Australia is making landmark changes to the chemical safety regulations in the workplace. From 1 December 2026, Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) will be replaced by Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL).
These limits establish the maximum amount of a chemical that a worker can safely exposed to during the course of their work. The limits only apply to airborne contaminants, for example, dust, vapour, gas, fume, or mist, and those contaminants are harmful to health either over time or as an acute and immediate effect.
The transition to WEL is more than a change in name, it is a step towards increased protection for workers. The new limits were developed based on the most current health science and to reflect the results of contemporary international research and have been constructed to include the most recent understanding of the effect of certain substances on human health.
By giving the standards a refresh, Australia will be able to plug the gaps that were evident under the existing system, respond to emerging risks, and provide clearer rules for every business to follow. For instance, employers will need to review their practices at work, reassess their chemical risks, and update their safety control measures to comply with the stricter and more specific requirements.
What’s Changing?
The detailed examination of the present Workplace Exposure Standards showed some limits were obsolete or some chemicals were under-regulated. Consequently, starting December 2026:
- Sixty or more stringent limits for existing chemicals – Some limits will be lowered to improve the protection for workers, and some limits will be raised where scientific evidence shows the current limit is more controlling than necessary.
- 31 new chemicals added – These substances will have a legally enforceable exposure limit for the first time, which means businesses will now have to take active steps to monitor and control worker exposure in compliance.
- Banned chemicals removed – Some substances will be taken off the list because they are prohibited from being imported, being manufactured, or being used in Australia.
- No safe limit for some hazardous chemicals – In some cases, for some very hazardous chemicals that are defined as non-threshold genotoxic carcinogens (NTGCs), there is no safe level of exposure.
Businesses will be required by law to remove these substances from the workplace or eliminate worker exposure to these chemicals as far as reasonably practicable, through substitution of the chemical, engineered controls, or safety procedures that can be strictly enforced.
Here are a few examples of the 31 new chemicals getting limits:
New Chemicals added to the WEL list
| New entries in the WEL | TWA
(mg/m3) |
TWA
(ppm) |
STEL
(mg/m3) |
STEL
(ppm) |
Peak Limit
(mg/m3) |
Peak Limit
(ppm) |
| Barium sulfate (respirable) | 1.35 | |||||
| Benzoyl chloride | 2.8 | 0.5 | ||||
| Bisphenol-A | 2 | |||||
| 1-Bromopropane | 0.5 | 0.1 | ||||
| But-2-yne-1,4-diol | 0.5 | |||||
| Diacetyl | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.07 | 0.02 | ||
| Dichloroacetic acid | 2.5 | 0.5 | ||||
| Diesel particulate matter (as respirable elemental carbon) | 0.01 | |||||
| Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether | 67.5 | 10 | ||||
| Dimethyl sulfide | 25 | 10 | ||||
| 1,3-Dioxolane | 61 | 20 | ||||
| Diquat (respirable) | 0.1 | |||||
| 2-Ethylhexanoic acid | 5 | |||||
| 2-Ethylhexanol | 5.33 | 1 | ||||
| Ethylene thiourea | 0.02 | |||||
| Flour (cereal) dust | 0.5 | |||||
| Gallium arsenide | 0.0003 | |||||
| Glyoxal | 0.1 | 0.042 | ||||
| Hexahydrophthalic anhydride | 0.005 | |||||
| Indium phosphide | 0.1 | |||||
| 2-Methylbutyl acetate | 266 | 50 | 532 | 100 | ||
| 5-nitro-o-toluidine (inhalable) | 1 | |||||
| 2,3-Pentanedione | 0.083 | 0.02 | ||||
| 2,4-Pentanedione | 102 | 25 | ||||
| Peracetic acid | 1.24 | 0.4 | ||||
| Phenyl isocyanate | 0.024 | 0.005 | ||||
| Polyvinyl chloride (respirable dust) | 1 | |||||
| Silicon carbide (non-fibrous dust) (inhalable) | 10 | |||||
| Terephthalic acid | 5 | |||||
| Tetrafluoroethylene | 8.2 | 2 | ||||
| Tungsten, metal and compounds (as W) | 3 |
Credit: Safework Australia
(TWA = time-weighted average, STEL = short-term exposure limit)
WES and WEL Comparison Table
Changed limits have been highlighted in red to indicate a decrease, and green to indicate an increase.
