Following consultation, a Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on the proposed workplace exposure limits (WELs) for 9 chemicals was prepared. This has now been provided to WHS ministers for their decision.
Until WHS ministers make their decision on the proposed WELs, the current workplace exposure standards for the 9 chemicals apply.
Once the decision of WHS ministers is announced, the Decision RIS will be published on the Safe Work Australia website.
To receive updates on the proposed WELs for the 9 chemicals, please subscribe to Safe Work Australia’s subscriber emails.
Safe Work Australia is consulting on the proposed workplace exposure limits (WEL) for 9 chemicals (benzene, chlorine, copper, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide respirable crystalline silica, titanium dioxide).
Consultation information
This consultation seeks feedback from stakeholders on the impacts of the proposed WEL for each of the 9 chemicals, as listed below.
Consultation is now open. We welcome responses from all stakeholders who work with or have an interest in the 9 chemicals.
Safe Work Australia has prepared a Consultation Paper containing analysis of the impacts of the proposed WEL for each of the 9 chemicals.
Submissions to this consultation will be used by Safe Work Australia to prepare an Impact Analysis for Work health and safety (WHS) ministers to help them decide whether to implement the proposed WEL for each of the 9 chemicals, and the timeframe for implementation.
Until WHS ministers make their decision on each proposed exposure limit, including the implementation timeframe, the current workplace exposure standard for the 9 chemicals applies.
| Chemical | Proposed WEL |
|---|---|
| Benzene | TWA1: 0.2 ppm (0.7 mg/m3) |
| Chlorine | TWA: 0.1 ppm (0.29 mg/m3) Peak limitation3: 0.4 ppm (1.16 mg/m3) |
| Copper (fumes, dusts and mists) | TWA (all forms): 0.01 mg/m3 |
| Formaldehyde | TWA: 0.3 ppm (0.369 mg/m3) Short term exposure limit (STEL2): 0.6 ppm (0.738 mg/m3) |
| Hydrogen cyanide | TWA: 0.9 ppm (1 mg/m3) STEL: 4.7 ppm (5 mg/m3) |
| Hydrogen sulphide | TWA: 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3) STEL: 5 ppm (7 mg/m3) |
| Nitrogen dioxide | TWA: 0.2 ppm (0.38 mg/m3) |
| Respirable crystalline silica | TWA: 0.025 mg/m3 |
| Titanium dioxide | TWA (respirable fraction; ultrafine/nanoscale particles): 0.3 mg/m3
TWA (respirable fraction; fine/pigmentary grade particles): 2.4 mg/m3 |
In the above table:
An 8-hr time weighted average (TWA) is the maximum average concentration of an airborne contaminant calculated for an eight-hour working day, based on a 5-day working week (40 hours).
A peak limitation is the maximum or peak concentration of an airborne contaminant measured over the shortest time possible, and not exceeding 15 minutes.
A short term exposure limit (STEL) is the time weighted average maximum concentration of an airborne contaminant calculated over a 15 minute period.
Making a submission
Submissions are sought by 11:59 pm (AEDT) on Sunday 15 December 2024.
You can make a submission by completing the survey under the Have your say section and selecting the chemicals for which you want to provide a response.
You can decide how or if your submission is published on the Consultation Hub by choosing from the following options:
submission published with your name, your organisation’s name, or a pseudonym
submission published anonymously, or
submission not published.
Demographic data will be collected as part of this process through completing the submission form. You may choose to provide your contact details (including your name and contact number or email) for SWA to contact you to clarify your feedback, if required. This information will not be published on the Consultation Hub.
For further information, please see this consultation’s Privacy Collection Notice or contact Chemicals Policy at chemicals@swa.gov.au
Background
In 2019, Safe Work Australia undertook a review of the workplace exposure standards (WES review) to ensure that the WES are based on contemporary evidence and provide the best protection for workers and others in the workplace.
WHS ministers agreed to changes to the WES for some chemicals and a harmonised transition for jurisdictions to implement the changes by 1 December 2026. From this date, the Workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants will replace the current Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants.
In addition, WHS ministers have asked Safe Work Australia to conduct regulatory impact analysis on the proposed WEL for 9 chemicals - benzene, chlorine, copper, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide respirable crystalline silica, titanium dioxide. This consultation will be used to inform the impact analysis for WHS ministers.
Past WES review consultations
| Title |
|---|