Ohio inmates to replace laid-off janitors

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Civil Service Employees Association filed a grievance against the state earlier this week after plans were announced to use prisoners to replace laid-off Statehouse janitors and groundskeepers, according to an Associated Press story hosted by Google.com.

After Governor Ted Strickland ordered a $640 million reduction in state government operations last year, the Statehouse lost 17 janitorial and maintenance employees, the story stated.

If the plan is approved, two inmates will work as groundskeepers and another five as nighttime janitors, the story noted.

The inmates will wear uniforms identifying them as prisoners and will be supervised by a guard while they work, the story added.

According to the story, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said it's unaware of any other state directly replacing laid-off workers with inmates.

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New superbug-killing paint

VERMILLION, SD — A team of scientists from the University of South Dakota have developed a paint strong enough to kill superbugs that infect hospital patients and kill thousands of people annually, according to WebMD.

According to research published in the American Chemical Society’s journal, Applied Materials & Interfaces, the paint kills disease-causing bacteria, mold, fungi and viruses, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).

The new paint won’t completely eliminate the transmission of such infections, but has the potential to significantly reduce the risks of infection, the story stated.

Unlike this new paint that has a broad range of kill claims, antimicrobial paints in stores now provide protection against only a narrow range of disease-causing microorganisms, the story noted.

This new paint, which is designed to decorate and disinfect, stays potent for extended periods of time and can be recharged with a simple chlorination process, the story added.

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Janitors protest unsafe conditions

LOS ANGELES — Janitors who work for Albertsons Grocery stores in several Southern California locations protested outside of the stores over alleged unsafe working conditions, according to KPFK-FM.

The janitors claim the cleaning chemicals issued to them are toxic and they have not been trained on their proper use and do not have access to personal protective equipment (PPE), the story stated.

The janitors were also upset that the supermarket chain is trying to reduce health care coverage and force more of the cost burden on the workers, the story noted.

According to the story, the janitors were demonstrating with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) group Justice for Janitors.

Protests were staged earlier this week at Albertsons chains in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, San Diego and Santa Barbara, the story added.

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Hospital cleaners experience hair loss and respiratory problems

NANAIMO, BC, Canada — After introducing toxic chemicals to eradicate an outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C. diff), cleaners at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital have experienced respiratory ailments and hair loss, according to the Nanaimo Daily News.

According to WorkSafe B.C., a workplace watchdog, Compass Group Canada, the company contracted to clean the hospital, failed to provide adequate training for its employees, did not provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to cleaners working with corrosive chemicals in areas with inadequate air ventilation systems.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority is being urged to take responsibility for vetting the health and safety record of Compass Group Canada, the story stated.

Cleaning employees suffered from nose inflammation, respiratory problems, skin irritation, fatigue and hair loss when working with Virox 5, the toxic chemical used to eliminate the spread of C. diff, the story noted.

After WorkSafe B.C. conducted an inspection of the facility last year, 16 health and safety concerns were noted against Compass Group Canada; this latest inspection noted only five, the story added.

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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.