| Chemical | Unit | WES values | Name in WEL (if changed) |
WEL values | ||||
| TWA | STEL | Peak Limit | TWA | STEL | Peak Limit | |||
| Acetic anhydride | ppm | 5 | 0.5 | 1 | ||||
| Acetone | ppm | 500 | 1000 | 250 | 500 | |||
| Acetonitrile | ppm | 40 | 60 | 20 | ||||
| Acrolein | ppm | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.02 | 0.05 | |||
| Acrylic acid | ppm | 2 | 10 | |||||
| Allyl alcohol | ppm | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Amitrole | mg/m3 | 0.2 | 2 | |||||
| Ammonia | ppm | 25 | 35 | 20 | 35 | |||
| Ammonium perfluorooctanoate |
mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.01 | |||||
| Ammonium persulfate | mg/m3 | 0.01 | Persulfates, ammonium- and alkali metal salts | 0.1 | ||||
| Potassium persulfate | mg/m3 | 0.01 | ||||||
| Sodium persulfate | mg/m3 | 0.01 | ||||||
| n-Amyl acetate | ppm | 50 | 100 | Amyl acetate (iso-, n-, sec- isomers) | 50 | 100 |
|
|
| sec-Amyl acetate | ppm | 50 | 100 | |||||
| Isoamyl acetate | ppm | 50 | 100 | |||||
| Aniline & homologues | ppm | 2 | 0.5 | |||||
| Arsenic & soluble compounds (as As) |
mg/m3 | 0.05 | Arsenic and compounds (except arsine) | 0.01 | ||||
| Atrazine | mg/m3 | 5 | 1 | |||||
| Azinphos-methyl | mg/m3 | 0.2 | 1 | |||||
| Barium sulphate | mg/m3 | 10 | Barium sulfate (inhalable) | 4 | ||||
| Barium sulfate (respirable) | 1.35 | |||||||
| Benomyl | ppm | 0.84 | 0.08 | |||||
| Beryllium & compounds | mg/m3 | 0.002 | 0.00002 | 0.0002 | ||||
| Bitumen fumes | mg/m3 | 5 | 0.5 | |||||
| Borates, tetra, sodium salts (anhydrous) | mg/m3 | 1 | Borates, tetra, sodium salts, incl anhydrous, decahydrate, pentahydrate | 0.75 | ||||
| Borates, tetra, sodium salts (decahydrate) | mg/m3 | 5 | ||||||
| Borates, tetra, sodium salts (pentahydrate) | mg/m3 | 1 | ||||||
| Boron tribromide | ppm | 1 | 0.7 | |||||
| Boron trifluoride | ppm | 1 | 0.1 | 0.7 | ||||
| 2-Butoxyethanol | ppm | 20 | 50 | 10 | 40 | |||
| 2-Butoxyethyl acetate | ppm | 20 | 50 | 20 | ||||
| n-Butyl acetate | ppm | 150 | 200 | n-Butyl acetate
sec-Butyl acetate tert-Butyl acetate iso-Butyl acetate |
50 | 100 | ||
| sec-Butyl acetate | ppm | 200 | ||||||
| tert-Butyl acetate | ppm | 200 | ||||||
| Isobutyl acetate | ppm | 150 | ||||||
| n-Butyl alcohol | ppm | 50 | 20 | |||||
| tert-Butyl alcohol | ppm | 100 | 150 | 20 | ||||
| n-Butyl glycidyl ether (BGE) | ppm | 25 | 3 | |||||
| Cadmium and compounds (as Cd) | mg/m3 | 0.01 | 0.001 | |||||
| Calcium cyanamide | mg/m3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | |||||
| Calcium hydroxide | mg/m3 | 5 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| Calcium oxide | mg/m3 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Calcium sulphate | mg/m3 | 10 | Calcium sulfate | 1.5 | ||||
| Camphor, synthetic | ppm | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||
| e-Caprolactam (dust and vapour) |
mg/m3 | 10 | 20 | Caprolactam (dust and vapour) (incl. e caprolactam) | 5 | |||
| Caprolactam (dust) | mg/m3 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| Carbaryl | mg/m3 | 5 | 0.5 | |||||
