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As part of the ongoing Safe Work Australia WEL update, 31 additional airborne contaminants have now been added to the national list. These WEL chemical additions introduce new airborne contaminant limits that will influence how organisations measure exposure, review documentation and plan their risk controls.
These updates sit within broader airborne contaminant regulations Australia is introducing to strengthen clarity and consistency across OHS/WHS systems. For most workplaces, the practical question is simply whether any of the new WEL list chemicals apply to their processes and, if so, what adjustments may be required during the transition period. The aim is not to create concern, but to give businesses the information they need to plan confidently and meet their WEL compliance requirements in a structured way.
The updates follow a national review of the workplace exposure standard WES to ensure limits reflect current health evidence and remain appropriate for Australian industries. WHS laws require persons conducting a business to keep exposures below the relevant time weighted average TWA or short term exposure limit STEL, and the revised values help provide clearer guidance on what that benchmark looks like.
These changes help strengthen protection against long-term health risks and support practical decision-making around control measures, documentation updates and reducing exposure to airborne concentration levels in the work environment. For many sites, it simply means reviewing processes and confirming controls remain suitable.
The following substances have now been added to the workplace exposure limits WEL, each with its own defined exposure levels:
For some industries, these contaminants are already familiar. For others, this will be the first time they appear in compliance documentation or monitoring programs.
The introduction of new airborne contaminant limits may influence workplaces across multiple sectors, depending on the tasks they undertake.
Food production and processing
The new limit for flour dust is particularly relevant to:
These workplaces may need to reassess dust control and housekeeping measures.
Transport, warehousing and rail
The addition of diesel particulate matter (as respirable elemental carbon) affects:
Monitoring can help determine whether existing ventilation remains effective.
Plastics, packaging and advanced manufacturing
Organisations involved in plastics, coatings, electronics, films or extrusion may encounter:
These substances are typically associated with specialised processes and materials.
Agriculture, cleaning and chemical handling
New limits apply to substances used in:
Examples include Peracetic acid, Diquat and Dichloroacetic acid.
The introduction of new WEL values does not necessarily mean major changes are required. In many cases, existing controls already manage these contaminants effectively. The key is to check whether any of the new WEL list chemicals exist on site, either directly or as part of a process.
1. Review safety data sheets SDS and chemical registers
Confirm whether any new entries appear in raw materials, intermediates or by-products.
2. Consider whether you generate these substances during tasks
Some contaminants arise from heat, abrasion or chemical reactions.
3. Undertake airborne contaminant monitoring where appropriate
Monitoring can provide clarity on current exposure levels and help determine whether controls remain suitable ahead of the 2026 exposure limit changes.
4. Review and update documentation
This may include SWMS, training materials, SOPs and risk assessments.
5. Confirm that control measures remain aligned with the updated limits
Ventilation, extraction, isolation or PPE may need refinement in some environments, particularly where fine particulates or vapours are present.
A practical, steady approach to the 2026 changes
The introduction of 31 new workplace exposure limits is an important development, but not one that requires alarm. For most organisations, the next step is simply understanding whether the changes apply and confirming whether existing controls remain appropriate. Many workplaces will already be well positioned under their current OHS/WHS systems.
JTA’s occupational hygienists work with organisations to interpret the changes in a clear, practical way, focusing on the specific tasks and environments that matter. The aim is to help workplaces plan effectively, make informed decisions and build confidence ahead of the transition period.
If you would like tailored guidance on how the new limits apply to your workplace, or support with monitoring or documentation updates, our team is ready to help.
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References
1 https://www.pnas.org/content/118/17/e2018995118
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JTA Health, Safety & Noise Specialists acknowledges the Boon Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which the home of JTA resides. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.
