No Change to Exposure Limits for 9 Chemicals Ahead of 2026 Shift

A majority of work health and safety (WHS) ministers have now considered the Decision Regulation Impact Statement on proposed workplace exposure limits for nine chemicals. Ministers did not reach a majority position in favour of adopting new exposure levels and have instead requested further work and analysis. As a result, there will be no changes to the exposure limits for these nine chemicals from 1 December 2026.

The Decision Regulation Impact Statement, available via the Safe Work Australia website, examines the proposed workplace exposure limits for benzene, chlorine, copper, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide, respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and titanium dioxide.

In 2024, WHS ministers agreed to implement workplace exposure limits (WEL) for airborne contaminants, with these nine substances temporarily excluded pending a detailed regulatory impact analysis. Safe Work Australia has now completed that analysis, but ministers have requested additional work before any changes are made to the current limits.

When Australia transitions to the workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants list on 1 December 2026, the exposure levels for the nine chemicals identified in the Decision Regulation Impact Statement will remain aligned with their existing workplace exposure standards (WES). In practice, this means duty holders must continue to manage these substances in line with current WES levels.

Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) should continue to review and, where necessary, update their WHS management systems, safe work method statements (SWMS) and relevant policies to ensure that control measures for airborne contaminants remain effective and reflect current legal requirements. Comprehensive WHS management systems and clearly documented procedures can assist organisations to demonstrate compliance and systematically manage chemical risks in the workplace.

Employers and workers are encouraged to use the airborne contaminants resources provided by Safe Work Australia to prepare for the broader implementation of workplace exposure limits. These resources can be supported by internal WHS policies and procedures, or by adopting structured frameworks such as those available from specialist providers, for example WHS management systems and industry-specific SWMS templates, to help ensure consistent and documented risk control practices.