| Carbon disulphide | ppm | 10 | Carbon disulfide | 1 | ||||
| Carbon monoxide | ppm | 30 | 20 | |||||
| Carbon tetrachloride | ppm | 0.1 | 0.1 | 5 | ||||
| alpha-Chloroacetophenone | ppm | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.05 | ||||
| Chlorobenzene | ppm | 10 | 5 | |||||
| o-Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile[1] | mg/m3 | 0.39 | 0.02 | |||||
| Chloroform | ppm | 2 | 0.5 | |||||
| Chlorpyrifos[2] | mg/m3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||
| Chromium (II) compounds (as Cr) | mg/m3 | 0.5 | Chromium (metal), (II), (III) (as Cr) | 0.5 | ||||
| Chromium (III) compounds (as Cr) | mg/m3 | 0.5 | ||||||
| Chromium (metal) | mg/m3 | 0.5 | ||||||
| Clopidol | mg/m3 | 10 | 2 | |||||
| Cobalt, metal dust & fume (as Co) | mg/m3 | 0.05 | Cobalt (metal and inorganic compounds) | 0.02 | ||||
| Cotton dust, raw | mg/m3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||
| Cyanamide | mg/m3 | 2 | 0.2 | |||||
| Cyanides (as CN) | mg/m3 | 5 | 1 | 5 | ||||
| Cyanogen | ppm | 10 | 5 | |||||
| Cyclohexane | ppm | 100 | 300 | 100 | ||||
| Cyclohexanone | ppm | 25 | 10 | 20 | ||||
| Cyclohexylamine | ppm | 10 | 2 | |||||
| Cyclonite | mg/m3 | 1.5 | 0.1 | |||||
| Diacetone alcohol | ppm | 50 | 20 | |||||
| Diazinon | mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.01 | |||||
| Diborane | ppm | 0.1 | 0.01 | |||||
| Dibutyl phosphate | ppm | 1 | 2 | 0.6 | ||||
| Dibutyl phthalate[3] | mg/m3 | 5 | 0.58 | |||||
| 2-N-Dibutylaminoethanol | ppm | 2 | 0.5 | |||||
| p-Dichlorobenzene | ppm | 25 | 50 | 2 | 10 | |||
| Dichloroethyl ether | ppm | 5 | 10 | 5 | ||||
| Dichlorvos (DDVP) | ppm | 0.1 | 0.01 | |||||
| Dicyclopentadiene | ppm | 5 | 0.5 | |||||
| Dicyclopentadienyl iron | mg/m3 | 10 | 0.1 | |||||
| Diethanolamine | ppm | 3 | 0.11 | |||||
| Diethyl ketone | ppm | 200 | 200 | 300 | ||||
| Diethylamine | ppm | 10 | 25 | 2 | 10 | |||
| Dimethylamine | ppm | 2 | 6 | 2 | ||||
| N,N-Dimethylethylamine | ppm | 10 | 15 | 2 | ||||
| Dimethylformamide | ppm | 10 | 5 | |||||
| Dinitolmide | mg/m3 | 5 | 1 | |||||
| m-Dinitrobenzene | ppm | 0.15 | Dinitrobenzene (m-, o-, p-isomers) | 0.15 | ||||
| o-Dinitrobenzene | ppm | 0.15 | ||||||
| p-Dinitrobenzene | ppm | 0.15 | ||||||
| 1,4-Dioxane | ppm | 10 | 5 | |||||
| Diphenylamine | mg/m3 | 10 | 5 | |||||
| Di-sec-octyl phthalate | mg/m3 | 5 | 10 | 2 | ||||
| Disulfoton | mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.02 | |||||
| Enflurane | ppm | 0.5 | 20 | |||||
| Epichlorohydrin | ppm | 2 | 0.5 | |||||
| EPN | mg/m3 | 0.5 | O-Ethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) phenylphosphonothioate | 0.1 | ||||
| Ethion | mg/m3 | 0.4 | 0.05 | |||||
| 2-Ethoxyethanol | ppm | 5 | 2 | |||||
| 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate | ppm | 5 | 2 | |||||
| Ethyl acrylate | ppm | 5 | 2 | 5 | ||||
| Ethyl alcohol | ppm | 1000 | 200 | 800 | ||||
| Ethyl benzene | ppm | 100 | 125 | 20 | ||||
| Ethyl butyl ketone | ppm | 50 | 50 | 75 | ||||
