"Companies often prioritize machine safety only after inspections by authorities!"

Enyoj our nterview with Marco Carnovali, Representative of Repar2 - Machine Guards - Protezioni per Macchine Utensili on Industrial Safety Guards.

How did Repar2 started its business and where does it stand today in the global safety guards market?

Marco Carnovali (MC): Repar simply means "cover" in the dialect of city Legnano, our family's origin. My father, Mr. Pierluigi Carnovali, and his partner embarked on this journey over 50 years ago to protect workers from splinters and chips while operating lathes and milling machines.

Repar2, through relentless efforts, has emphasized that ensuring machine tool safety is neither an unnecessary nor a postponable expense.

They started as third suppliers for a major company in Varese, developing the first prototypes and guards for milling machines, paving the way for the birth of REPAR. Today, Repar2 is a leading manufacturer in the global safety guards market, offering standard guards and customized solutions worldwide.

As workers collaborate more with automated machinery, what role do safety guards play?

MC: Safety guards have become essential due to a change in operators' mindset. Both younger and experienced operators are increasingly demanding safety measures in workshops. While automated machines are prevalent, many workshops globally still use traditional dated machines. Safety guards are vital to ensure compliance with safety regulations and protect workers.

We are witnessing a significant shift in mentality regarding workplace safety. It's a daily discussion and a constantly evolving subject.

What is the future of the safety guards industry? Is it a growing business, and how do production companies view safety in workshops?

MC: Workplace safety is a priority for new generations of employers and legislators. Repar2 contributes its expertise to safety turnkey projects. Integrating safety services and products into operational processes enhances productivity, reduces costs, optimizes resources, and resolves issues. Workplace accidents, even minor ones, can lead to severe injuries, resulting in increased costs due to loss of working resources and time.

Based on over 50 years of experience, what critical safety lessons can Repar2 share with the market?

MC: In the past, making machine tools safe was considered an avoidable expense. Repar2, through relentless efforts, has emphasized that ensuring machine tool safety is neither an unnecessary nor a postponable expense. Workplace safety is a necessity and a duty for both employers and workers. We've worked to shift this mindset globally and highlight the importance of workplace safety.

According to your opinion, what is the current state of safety guard awareness in the SEE (South-East Europe) market, and what improvements can be made?

MC: We are witnessing a significant shift in mentality regarding workplace safety. It's a daily discussion and a constantly evolving subject. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done, especially in terms of legislative frameworks and equipment controls. Companies often prioritize machine safety only after inspections by authorities. The key shift needed is to foster an intrinsic awareness of working in complete safety, moving from a reactive approach to proactive, preventative safety measures.

Want to see how custom made safeguards would benefit your workshops?

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