What are Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL)?
Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) are the maximum concentrations of airborne contaminants (dust, fumes, vapours, gases, mists) that a person can be exposed to in the workplace without suffering serious or long-term harm.
Starting 1 December 2026, WEL will officially replace the current Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) in Australia. While the old WES already served as protective benchmarks, the shift to WEL is more than just a name change — it reinforces that these are limits that must not be exceeded, not simply best-practice standards.
Why the Change?
- Better Health Protection – The WES were reviewed against more up-to-date health evidence. Based on this, many exposure limits have been revised. Some have been lowered to reflect newer research, while others have been raised, and a number of previously unlisted substances are now included.
- International Alignment – Renaming “standards” to “limits” brings Australian WHS terminology more in line with international practice.
- Regulatory Clarity – Calling them limits underscores a stricter compliance requirement: they aren’t aspirational targets but enforceable boundaries.
What Exactly Is Changing?
Safe Work Australia has published a detailed list of WELs showing how each airborne contaminant will be affected. Here are the key types of changes to expect:
- Adjustments to Existing Limits: Some substances will have lower or higher exposure thresholds.
- New Substances Added: Certain airborne contaminants not previously subject to a limit will now be regulated.
- Merged or Split Groups: For example, some chemical groups are being combined, others split to reflect different health impacts or particle behaviours.
- Removal of Some Limits: There are airborne contaminants known as Non-Threshold Genotoxic Carcinogens (NTGCs). These are substances for which no “safe” exposure level can be reliably established. For those, no WEL will be assigned — so PCBUs must eliminate, substitute, or reduce exposure “as much as reasonably practicable.”
- Types of Limits: There are three kinds of exposure limits in the WEL:
- TWA (8-hour time-weighted average) — average exposure over a standard shift.
- STEL (Short-Term Exposure Limit) — average for a short period, typically 15 minutes.
- Peak Limitation — the maximum instantaneous exposure allowed, even for very short moments.
What Does This Mean for Employers (PCBUs) and Workers?
For Employers / PCBUs:
- Risk Assessment – Begin reviewing which airborne contaminants you generate or use. Compare your current exposure data (or planned data) against the new WEL values.
- Control Measures – Use the hierarchy of controls: try to eliminate or substitute harmful substances first, then use engineering controls (ventilation, isolation), administrative controls, and only then PPE / respiratory protection.
- Monitoring – Air monitoring may need to be reviewed or redone under the new limits. Consider engaging an occupational hygienist to help design monitoring programs.
- Training and Consultation – Inform and consult with workers about the coming changes. Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and talk through exposure risks and controls.
- Health Surveillance – Depending on the substances, you may need to introduce or upgrade health monitoring for workers.
- Regulatory Compliance – Ensure you understand how WEL will be implemented under your jurisdiction’s WHS laws.
For Workers:
- Know Your Rights – You are entitled to understand the risks in your environment, what airborne contaminants you’re exposed to, and what the new limits will mean for you.
- Use PPE Properly – If respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is required, make sure you know how to fit and use it correctly.
- Ask Questions – If you’re unsure about exposure, speak to your safety rep or management. Ask if air monitoring has been done or is planned.
- Stop Work If Necessary – If you believe exposure levels are unsafe, you can raise this concern.
Challenges and Considerations
- Non-Threshold Carcinogens: For NTGCs (chemicals where there’s no safe threshold), compliance isn’t about meeting a numerical limit — it’s about eliminating or reducing risk as much as reasonably practicable.
- Multiple Contaminant Exposure: In practice, workers may be exposed to more than one airborne contaminant. The combined (or interactive) effects may be more harmful than each on its own, so a holistic risk assessment is necessary.
- Resource Constraints: Especially for small businesses, implementing more rigorous monitoring, bringing in occupational hygienists, or upgrading engineering controls can be a cost and resource challenge.
- Transition Period Awareness: Until 30 November 2026, the old WES still apply. But businesses should not delay preparation.
Next Steps — How to Prepare
- Audit Your Current Exposure
- List all airborne contaminants in use or generated in your workplace
- Check current exposure levels (or plan monitoring)
- Compare with the upcoming WEL values (once published)
- Engage Experts
- Consider hiring an occupational hygienist or WHS consultant
- Use their expertise to design control measures and exposure monitoring
- Update Risk Management Plans
- Review your WHS risk register and update it for WEL risks
- Revise safe work method statements (SWMS) or SOPs if needed
- Train Your Team
- Run training on the new limits, on appropriate PPE, and on hazard recognition
- Encourage consultation with workers — especially those working directly with the contaminants
- Health Monitoring
- Where relevant, implement medical surveillance / health-check programs for workers exposed to airborne contaminants.
- Stay Informed
- Subscribe to Safe Work Australia’s “Exposure Standards” mailing list for updates.
- Check your regulator’s website for local guidance, as implementation details may vary by state / territory
Conclusion
The move to Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) marks a major step forward for occupational health in Australia. By tightening and updating exposure thresholds, introducing new substances, and changing the language to reinforce these as non-negotiable limits, the transition strengthens protection for workers against airborne hazards.
But it’s not just a regulatory change — it’s a call to action. Employers need to assess, plan, control, monitor, and train. Workers need to stay informed, engage in safety discussions, and make sure protections are in place.
As we all know, time flies. 1 December 2026 seems far away, but there’s a lot to do prior to the implementation date, so the time to prepare is now.
Sherm Software can be a lifesaving tool for your workers and workplace. Sherm’s Registers module includes the Chemical Register which documents all chemicals used within the business, monitors SDS expiry with notification sent when renewal is required, and retains completed Risk Assessments uploaded as an attachment or Sherm gives you the ability to complete an Electronic Risk Assessment. Workers can access SDS on Sherm’s Mobile App.
Your SWMS’s and SOP’s are maintained in Sherm’s Documentation module making them available to workers at any time using the Mobile App.
Training on new limits, appropriate PPE, and on hazard recognition can be scheduled using Sherm’s Training and Competency module ensuring workers are informed and safe, and your obligations have been met.
Sherm’s People module ensures all Health Information is retained with the workers details where medical surveillance / health-check programs have been implemented, with notification sent when retesting is due.
Get in touch with us today and let Sherm help you.