| Ethyl chloride | ppm | 1000 | 100 | |||||
| Ethyl formate | ppm | 100 | 100 | 150 | ||||
| Ethyl silicate | ppm | 10 | 5 | |||||
| Ethylamine | ppm | 2 | 6 | 5 | 15 | |||
| Ethylene glycol (particulate) | mg/m3 | 10 | 10 | |||||
| Ethylene glycol dinitrate | ppm | 0.05 | 0.01 | |||||
| Ethylidene norbornene | ppm | 5 | 2 | 4 | ||||
| Fenamiphos | mg/m3 | 0.1 | Fenamiphos (including vapour) | 0.05 | ||||
| Fensulfothion | mg/m3 | 0.1 | Fensulfothion (including vapour) | 0.01 | ||||
| Ferbam | mg/m3 | 10 | 5 | |||||
| Furfural | ppm | 2 | 0.2 | |||||
| Furfuryl alcohol | ppm | 10 | 15 | 0.2 | ||||
| Glutaraldehyde | ppm | 0.1 | 0.05 | |||||
| Grain dust (oats, wheat, barley) | mg/m3 | 4 | 1.5 | |||||
| Hexamethylene diisocyanate |
mg/m3 | See Isocyanates, all
(TWA: 0.02, STEL: 0.07) |
0.02 | 0.07 | ||||
| Hexane (n-Hexane) | ppm | 20 | 50 | |||||
| Hydrogen chloride | ppm | 5 | 2 | |||||
| Hydrogen fluoride (as F) | ppm | 3 | 0.5 | 2 | ||||
| Hydrogen peroxide | ppm | 1 | 0.5 | |||||
| Hydrogenated terphenyls | ppm | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2 | ||||
| 2-Hydroxypropyl acrylate | ppm | 0.5 | Hydroxypropyl acrylate (all isomers) | 0.5 | ||||
| Iodine | ppm | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.1 | ||||
| Iron pentacarbonyl (as Fe) | ppm | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | |||
| Isoamyl alcohol | ppm | 100 | 125 | 20 | 80 | |||
| Isophorone diisocyanate | mg/m3 | See Isocyanates, all
(TWA: 0.02, STEL: 0.07) |
0.02 | 0.07 | ||||
| Isopropoxyethanol | ppm | 25 | 10 | |||||
| Isopropyl acetate | ppm | 250 | 310 | Propyl acetate (all isomers) | 100 | 150 | ||
| n-Propyl acetate | ppm | 200 | 250 | |||||
| Isopropyl alcohol | ppm | 400 | 500 | 200 | 400 | |||
| Lithium hydride | mg/m3 | 0.025 | 0.02 | |||||
| Malathion | mg/m3 | 10 | 1 | |||||
| Maleic anhydride | ppm | 0.25 | 0.0025 | |||||
| Manganese, dust & compounds (as Mn) | mg/m3 | 1 | Manganese fume, dust and compounds (as Mn) (inhalable)
Manganese fume, dust and compounds (as Mn) (respirable) |
0.1 (inhalable)
0.02 (respirable) |
||||
| Manganese, fume (as Mn) | mg/m3 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| Mesityl oxide | ppm | 15 | 25 | 2 | ||||
| Methomyl | mg/m3 | 2.5 | 0.2 | |||||
| 2-Methoxyethanol | ppm | 5 | 0.1 | |||||
| 2-Methoxyethyl acetate | ppm | 5 | 0.1 | |||||
| Methyl 2-cyanoacrylate | ppm | 2 | 4 | Cyanoacrylates (Ethyl and Methyl) | 0.2 | 1 | ||
| Methyl acrylate | ppm | 10 | 2 | |||||
| Methyl alcohol | ppm | 200 | 250 | 100 | ||||
| Methyl bromide | ppm | 5 | 1 | |||||
| Methyl chloride | ppm | 50 | 100 | 20 | 80 | |||
| Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) | ppm | 150 | 300 | 200 | 300 | |||
| Methyl formate | ppm | 100 | 150 | 50 | 100 | |||
| Methyl isoamyl ketone | ppm | 50 | 20 | 40 | ||||
| Methyl isobutyl ketone | ppm | 50 | 75 | 20 | 75 | |||
| Methyl isocyanate[4] | mg/m3 | See Isocyanates, all
(TWA: 0.02, STEL: 0.07) |
0.047 | 0.14 | ||||
| Methyl isopropyl ketone | ppm | 200 | 20 | |||||
| Methyl n-butyl ketone | ppm | 5 | 5 | 10 | ||||
