The start of summer 2026 signals an important milestone in how airborne contaminant risks in the workplace are managed and understood. From December 1, Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) will replace existing Workplace Exposure Standards across Australia.
This means employers must ensure no-one in their workplace is exposed to levels above the new limits, according to Safe Work Australia. The transition puts organisations in every industry generating dust, fumes and gases on notice to review how they monitor, manage and document airborne hazards.
It is important organisations:
Understand the changes and recognise the implementation deadline.
Undertake gap assessment of current operating procedures.
Ensure adequate controls are in place.
Meet requirements for ongoing record keeping.
The change enables organisations to reflect on whether existing monitoring approaches and control measures continue to provide sufficient confidence. In particular, lower limits place increased emphasis on the quality, accuracy and transparency of exposure data.
The evolution to WEL also reinforces the hierarchy of controls, according to Safe Work Australia. Engineering and administrative controls remain central to managing airborne hazards, while respiratory protective equipment plays a complementary role where residual risks remain.
As exposure limits change, organisations will need to review assumptions around respiratory protection factors, equipment selection and workforce practices to ensure controls remain appropriate and effective.
Successful uptake will need a whole-of-business approach – from change management and leadership engagement to clear communication, capability development and consistent reinforcement to help embed new expectations across operational teams and contracting arrangements.
“At the heart of the transition to WEL is protecting workers for their short, medium and long-term health,” says Marketing Manager Australia, Matt Dearsley. “There’s been a lot of publicity around the effects of engineered stone and asbestos. This is another example of protecting Australian workers. That’s the overall goal here.”
Safe Work Australia and industry have steadily increased their media activity to help businesses find solutions as the WEL era approaches.
“It's a significant industry change with enforceable limits,” he says. “Some businesses are more aware than others. But the list of questions is growing: What does this mean for me? Am I covered? Where do we get new alarm levels? How do we implement them? Do we need training? Can we get supply?”
Dräger offers a range of solutions that help organisations identify airborne hazards, monitor exposure and protect workers where risk remains.
X-am portable gas detection and calibration solutions help teams detect and monitor hazardous gases, from single-gas tasks to more complex multi-gas environments. Supporting software can help capture and manage device data, making it easier to review exposure-related information and maintain a clearer compliance record over time.
X-plore respiratory protection solutions help protect workers when hazards can’t be fully removed, with options ranging from disposable masks to powered respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Dräger maintains a portfolio of products with approvals and certifications aligned with relevant global, AS/NZS, and jurisdiction-specific regulatory requirements, where applicable.
Understand what these changes mean for your workplace. Contact Blackwoods to discuss Dräger solutions that can help monitor, manage and document airborne hazards to meet compliance requirements, and keep teams safe.