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The Workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants (WEL list) includes advisory notations for some airborne contaminants, in addition to the mandatory exposure limits. These advisory notations provide information about additional risks that some airborne contaminants pose. 

An ototoxicity notation (‘OTO’) has been introduced for some airborne contaminants in the WEL list. 

Exposure to an airborne contaminant with an ‘OTO’ notation can increase the risk of hearing loss, especially if a worker is also exposed to noise at the same time. Exposure to ototoxic substances can occur through skin absorption, inhalation or ingestion.   

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must eliminate or minimise the risk of ototoxic substances in the workplace, so far as is reasonably practicable. 

For more information on managing the risk of ototoxic substances, see the model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work.

Acetylsalicylic acid
Arsenic and compounds (except arsine)
Azinphos-methyl
n-Butyl alcohol
p-tert-Butyltoluene
Cadmium and compounds (as Cd)
Carbon disulfide
Carbon monoxide
Chlorpyrifos
Cyanides (as CN)
Diazinon
Dibutyl phenyl phosphate
Dibutyl phosphate
Dichlorvos
Dicrotophos
Disulfoton
Ethion
Ethyl alcohol
Ethyl benzene
Fenamiphos (including vapour)
Fensulfothion (including vapour)
Heptane (n-heptane)
Hexane (n-hexane)
Hydrogen cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide
Lead arsenate (as Pb3(AsO4)2)
Lead, inorganic dusts and fumes (as Pb) 
Malathion
Manganese cyclopenta-dienyl tricarbonyl (as Mn)
Manganese fume, dust and compounds (as Mn) (inhalable)
Manganese fume, dust and compounds (as Mn) (respirable)
Mercury, alkyl compounds (as Hg)
 
Mercury, aryl compounds (as Hg)
Mercury, elemental vapour (as Hg)
Mercury, inorganic divalent compounds (as Hg)
Mercury, inorganic monovalent compounds (as Hg)
Methyl parathion
Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (as Mn)
Mevinphos
Mineral spirits (mineral turpentine)
Mineral spirits (white spirits)
Monocrotophos
Naled
Paraquat (respirable)
Parathion
Perchloroethylene
Phorate
Ronnel (inhalable and vapour)
Styrene, monomer
Sulprofos
Temephos
Tetraethyl lead (as Pb)
Tetramethyl lead (as Pb)
Tin, organic compounds (as Sn)
Toluene
Tributyl phosphate
Trichloroethylene
Trimethyl phosphite
Triorthocresyl phosphate
Triphenyl phosphate
Vinyl toluene
Xylene (o-, m-, p- isomers)
 

 

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Fact sheets

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Airborne Contaminants
Hazardous chemicals
Workplace Exposure Limits for hazardous chemicals

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Further Advice

SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. If you need help please contact your state or territory work health and safety authority.