| Methyl parathion | mg/m3 | 0.2 | 0.02 | |||||
| Methyl propyl ketone | ppm | 200 | 250 | 150 | ||||
| 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone | ppm | 25 | 75 | 20 | ||||
| Methylcyclohexane | ppm | 400 | 200 | |||||
| Methylene bis(4-cyclo- hexylisocyanate) | mg/m3 | See Isocyanates, all
(TWA: 0.02, STEL: 0.07) |
0.02 | 0.07 | ||||
| Methylene bisphenyl isocyanate (MDI) | mg/m3 | See Isocyanates, all
(TWA: 0.02, STEL: 0.07) |
Isocyanates, (poly-) (as NCO) | 0.02 | 0.07 | |||
| Toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) | mg/m3 | See Isocyanates, all
(TWA: 0.02, STEL: 0.07) |
||||||
| Methyl-tert butyl ether | ppm | 25 | 75 | 50 | ||||
| Mevinphos[5] | mg/m3 | 0.092 | 0.27 | 0.01 | ||||
| Mineral turpentine[6] | mg/m3 | 480 | Mineral spirits (mineral turpentine) | 296 | 593 | |||
| White spirits[7] | mg/m3 | 790 | Mineral spirits (white spirits) | 296 | 593 | |||
| Molybdenum, insoluble compounds (as Mo) | mg/m3 | 10 | Molybdenum, insoluble compounds (as Mo) (inhalable)
Molybdenum, insoluble compounds (as Mo) (respirable) |
10
3 |
||||
| Molybdenum, soluble compounds (as Mo) | mg/m3 | 5 | 0.5 | |||||
| Monochloroacetic acid | ppm | 0.3 | 0.5 | |||||
| Monocrotophos | mg/m3 | 0.25 | 0.05 | |||||
| Naled | mg/m3 | 3 | 0.1 | |||||
| Naphthalene | ppm | 10 | 15 | 10 | ||||
| Nickel carbonyl (as Ni) | ppm | 0.05 | 0.05 | |||||
| Nickel dichloride | mg/m3 | 0.1 | Nickel, metal and insoluble compounds (as Ni) | 0.1 | ||||
| Nickel salt, nitric acid | mg/m3 | 0.1 | ||||||
| Nickel dinitrate | mg/m3 | 0.1 | ||||||
| Nickel, metal | mg/m3 | 1 | ||||||
| Nickel sulphide roasting (fume & dust) (as Ni) | mg/m3 | 1 | ||||||
| Nickel, powder | mg/m3 | 1 | ||||||
| Nitric acid | ppm | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||||
| Nitric oxide | ppm | 25 | 2 | |||||
| Nitroglycerine (NG) | ppm | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.02 | ||||
| Nitrous oxide | ppm | 25 | 50 | |||||
| Osmium tetroxide (as Os) | ppm | 0.0002 | 0.0006 | 0.0002 | ||||
| Paraquat (respirable sizes) | mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.05 | |||||
| Pentaborane | ppm | 0.005 | 0.015 | 0.005 | ||||
| Pentane | ppm | 600 | 750 | Pentane (all isomers) | 1000 | |||
| Perchloroethylene | ppm | 50 | 150 | 20 | 40 | |||
| Perchloryl fluoride | ppm | 3 | 6 | 3 | ||||
| Petrol (gasoline)[8] | mg/m3 | 900 | 900 | 1480 | ||||
| Phenyl mercaptan | ppm | 0.5 | 0.1 | |||||
| Phorate | mg/m3 | 0.05 | 0.2 | 0.05 | ||||
| Phosgene | ppm | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.1 | 0.4 | |||
| Phosphine | ppm | 0.3 | 1 | 0.05 | 0.15 | |||
| Phosphorus (yellow) | mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.01 | |||||
| Phosphorus oxychloride | ppm | 0.1 | 0.02 | |||||
| Phthalic anhydride | ppm | 1 | 0.0003 | |||||
| Piperazine dihydrochloride[9] | mg/m3 | 5 | Piperazine and salts | 0.1 | 0.3 | |||
| Platinum, metal | mg/m3 | 1 | 0.1 | |||||
| Portland cement | mg/m3 | 10 | Portland cement (respirable dust) | 1 | ||||
