Arabic version: مزارعون وشركات تعدين يشككون في حدود التعرّض الجديدة

According to ABC News, farmers and miners in Western Australia are concerned that new workplace exposure limits for dust, chemicals and gases may be too low to measure or practically comply with when they take effect on December 1, 2026.

Safe Work Australia’s revised workplace exposure limit system covers more than 600 substances and tightens limits for about 250. The agency says the limits are intended to protect workers and reflect current scientific evidence and independent expert advice. It said compliance is assessed through personal air monitoring of workers, rather than measurements at a fixed location.

West Australian Grain Group chair Alastair Falconer said the accepted limit for phosphine, used to prevent insects in stored and exported grain, would be cut by 80 per cent. He said farmers were concerned equipment may not be available to measure such low levels. He also said limits for grain dust from oats, wheat and barley had been more than halved, and called for a three-year delay while the industry researches appropriate levels and compliance methods.

Mining groups have also sought changes or a delay. Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive Warren Pearce said some limits, including for manganese dust, could be difficult to demonstrate compliance with because of measurement limits. He said mining used protective equipment, pressurised cabs, dust monitoring and watering to reduce exposure, while stressing the importance of worker safety.

Safe Work Australia said it was working with industry stakeholders and government agencies on a consistent understanding of requirements. The standards will be implemented through state legislation. WorkSafe Victoria delayed limits for 15 airborne contaminants, including phosphine, until December 1, 2029.