1-Bromopropane WEL 0.5 mg/m³ (0.1 ppm): what PCBUs should do before Dec 2026

Why this number matters

1-Bromopropane (n-propyl bromide or nPB) is a new WEL substance: 0.5 mg/m³ (0.1 ppm) as an 8-hour TWA. WES remains the reference until 30 November 2026; WEL applies from 1 December 2026 once implemented. Check your WHS regulator.

Where it shows up

• Vapour degreasing and precision cleaning.
• Adhesive/coating formulations, aerosols and cold wipe cleaning.
• Lab/QC, drum or still work, maintenance, sump/sludge and waste handling.

SEG and register checklist

Name 1-bromopropane and nPB on the hazardous chemical register. Map degrease, wipe, spray, maintenance, lab, waste and contractor SEGs. Check SDS, permits, emergency procedures, historical monitoring and who owns elimination or enclosure. Job titles alone are not a SEG.

Controls

Prefer aqueous or closed alternatives. Enclose degreasers; maintain freeboard, cooling, seals, condensers and exhaust; use LEV at wipe/spray points; minimise open time and plan sludge/filter work. Select compatible gloves and fit-tested organic-vapour RPE with cartridge-change rules last. Do not treat odour as a measuring instrument or invent a STEL.

Monitoring readiness

Baseline representative full-shift personal exposure against 0.5 mg/m³ (0.1 ppm), including load/unload, aerosol/wipe and maintenance tasks. Agree analyte-specific media and report both units where supported. Generic VOC badges only answer this WEL if validated for 1-bromopropane.

Sources

Safe Work Australia WEL changes · SWA WEL/WES changes