Chemicals, dusts, fumes, gases and vapours: Managing WHS risks and preparing for legislative changes

Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) are an important consideration when managing the health and safety risks of chemicals, dusts, fumes, gases and vapours (substances) used at work or generated by work processes.

A review of WES is currently being finalised Safe Work Australia and will result in the alteration of the WES for a large number of the 650 substances used in Australia which currently have a WES, and the introduction of WES for 55 substances that do not currently have a WES. This means that businesses need to review their current compliance with the relevant WES and consider the impact that changes might have on control measures, particularly if control measures need to be improved.

This webinar is designed to provide an overview of the risk management approach to managing substances, especially as airborne contaminants. It also outlines information available at the commencement of the review as to how the review was being undertaken and how businesses should go about identifying if changes to a WES would have a significant impact on business operations.

It is expected that WHS ministers will be asked to approve a range of changes to WES in mid-2023.  Further work is still be undertaken on a small number of chemicals that require further analysis before recommendations can be made to WHS ministers.

Further information about progress of the review can be found elsewhere on the dedicated WES webpage.