Workplace Exposure List: Change to Terminology

From 1 December 2026, the Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) list will be replaced by the Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list.vFrom 1 December 2026, the Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) list will be replaced by the Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) list.

Purpose
Australian Work Health and Safety ministers agreed to rename the WES list as the WEL list to make it clear that limits must not be exceeded and to align Australia with language used internationally.

The CMPA supports the principle of responsible, balanced legislation that is in the best interests of the State of Victoria and Australia.

Definition
The definition of Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) or Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) is:

The airborne concentration of a particular substance or mixture which must not be exceeded. The exposure standard can be of three forms:

• Eight-hour time weighted average;
• Peak limitation; and
• Short term exposure limit.

Businesses should prepare for new standard

Impact on the quarry industry

The purpose of the new standard is the result of a review of the current Safe Work Australia (SWA)WES.

• From 1 December 2026, SWA will replace the WES list with the WEL for airborne contaminants list.
• The new standard incorporates additional airborne chemicals and stricter standards for some.
• The three major airborne contaminants for quarries (note others may apply) listed are:
  º Welding Fumes – no change from WorkSafe Victoria (2024), New standard for welding fume safety.
  º Diesel Particulate Matter – new WEL 0.01mg/m³ and º Respirable Crystaline Silica (RCS)The current CS exposure limit (TWA 0.05 mg/m³) has not changed to date. The Safe Work Australia (2024), Consultation paper impact analysis on the workplace exposure limits for 9 chemicals.
  º PCBUs (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) must ensure employees are not exposed to these hazardous substances at levels above the WEL, if any.
  º PCBUs must eliminate health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and if this is not reasonably practicable, minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable

What should businesses do now?
To prepare for the changes commencing on 1 December 2026, businesses should:

• identify airborne contaminants used or generated in their workplace 
• understand which exposure limits may apply to their operations 
• review hazardous chemical registers and safety data sheets (SDS) 
• assess current exposure controls 
• plan for any changes needed to meet future requirements. 

Businesses need to assess exposure controls

For the list of changes between WES and WEL visit:
Safe Work Australia – Workplace Changes between WES and WEL.

Stay informed
Learn more about the changes at the Safe Work Australia airborne contaminants hub