Siemens Energy & Automation announced the launch of “SAFETY: Uncover the Competitive Advantage,” which will be shown in movie theaters in 45 cities across the United States beginning January 23, 2007; highlighting the event is a full-screen movie production, featuring a cast of safety industry experts and companies. The movie provides a big-screen approach to the education and tools needed to turn machine safety into a competitive advantage.

The movie offers an opportunity to learn strategies to meet changing industry safety standards, control operating costs through risk mitigation and improve productivity by making safety a forethought in the design process.

“We’re hoping that such a broad, national reach will provide attendees with easy access to an educational and entertaining forum on emerging safety standards and how to implement safety systems in their operations,” said Tom Kopanski, vice president, Siemens Energy & Automation. “Safety education is critical, however. More than 72 percent of the controls engineers who responded to a 2006 survey by Control Engineering magazine were not aware of all of the recent and dramatic changes in safety standards.”

Each full-screen, high-definition 45-minute cinema presentation features insight from industry leaders in safety. Moviegoers will have a question-and-answer session and access to safety subject-matter experts at the conclusion of the movie. They will receive a Safety Workbook that contains reference material for on-the-job use, such as the latest OSHA standards, a guide to risk assessment, advice on selecting an appropriate safety strategy, and tips to using safety as a competitive advantage. Follow up events, such as safety seminars and lunch-and-learn programs, are available for customers who want to learn more about implementing successful safety strategies.

Lending their expertise to development of the movie “SAFETY: Uncover the Competitive Advantage” were the following:

- Rod Brown and Mike Larose, Kuka Flexible Production Systems Inc.

- Mike Bryant, PTO

- Jay Coughlin, Tim Parmer and J.B. Titus, Siemens Energy & Automation Inc.

- David Felinski, AMT—The Association for Manufacturing

- Heinz Gall, TUV Rheinland Group

- Mark Harned, Astec Industries

- Karl Jacobson, Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.

- Bonnie Jangda, Dematic Corp.

- Bruce Main, Design Safety Engineering Inc.

- Jim Rogers, RWD Technologies

- Steve Ross, Camotion Inc.

- Mike Taubitz , General Motors Corp. and representing AIAG Health and Safety

For more information, the schedule of local events or to register, go to www.safetythemovie.com.     EC