Three questions for: Benjamin Pfalz, Chair of KAN

Benjamin Pfalz is a trade union secretary at the department responsible for work organization and health protection within the executive management of IG Metall, the trade union of the German metal industry. He has been Chair of KAN since May 2022.

Mr Pfalz, how do you currently see the direction being taken by KAN, and where would you like it to be heading?

KAN has undergone significant developments in recent years. With adoption of development targets by the Executive Board, it has set itself a clear framework for development. Significant progress has been made: I’m thinking for example of the target of increasing involvement at European level. The opening of the Brussels office was certainly a milestone.

At the same time, it’s important that we now build on this and expand our work at European level. This includes conceptual and strategic aspects. It won’t be easy, but I’m confident that together with all of KAN’s stakeholders, we’ll find the right way forward.

In recent years, KAN has repeatedly shown itself to be capable of responding to changing conditions. One example is the approach taken to fast-track standardization documents, which we’ve become familiar with in formats such as DIN SPEC or VDE SPEC. Through KAN, it’s been possible to establish a procedure jointly with DIN by which influence can also be exerted on these formats, and occupational safety and health interests thereby assured.

What topics do you particularly think we need to stay on top of?

Europeanization and internationalization of standardization activity will present us with huge challenges. Take for example the three EU regulations of major relevance for occupational safety and health that are currently on the agenda: artificial intelligence, machinery and construction products, all of them underpinned by standards which overlap with occupational safety and health.

Technological change driven by the digital transformation, and underlying conditions such as increasing climate change and the European Green Deal, will give rise to numerous topics that are of concern for KAN. This is already evident from developments in the area of these EU regulations. For example, we’re currently taking a close look at the standardization in the sphere of highly automated, driverless mobile machinery – just one example among many. At the same time, familiar issues of product safety continue to be relevant for our work, for example in discussions of the quality requirements for ladders. As the occupational safety and health lobby, we must remain abreast of all these topics.

I think that this is also where the challenge lies of keeping KAN on the right course in view of the breadth of topics. We must critically monitor the standardization projects in progress and ensure that standardization does not chip away at the binding regulations of the state and the statutory accident insurance institutions, which assure the safety and health of workers at work.

We can conclude from this that the European arena is becoming increasingly important. What can the occupational safety and health lobby do to become even more effective in this arena?

KAN should continue to learn how to exert influence systematically and at decisive points. I’m thinking, for example, of the staff of the political groups in Brussels – the political advisors – who are often desperately looking for reliable external expertise. They are also the ones writing and coordinating the documents presented for discussion in the political groups. If we’re able to channel KAN’s knowledge to these people, we’ll have succeeded in making our occupational safety and health concerns known in important quarters. We can achieve this only by systematically cultivating contacts in all political groups. Furthermore, as our trade union experience has shown, this is often more effective than seeking to influence individual members of parliament.

Dialogue between the stakeholders represented in KAN concerning the options for exerting influence at European level, through to specific forms of cooperation with the European associations of the social partners – at least where interests coincide – are in my view the promising approaches.

I’d like to make a clear plea for us all to summon up the courage to enter the fray and master the balancing act between the tried and tested and the new. Based on the solid foundation of our principles and in a consensus between the stakeholders, KAN is an effective platform for occupational safety and health.