Workers can be exposed to airborne contaminants during activities such as:
- construction
- excavation
- tunnelling, quarrying and mining
- use of inorganic pesticides and herbicides
- use of machinery or equipment that generates dust or fumes
- cleaning
- painting
As an employer, you have a WHS duty to ensure your workers are not exposed to harmful airborne contaminants.
Some airborne contaminants also have a workplace exposure standard (WES), or a workplace exposure limit (WEL). This is the maximum level of an airborne contaminant that most (but not all) people can be exposed to without harm to their health.