Green April in Industry: The Role of NR-12 in Occupational Health and Safety

Abril Verde é o mês da conscientização pela Segurança e Saúde no Trabalho, uma campanha nacional voltada à prevenção de acidentes e doenças ocupacionais. No ambiente industrial, essa pauta ganha ainda mais relevância, especialmente quando falamos da segurança de máquinas e equipamentos.

Neste cenário, a NR-12 na segurança do trabalho tem um papel fundamental na preservação de vidas. A norma estabelece requisitos técnicos e legais para que máquinas e equipamentos operem de forma segura — reduzindo riscos, prevenindo acidentes e promovendo ambientes mais confiáveis para todos.

Green April is the month of awareness for Occupational Health and Safety, a national campaign focused on preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases. In industrial environments, this topic becomes even more relevant, especially when it comes to machine and equipment safety.

In this context, NR-12 in occupational safety plays a crucial role in saving lives. The regulation establishes technical and legal requirements to ensure that machines and equipment operate safely — reducing risks, preventing accidents, and promoting more reliable environments for everyone.

The impact of NR-12 during Green April

Among Brazil’s main regulatory standards, NR-12 stands out for its scope and applicability in industry. It defines protection measures that must be adopted throughout a machine’s entire lifecycle: from design to decommissioning.

According to engineer Guilherme Neto, managing partner at UniSafety — a national and international reference in machine safety — NR-12 represents a turning point for the industry.

“NR-12 marked a watershed moment for safety culture in Brazil. It goes beyond physical protection — it is an active risk management strategy capable of transforming the reality of workers and companies. It’s about saving lives without compromising productivity,” he explains.

A mechanical and occupational safety engineer, with a master's degree and PhD candidacy in Safety Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania (USA), Guilherme Neto represents Brazil on ISO 12100, the international standard for machine safety.

With over 1,400 registered technical reports (ARTs), publications, and extensive hands-on experience in the industrial sector, Guilherme Neto emphasizes the positive impact of regulatory advances in the workplace.

“Green April is a reminder that safety cannot be improvised. NR-12 is the most important legal and technical tool we currently have to ensure safer industrial environments. And its impact goes far beyond what many realize,” he highlights.

Read also: UniSafety represents Brazil in Paris for discussions on ISO 12100 and ISO 20607 machine safety standards

UniSafety’s commitment to life

UniSafety Soluções is a national leader in NR-12 compliance projects and consulting, working with a focus on results and adherence to legal requirements.

Additionally, the company actively contributes to advancing the field through technical publications. With a highly qualified and up-to-date team, UniSafety proudly participates in Green April every day — in practice — alongside industries throughout Brazil.

This Green April, we reaffirm our commitment to life and to building safer, more modern, and more efficient workplaces.

Learn more about UniSafety: Click here