| Propane-1,2-diol total (vapour & particulates)[10] | mg/m3 | 474 | 50 | |||||
| Propane-1,2-diol (particulates only) |
mg/m3 | 10 | 50 | |||||
| n-Propyl nitrate | ppm | 25 | 40 | 25 | ||||
| Propylene glycol dinitrate | ppm | 0.05 | 0.01 | |||||
| Propylene imine | ppm | 2 | 0.2 | |||||
| Propylene oxide | ppm | 20 | 2 | |||||
| Pyrethrum | mg/m3 | 5 | 1 | |||||
| Pyridine | ppm | 5 | 1 | |||||
| Resorcinol | ppm | 10 | 20 | 10 | ||||
| Ronnel | mg/m3 | 10 | Ronnel (inhalable and vapour) | 5 | ||||
| Silicon carbide | mg/m3 | 10 | Silicon carbide (non-fibrous dust) (respirable) | 3 | ||||
| Sodium fluoroacetate | mg/m3 | 0.05 | 0.15 | 0.05 | ||||
| Stearates | mg/m3 | 10 | Stearates (inhalable)
Stearates (respirable) |
10
3 |
||||
| Styrene, monomer | ppm | 50 | 100 | 20 | 40 | |||
| Sulphur dioxide | ppm | 2 | 5 | Sulfur dioxide | 0.25 | |||
| Sulphuric acid | mg/m3 | 1 | 3 | Sulfuric acid | 0.1 | |||
| Sulprofos[11] | mg/m3 | 1 | 0.1 | |||||
| Talc (containing no asbestos fibres) | mg/m3 | 2.5 | Talc (respirable) (containing no asbestos fibres) | 2 | ||||
| Temephos[12] | mg/m3 | 10 | 2 | |||||
| Tetrahydrofuran | ppm | 100 | 50 | |||||
| Thallium, soluble compounds (as Tl) |
mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.02 | |||||
| Thionyl chloride | ppm | 1 | 0.2 | |||||
| Tin, organic compounds (as Sn) | mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | ||||
| Tin, metal | mg/m3 | 2 | Tin (metal and inorganic compounds) | 2 | ||||
| Tin oxide and inorganic compounds except SnH4 (as Sn) | mg/m3 | 2 | ||||||
| Toluene | ppm | 50 | 150 | 20 | ||||
| Triethylamine | ppm | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Trimellitic anhydride | ppm | 0.005 | 0.00006 | 0.00002 | ||||
| Trimethyl benzene | ppm | 25 | Trimethyl benzene (all isomers) | 20 | ||||
| 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) | mg/m3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | |||||
| Tungsten, insoluble compounds (as W) | mg/m3 | 5 | 10 | 3 | ||||
| Tungsten, soluble compounds (as W) |
mg/m3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Uranium (natural), soluble & insoluble compounds (as H) | mg/m3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | Uranium (natural), soluble and insoluble compounds (as U) | 0.2 | |||
| Vinyl acetate | ppm | 10 | 20 | 10 | 15 | |||
| Vinyl toluene | ppm | 50 | 100 | 20 | 40 | |||
| Warfarin | mg/m3 | 0.1 | 0.01 | |||||
| Wood dust (soft wood) | mg/m3 | 5 | 10 | 2 | ||||
| Zinc chloride (fume) | mg/m3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Zinc oxide (dust) | mg/m3 | 10 | Zinc oxide (dust and fume) | 2 | 10 | |||
| Zinc oxide (fume) | mg/m3 | 5 | 10 | |||||
Credit: Safework Australia
Chemicals With Lower Limits
For some hazardous chemicals, the allowable limits are going down to better protect workers. Examples include:
- Acrolein
- Arsenic & compounds
- Beryllium & compounds
- Carbon disulphide
- Cobalt
- Manganese
If your business uses any of these, you’ll need stronger controls to meet the new rules.
