When Safety is Unstoppable

Nov. 24, 2010
It’s dramatic. It’s exaggerated. It’s … Unstoppable. No, I haven’t seen the movie Unstoppable, which is loosely based on a real-life close call when an unmanned runaway train in Ohio created a potentially life-threatening situation back in 2001. The ...

It’s dramatic. It’s exaggerated. It’s … Unstoppable.

No, I haven’t seen the movie Unstoppable, which is loosely based on a real-life close call when an unmanned runaway train in Ohio created a potentially life-threatening situation back in 2001. The train traveled nearly 70 miles at speeds approaching 50 mph before CSX Transportation Inc. employees were able to safely bring it to a stop.

In 2001, EHS Today reported on this runaway train incident. The nearly decade-old article has received quite a few hits since the movie Unstoppable was released Nov. 12 of this year. Again, I haven’t seen it (yet?) but the events have clearly been dramatized to a nearly unrecognizable extent, which is of course to be expected.

But it got me thinking: What other kinds of movies can be based off stories EHS Today has covered? Perhaps a dramatic re-enactment of a family of five struggling to eat healthily during the 6-hour car ride to Grandma’s? Or a documentary following Cirque du Soleil performers embarking on a new injury prevention program? How about a tension-filled drama surrounding OSHA's top 10 violations?

I think I'm on to something. Hollywood, I'll get in touch after the holidays.

Meanwhile, if you end up seeing Unstoppable – please, let us know how it is.

About the Author

Laura Walter Blog | Senior Editor

Laura Walter is senior editor of EHS Today, a Penton Media Inc. publication. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and covers a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence.

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