Revista CIPA – edition 462 March / 2018 Interview Raul Casanova – Executive Director of Animaseg

In the case of a national association that has been active for 40 years, what do you think about the achievements and main initiatives of Animaseg for the Safety and Labor Protection Material industry? (incentives, legislation, partnerships, professionalization etc.)

A: When Animaseg was founded in 1978, Brazil was the country with the highest number of work-related accidents in the world.
That year, in addition to the founding of Animaseg on April 15, on June 8, a very important fact that occurred was the publication of the regulatory standards related to Safety and Occupational Medicine of the Labor Code, by Ordinance 3214, which regulated the entire security sector in Brazil and changed the reality of the Brazilian worker. Noteworthy is also the launch of the CIPA Journal (Notebook Information for Accident Prevention), which is still one of the most important publications of the sector.
To show the scenario of the time, we cannot ignore the positive impact that the automobile industry had in the 1960s with the implementation of various concepts, materials and protective equipment, largely brought about by multinational companies that brought with them a mentality of prevention, which did not exist in Brazil. Thus, the culture of accident prevention was incorporated into the various segments of the Brazilian market, reducing the number of accidents at work.
Since then, Animaseg has been following and actively participating in the evolution of the sector and industry, being a channel of relationship with nursing professionals, occupational physicians, engineers and technicians of work safety, psychologists, audiologists, risk inspectors, patrimonial security, cipa members, firemen, managers, directors, buyers, among others.
In 1996, the association proposed to ABNT (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas) the creation of a Techical Committee to address the issues related to the area of EPI’s – equipment of individual protection. ABNT accepted the proposal, provided that Animaseg offered the entire infrastructure for its operation. Thus, the CB32 (Comitê Brasileiro de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual) was established, which today has 19 study commissions to elaborate technical standards for each type of PPE.
Animaseg follows and participates, therefore, of the evolution of the Brazilian Technical Standards, and similarly, monitors and participates in the evolution of the Regulatory Standards in particular NR. 06, which rules the PPE, and its last review in 2002, the implementation of Inmetro system in the second half of the first decade of the millennium, and a significant change in 2009, when it became required laboratory tests for all types of equipment.
Among many other initiatives, since 2012, Animaseg has signed an agreement with APEX Brasil with the Brazilian Safety project, whose objective is to promote the increase in exports of personal protective equipment especially to Latin American countries.
Another important milestone in the entity’s trajectory occurred in 2008, when it complete 30 years, when it was created the Comend of Safety at Work, to honor all the professionals who stand out in favor of the improvements of its area of performance. The event entered to the annual Animaseg and industry calendar.

What is the profile of the associated companies and how many are currently affiliated with Animaseg?

A: Today there are 170 associated companies, which holds about 80% to 85% of the Brazilian market. The largest companies in the sector, both national and multinational, are associated, but most are between medium and small companies.

Given the current scenario in the country’s economy and politics, how has the industry sought alternatives to remain competitive?

A: Basically, expanding the area of action within the Brazilian market itself, where there are a large number of workers still without any protection against the risks they face daily.
That is, we still have an untapped potential market that opens up opportunities for the domestic industry.
We estimate that today we have 45% of workers in the informal economy, 15% of statutory workers and civil servants and 40% of workers in the formal economy.
Thus, our estimate is that there are at least 50% of the unpaid workers, and therefore, although in the short term we are impacted by the country’s economy, there is still a lot of room to grow.

How were the sector’s results in 2017 and what are the perspectives for 2018?

A: In the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, sales of personal protective equipment industry fell compared to 2013, 8% in 2013 to 2015 and 2% in 2016.
In 2017, the market has stabilized and already pointed to slightly positive figures. For 2018, our perspectives are good, as well as the signs of recovery, and e estimate the sector to grow 3%.

Is the Brazilian industry of safety and worker protection material competitive? How is Brazil
positioned in relation to other countries?

A: We understand that it is very competitive, especially in Latin America, where Brazilian industry stands out, with certified quality products (Ministry of Labor and Inmetro) at competitive prices.
We are still input suppliers to the major markets of PPE, which are still the American and European.

What aspects would you highlight of the partnership with Cipa Fiera Milano for the FISP – International Security and Safety Fair?

A: FISP has been instrumental in bringing knowledge and new technologies to industry and industry professionals since its inception and Animaseg has been your partner and participant since the beginning.
From 2004 onwards, this partnership was closer when FISP was merged with FISST (Fair where Animaseg was one of the three organizers) and the event became bi- annual. From that moment the partnership strengthened even more, making FISP/FISST the 2nd largest security fair in the world, only surpassed by A + A in Germany.

What actions shall Animaseg have at FISP this year?

As it has been done in other editions of FISP, we shall organize three days of International Business Rounds, joint action with the Apex-Brazil Buyer Project, with the coming of resellers throughout Latin America.
In this opportunity and within the agreement with Apex-Brasil, we shall also bring journalists and leaderships in the area of Normatization and Certification of these countries to participate in the FISP.
As a novelty, we are assessing, jointly with CIPA Fiera Milano, the feasibility of conducting a Technical-Commercial Round with Brazilian consumer companies.

How do you see Animaseg in 10 years?
A: Animaseg has been notable for its pro activity in all aspects, technical and commercial and we intend to continue as protagonists in 10 years.
Today, our concern is to prepare the companies for the technological advance that we are already facing in all fields, with the internet of things and Industry 4.0., In addition to working so that all Brazilian workers are protected from the risks they face daily in their jobs.