The majority of work health and safety (WHS) ministers have responded to the Decision Regulation Impact Statement. A majority in support of new workplace exposure levels for the 9 chemicals has not been reached and a majority of ministers have requested further work. There will be no changes to the exposure limits for the 9 chemicals from 1 December 2026.
The Decision Regulation Impact Statement is available on the Safe Work Australia website (Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Proposed workplace exposure limits for 9 chemicals).
Background
In 2024, WHS ministers agreed to workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants, with the exception of 9 chemicals: benzene, chlorine, copper, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and titanium dioxide. WHS ministers requested that Safe Work Australia undertake a regulatory impact analysis of the proposed workplace exposure limits for these 9 chemicals.
Transition to workplace exposure limits (WEL) – 1 December 2026
The workplace exposure levels for the 9 chemicals in the Decision Regulation Impact Statement will remain the same as their current workplace exposure standards (WES) levels when Australia transitions to the workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants (WEL) list on 1 December 2026.
Employers and workers can visit our airborne contaminants hub for information and resources to help them prepare for when the workplace exposure limits come into effect.