Safe Work Australia will soon seek feedback on the proposed workplace exposure limits (WEL) for nine chemicals.
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In 2019 SafeWork Australia completed a review of the workplace exposure standards (WES review) to ensure that those standards are based on current evidence and to provide the best possible protection for workers and others in the workplace. That WES review resulted in the WEL list. WHS Ministers agreed to that list and to a harmonised transition to adopt the WEL list on 1 December 2026 as a replacement for the WES list.
In addition to that review, WHS ministers requested that SafeWork Australia conduct a Regulatory Impact Analysis on the proposed WELs for nine additional chemicals.
SafeWork Australia will use submissions to this consultation to prepare an Impact Analysis Report for Work Health and Safety ministers to support their decision-making process around whether to implement the proposed exposure limits and timeframes for each of nine chemicals.
The chemicals to be under review –
- Benzene
- Chlorine
- Copper (fumes, dusts and mists)
- Formaldehyde
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Hydrogen sulphide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Respirable crystalline silica
- Titanium dioxide
This consultation will seek feedback from stakeholders on the economic, social and health impacts of the proposed WEL for each of the 9 chemicals.
Consultation will open soon through Safe Work Australia’s Consultation Hub, where information can be found on each chemical.
Read more - Upcoming consultation on the workplace exposure limits for 9 chemicals - Safe Work (swa.gov.au)