Members should be aware that new Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for airborne contaminants will take effect on 1 December 2026, replacing the current Workplace Exposure Standards. This change follows the April 2024 agreement by work health and safety ministers, with Safe Work Australia recently releasing a stakeholder pack to support the transition.

For the agricultural sector, the changes carry significant practical implications. Airborne contaminants such as herbicides, pesticides, and dusts from grain and hay are common in everyday farming operations. Of particular concern is the new limit for phosphine, widely used in grain fumigation, which drops from 0.3ppm to 0.05ppm (TWA), with a new Peak Limit of 0.15ppm replacing the previous short-term limit. The grain industry has already raised concerns about the practical ability to comply with these limits given current handling processes, fumigation practices, and available monitoring technologies.

Safe Work Australia has established a dedicated “airborne contaminants hub” with resources to help employers understand their duties, including when air and health monitoring is required, how to consult with workers, and when to engage an occupational hygienist.

This link will take you directly to their Resources: Airborne contaminants – Resources | Safe Work Australia

The PGA encourages members to review their operations early and consider what changes may be needed to manage exposure risks effectively before the December 2026 deadline.