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New Workplace Exposure Limits: What Employers Need to Know Before 2026

Industry Insights

Safe Work Australia is updating the way it defines and measures airborne contaminants.

From 1 December 2026, Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) will officially become Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs). The update is based on the latest health evidence and introduces clearer national consistency for managing exposure across Australian workplaces.

Safe Work Australia is updating the way it defines and measures airborne contaminants. From 1 December 2026, Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) will officially become Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs). The update is based on the latest health evidence and introduces clearer national consistency for managing exposure across Australian workplaces.

Although the change takes effect next year, businesses need to start paying attention now. After all, if a substance is dangerous in 2026, it is no less harmful today. By reviewing current practices early, organisations will be better placed to protect their workers and meet compliance when the new limits apply.

What Are Workplace Exposure Limits?

WELs set the maximum airborne concentration of a substance that workers can be safely exposed to over a given period. They apply to gases, vapours, dusts, and fumes found across many industries.

The updated terminology and exposure values are based on current health evidence and a stronger national focus on consistency. They are designed to help organisations assess risks, control exposure, and maintain safer working environments.

Everyday Additions That May Surprise You

Some of the most notable inclusions in the updated list are substances many people would not normally associate with high-risk environments. A few examples include:

• Flour (cereal dust) will have a limit of 0.5 mg/m³. This highlights risks faced not only by factory workers but also by bakers, mill workers, and food production staff.
• Diesel particulate matter, long linked to respiratory illness, will be restricted to 0.01 mg/m³. This affects the transport, mining, and construction industries, where diesel engines are commonplace.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dust and Portland cement will be included in the list due to their links to long-term respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic bronchitis.

These upcoming changes show that hazardous exposure is not limited to chemicals in laboratories or heavy industry. Everyday materials, when handled or processed without proper controls, can pose significant risks to worker health.

Key Chemicals Added to the WEL List

Safe Work Australia has identified 31 airborne contaminants that will have new exposure limits when the WEL list takes effect in December 2026. Some of the most significant additions include:

• Bisphenol-A (BPA): used in plastics manufacturing
• Diacetyl: found in flavouring processes, particularly in food production
• Peracetic acid: a common disinfectant in the food and healthcare industries
• Gallium arsenide and indium phosphide: used in electronics and semiconductors
• Silicon carbide dust: relevant in abrasive manufacturing

These inclusions will require employers to review their air monitoring data, protective equipment, and training programs to ensure exposure remains well below the upcoming limits once they are implemented.

Changes to Existing Exposure Limits

Alongside new inclusions, many familiar substances will have stricter limits. These adjustments reflect the latest health research and aim to provide stronger long-term protection for workers. Examples include:

• Acetone will be reduced from 500 ppm to 250 ppm.
• Ammonia will be reduced from 25 ppm to 20 ppm.
• Acrolein will be reduced from 0.1 ppm to 0.02 ppm.
• Sulphur dioxide will be reduced from 2 ppm to 0.25 ppm.
• Wood dust (softwood) will be reduced from 5 mg/m³ to 2 mg/m³.

Lower thresholds mean some workplaces will need to reassess ventilation, air monitoring, and respiratory protection to maintain safe conditions. Updating these controls early will make compliance far smoother once the new limits are in force.

No Safe Limit: Genotoxic Carcinogens

Another major change involves 33 substances that will no longer have defined exposure limits. These are classified as non-threshold genotoxic carcinogens (NTGCs), meaning there is no known safe level of exposure. Even minimal exposure to these contaminants can increase the risk of cancer. NTGCs include:

• Chromium VI compounds
• Benzidine
• Vinyl chloride
• Coal tar pitch volatiles

For organisations whose operations involve or may generate these substances, the priority is to prevent exposure altogether. This may involve eliminating or substituting the substance.

Planning Ahead for Safer Workplaces

Although the new limits will not come into force until December 2026, organisations should start preparing well in advance. Acting early gives you time to identify risks, plan improvements, and manage costs before compliance becomes mandatory.

To stay ahead of the new limits, consider the following actions:

• Review exposure data to understand how current levels compare with the upcoming limits.
• Update risk assessments and controls for substances that will have tighter limits.
• Inform and train staff about the changes, particularly in industries where materials such as flour, diesel, and wood dust are affected.
• Plan upgrades early for extraction, filtration, and ventilation systems to avoid rushed adjustments closer to the deadline.
• Consult specialists or hygienists to validate monitoring processes and confirm that workplace controls align with best-practice recommendations.

Taking these steps now helps ensure workplaces are already operating safely and efficiently before the new limits are introduced.

From Standards to Limits

When the revised Workplace Exposure Limits take effect in 2026, they will mark more than a change in terminology. The introduction of 31 new substances, the reduction of allowable limits for many existing ones, and the removal of limits for chemicals with no safe level of exposure reflect the latest scientific understanding. Together, these changes will provide clearer guidance for industries managing airborne contaminants.

By reviewing workplace controls ahead of time, organisations can ensure their systems are ready when the new limits apply. Early preparation not only makes compliance smoother but also helps create safer, healthier workplaces before the transition officially begins.