Chemicals With No Safe Limit
Some chemicals are so dangerous that any exposure can cause harm. These are called non-threshold genotoxic carcinogens (NTGCs). Examples include:
| NTGCs |
| Acrylamide |
| Acrylonitrile (Vinyl cyanide) |
| Allyl chloride (3-Chloro-1-propene) |
| Allyl glycidyl ether (AGE, Allyl 2,3-epoxypropyl ether) |
| Anisidine (o, p- isomers) (Methoxyaniline) |
| o-Anisidine |
| p-Anisidine |
| Benzidine |
| (bis)chloromethyl ether |
| 1,3-Butadiene |
| Catechol (Pyrocatechol, o-Dihydroxybenzene) |
| beta-Chloroprene (2-Chloro-1,3-butadiene) |
| Chromium VI compounds (including zinc chromates) |
| Coal tar pitch volatiles (as benzene solubles) |
| 1,2-Dibromo ethane (ethylene dibromide) |
| 3,3′-Dichlorobenzidine |
| Diethyl sulfate |
| Dimethycarbamoyl chloride |
| Dimethyl sulfate |
| Dinitrotoluene |
| Ethylene dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane) |
| Ethylene oxide (Oxirane) |
| Ethylenimine (Aziridine) |
| Hydrazine (Diamine) |
| Lead chromate (as Cr) |
| 4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA, MBOCA, 2,2′-Dichloro-4,4′-methylenedianiline) |
| 2-Nitrotoluene |
| Propane sultone |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixture when containing benzo[a]pyrene |
| Tetranitromethane (TNM) |
| Urethane |
| Vinyl Bromide (Bromoethylene) |
| Vinyl chloride, monomer (Chloroethylene) |
Credit : Safework Australia
From 1 December 2026, they will be removed from the list of exposure limits, and from now on, you must remove them from the workplace or reduce exposure as much as possible to comply with the new limits.
Banned Chemicals Removed
Six chemicals are already banned in Australia and will not appear in the new WEL list:
- Aldrin
- Chlordane
- DDT
- Dieldrin
- Endrin
- Heptachlor
How to Prepare Now
Although the date for the change is not until December 2026, now is a good time to start preparations:
- Gather Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals you are using.
- Test air quality to assess whether exposure falls within the new limits.
- Implement the best safety controls (ventilation, PPE, substitution) if needed.
- Train your workers using the new limits and safety measures.
- Consult a qualified occupational hygienist for a professional audit.
How Can Anitech Help?
Anitech can help with this transition by:
- Reviewing your workplace and its practices against the new WEL requirements.
- Assisting in the disposal or replacement of high-risk chemicals.
- Training your staff on chemical safety.
- Establishing digital tools to monitor and report exposure.
Final Word
Moving from Workplace Exposure Standards to Workplace Exposure Limits 2025 is about protecting workers and ensuring businesses adopt the latest in safety science.
By preparing early, you can mitigate compliance issues, keep your workers safe, and demonstrate your company’s commitment to workplace health.
Contact Anitech today to prepare your organisation for the impending changes in December 2026.
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