New Survey Reveals Widespread Exposure to Hazards in Australian Workplaces

Safe Work Australia has released the findings of the 2026 Australian Worker Exposure Survey (AWES 2026), delivering a current national snapshot of work-related hazard exposure across Australian workplaces. The results underline the importance of strong work health and safety (WHS) management systems, documented policies and procedures, and task-specific Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) to control risk.

The survey assessed workers’ exposure to a range of physical and chemical agents, as well as psychosocial hazards. For physical and chemical agents, workers reported on the tasks they undertake, with likely exposure levels modelled from their responses. Psychosocial hazards were measured using workers’ self-reported experiences at work, including workload, demands and levels of support.

AWES 2026 provides important insight into the most common hazards, where exposure is concentrated, and which workers and industries face the greatest risk. This data is intended to guide targeted prevention strategies, inform WHS policies and support continuous improvement in organisational WHS management systems.

Key findings include a high prevalence of exposure to physical and chemical hazards. An estimated 68% of workers were exposed to at least one physical or chemical agent, with 28.9% experiencing high-level exposure. Multiple exposures were particularly common in Construction (68.2%), Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (60.1%), and Mining (60.0%), highlighting the need for rigorous SWMS and risk controls in these sectors. Organisations in these industries may benefit from implementing or updating comprehensive WHS management systems, such as those available through providers like Bluesafe.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation emerged as the most common physical or chemical hazard. Around 32.4% of workers—approximately 4.87 million people—were likely to be exposed, including 21.0% at medium levels and 6.8% at high levels. This reinforces the need for effective sun protection policies, training and PPE programs, particularly for outdoor workforces.

Silica exposure was also significant. One in seven workers (13.6%), or about 2.04 million workers, were likely to be exposed to silica. Exposure was highest in Construction (71.8%) and Mining (63.8%), underscoring the critical role of engineered controls, respiratory protection, air monitoring and well-documented SWMS for tasks generating respirable crystalline silica.

The survey found apprentices and trainees face elevated exposure to several high-risk hazards, including heat (51.1%), silica (35.7%), lead (17.0%) and asbestos (13.7%). These findings point to the need for robust induction processes, close supervision and clear WHS policies for young and new workers, ensuring they are adequately trained and protected when performing hazardous tasks.

Psychosocial hazards were also widely reported. Many workers experienced high cognitive demands, with 68.3% stating they often or always needed to maintain high levels of concentration. Additionally, 37.3% reported working to tight deadlines or under frequent pressure. These psychosocial factors can significantly impact mental health and overall wellbeing and should be addressed through WHS risk management processes and organisational policies.

The survey highlighted concerns around job support, clarity and worker voice. A substantial proportion of workers reported low levels of influence and recognition in their roles: 21.8% disagreed that they have a say in changes at work, 16.8% felt they do not receive fair recognition, and 13.0% disagreed that they feel informed about workplace changes. These issues point to the need for better communication, consultation and participation mechanisms, all of which should be embedded into WHS management systems and workplace policies.

As work continues to evolve—driven by new technologies, changing work practices and shifting employment arrangements—new and emerging hazards will continue to arise. Ongoing monitoring of work-related hazard exposure, as undertaken through AWES 2026, is essential for identifying emerging risks, directing prevention efforts, and supporting safe and healthy work environments across all industries.

The 2026 Australian Worker Exposure Survey also provides a critical baseline for tracking changes in hazard exposure over time. Organisations are encouraged to use these findings to review their risk assessments, strengthen WHS policies and procedures, and ensure that their SWMS and control measures are up to date and effective.