Plant Services - May 2008 - (Page 16) UP AND RUNNING Siemens announces ‘exiderdome’ U.S. tour S iemens Energy & Automation Inc. announced that exiderdome, a traveling technology expo and learning laboratory, will begin the U.S. leg of its world tour in Chicago this summer. “To reaffirm our commitment to our American customers, we are bringing productivity solutions for their businesses right to their doorstep,” says Thomas Varney, Siemens vice president of communications. “Increased productivity for our customers enables them to be more competitive and successful in the marketplace, which, in turn, results in a stronger relationship with Siemens.” Alternatively called The World of Automation, exiderdome brings the latest automation technology directly to Siemens customers in the manufacturing and industrial facilities segments. With nearly 10,000 square feet of space, it will offer visitors a wide range of training and learning events focused on the latest developments in security, energy and the environment, innovation, productivity and other key business challenges. Siemens executives and outside experts, including industry analysts, futurists, academics and dignitaries, will lead the learning events. “Exiderdome not only brings the latest manufacturing automation and training innovations to Siemens customers around the world, it is also a feat of engineering in and of itself. From its unique shipping container construction to its 4-ton audio/visual system, exiderdome is a thoroughly modern marvel,” Varney adds. The traveling structure consists of 55 containers, arranged in a two-story building about 50 yards long, and includes eight product venues, conference rooms, an executive lounge and a central atrium that can be used for receptions, training sessions, multimedia presentations and black-tie events. Once assembled, it is entirely self-contained, including airconditioning, heat, wireless Internet, power generators and a kitchen with hot and cold running water. A 17-member crew keeps exiderdome running. The dome will be assembled on an ocean-going barge at its U.S. debut in Chicago, then sails to its next three U.S. stops plus three Canadian cities along the St. Lawrence Seaway. To reach its final five U.S. destinations, it will be transferred to a convoy of 55 tractor trailers. The company expects more than 9,000 people to visit exiderdome between July 2008 and May 2009. Scheduled stops include Chicago (July 21-25); Detroit (Aug. 8-15); Boston (Oct. 18-23); New York (Nov. 1-7); Charlotte (Dec. 8-12); Orlando (Feb. 2-6, 2009); Los Angeles (March 5-11, 2009); Denver (April 6-10, 2009); and Houston (May 4-8, 2009). For more information, see www.exiderdome.com/us. Who’s paying for your PPE? A 16 s of May 15, OSHA’s final rule on employer payment for personal protective equipment (PPE) must be implemented. Under the new rule, all required PPE, with a few exceptions, must be provided at no cost to employees. Some of the things employers do not have to pay for are: • Non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear (e.g., steeltoe shoes/boots) • Non-specialty prescription safety eyewear • Sunglasses/sunscreen • Lineman’s boots • Ordinary cold weather gear (coats, parkas, cold weather gloves, winter boots) • Back belts • Dust mask/respirators used under the voluntary use provisions in Sec.1910.134. • Laser safety goggles A more comprehensive list can be found at www.jj keller.com/news/newsinfo/ W_news2232.htm?action_ code=21691. The rule does not specify the method that employers must use to pay for PPE. Many employers use allowances or reimbursement systems, or maintain a stock of PPE and hand it out to their employees. All these methods are acceptable, as long as the employee receives the PPE at no cost. May 2008 www.PLANTSERVICES.com http://www.exiderdome.com/us http://www.jjkeller.com/news/newsinfo/W_news2232.htm?actioncode=21691 http://www.jjkeller.com/news/newsinfo/W_news2232.htm?actioncode=21691 http://www.jjkeller.com/news/newsinfo/W_news2232.htm?actioncode=21691 http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com
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