced sales force. It enables us to focus resources more effectively by increasing sales and marketing manpower to support growth in safety while at the same time dedicating other teams that will help us sustain our leadership position and grow our traditional washroom and wiper businesses."

Jackson Products employs 400 people, all of which will remain employed with the company, but now under the Kimberly-Clark banner, the release noted.

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W.W. Grainger posts first-quarter loss

LAKE FOREST, IL — JanSan distributor W.W. Grainger posted a first-quarter net income decline of 16 percent, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Net income for the quarter was $96.4 million, down from $114.2 million in the year-ago quarter, the story stated.

W.W. Grainger President and Chief Executive Jim Ryan said: "We do not believe that we've seen the bottom to the sales decline and expect increased pricing pressure throughout the remainder of the year."

Total quarterly revenue fell 11 percent to $1.47 billion, narrowly missing analysts' expectations of $1.49 billion, the story noted.

Weber County gets a LEED-Gold library

WASHINGTON TERRACE, UT — Weber County's Pleasant Valley library has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to WARN-TV.

The 38,000-square-foot building was built with recycled steel and has a price tag of $9 million, the story stated.

The building, which will officially open April 23, is designed to be more energy efficient than a comparable non-LEED building of its size by using renewable energy sources to generate at least 35 percent of its power, the story noted.

A unique sustainable aspect of the building is the preferred parking for alternative fuel vehicles and the charging stations for electric vehicles, the story added.

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LEED-Platinum cheese factory

PICTON, ON, Canada — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification has been achieved by the Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company factory and retail outlet, according to the Journal of Commerce.

Lapointe Architects was responsible for the design of the facility, while Enermodal Engineering served as the energy efficiency consultant for the project that was built by K. Knudsen Construction Ltd. for $2 million, the story stated.

The key to the facility's 15 percent energy savings over a comparable non-LEED building is the water-to-water-to-ground heat pump system, the story noted.

According to the story, additional energy savings are achieved through the use of a 1.8 kilowatt wind turbine and 9.4 square meters of photovoltaic panels.

A rainwater collection system that powers the flush of each low-flow toilet and abundant natural lighting, as well as subterranean cheese-aging cave facilities that reduce cooling costs, are some of the many sustainable aspects of the building that reduce water and energy usage, the story added.

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