Safe Work Australia has published 3 new guides to help workplaces manage exposure to airborne contaminants and prepare for the transition to workplace exposure limits. These resources provide practical and tailored information for employers, occupational hygienists and other technical specialists, as well as workers and businesses where exposure to airborne contaminants, including diesel engine emissions, may occur.
Australia is transitioning to the workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants (WEL) list. From 1 December 2026, employers must ensure that no person at their workplace is exposed to an airborne contaminant at a level above the exposure limit in the WEL list.
To support workplaces prepare for the change, Safe Work Australia has released the following resources:
Guide for PCBUs: Air monitoring and the workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants
Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), such as employers, have duties under work health and safety (WHS) laws to protect workers and others from risks associated with airborne contaminants.
The most effective way to manage these risks is to eliminate them wherever reasonably practicable. Where elimination is not possible, risks must be minimised as much as they reasonably can.
This practical guide helps employers understand their WHS duties in relation to the WEL, including how to protect workers from unsafe exposure to airborne contaminants.
The guide explains:
when air monitoring may be required
how to engage a competent person to undertake air monitoring
how to interpret and respond to monitoring results, and
common questions about air monitoring and workplace exposure limits.
Read the Guide for PCBUs: Air monitoring and the workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants to learn more.
Technical guide: Air monitoring and the workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants
This technical guide is designed for occupational hygienists and other technical professionals responsible for assessing exposure to airborne contaminants and determining compliance with workplace exposure limits.
The guide provides practical advice on:
assessing exposure to airborne contaminants
planning and conducting air monitoring
interpreting monitoring results, and
reporting findings and providing advice to employers.
It aims to support consistent, high-quality air monitoring and decision-making across Australian workplaces.
Read the Technical guide: Air monitoring and the workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants to learn more.
Managing the risks of exposure to diesel engine emissions in the workplace
A new workplace exposure limit of 0.01 mg/m3 for diesel particulate matter will apply from 1 December 2026. Diesel particulate matter is used as a measure of exposure to diesel engine emissions.
Exposure to diesel engine emissions can have serious health impacts, including lung disease and cancer. It is critical for employers to understand the risks, identify sources of exposure and implement appropriate controls to protect workers.
This new guidance supports anyone working in environments where they may be exposed to diesel engine emissions, including mining, quarrying, tunnelling, construction, agriculture, transport and logistics, oil and gas, and vehicle maintenance. The guide explains how to identify and manage exposure risks, undertake air and health monitoring, and prepare for compliance with the new workplace exposure limit.
Read the Guide to managing the risks of exposure to diesel engine emissions in the workplace to learn more.
