Workplace Exposure Limits: What Changes on 1 December 2026
Over 100 substances have reduced limits, some by up to 99%. Several substances receive limits for the first time.
Understanding the WES to WEL transition
Safe Work Australia is replacing the Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) with Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) on 1 December 2026. This is not a simple rename — over 100 substances have reduced limits, some dramatically, and several substances receive limits for the first time. The term change from "standard" to "limit" is deliberate: a WEL is a ceiling that must not be exceeded, aligning Australia with international terminology.
The substances with the largest reductions include manganese (-98%), nickel (-99%), chromium VI (-90%), isocyanates (-75%), formaldehyde (-70%), styrene (-60%), silica (-50%), wood dust (-50%), coal dust (-50%), and IPA (-50%). Several substances gain limits for the first time: flour dust (0.5 mg/m³), diesel particulate matter (0.1 mg/m³), and others. Businesses currently operating without exposure monitoring for these "new" substances have no baseline data and no evidence of compliance.
The transition period ends on 30 November 2026. Until that date, PCBUs must continue to comply with the current WES. However, businesses should prepare now — ventilation upgrades, process changes, and RPE program overhauls cannot be implemented in one week. Safe Work Australia recommends that businesses identify affected substances, assess current controls, and implement improvements during the transition period.
Nine substances are still under ministerial review via a Decision Regulation Impact Statement process. Until ministers make a decision on each, the current WES for those nine chemicals applies. EHS Atlas monitors these decisions and updates the WEL Dashboard automatically when changes are confirmed.
Affected Industries
| Industry | Impact Level | Key Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel fabrication | high | 9 substances, manganese -98%, chromium VI -90%, nickel -99% | View Solution → |
| Mining | high | Silica -50%, coal dust -50%, diesel particulate NEW, nitrogen dioxide -83% | View Solution → |
| Construction | high | Silica -50%, diesel particulate NEW, wood dust -50%, formaldehyde -70% | View Solution → |
| Auto workshop | high | Isocyanates -75%, styrene -60% | View Solution → |
| Bakery | high | Flour dust NEW | View Solution → |
| Commercial printing | medium | IPA -50%, styrene -60%, formaldehyde -70% | View Solution → |
| Warehouse | medium | Diesel particulate NEW | View Solution → |
| Pharmaceutical | medium | Formaldehyde -70%, API-specific | View Solution → |
What you need to do before 1 December 2026
Identify affected substances
Check every substance in your chemical register against the incoming WEL list. Identify which substances have reduced limits or gain limits for the first time.
Open Module →Assess current controls
For each affected substance, determine whether your current engineering controls, administrative controls, and RPE are sufficient under the new limits.
Open Module →Commission exposure monitoring
For substances with major reductions or new limits, establish baseline exposure data now so you know where you stand before the transition date.
Open Module →Implement improvements
Upgrade ventilation, modify processes, or enhance RPE programs where current controls will not meet the new limits. Allow lead time for procurement and installation.
Open Module →Regulatory Timeline
WEL Transition Dashboard
Shows every chemical in your register, current WES, incoming WEL, % change, days until transition. Traffic light per substance.
Prepare your compliance posture before the deadline.
We will walk you through every obligation, every deadline, and every module your organisation needs.