Majority of Australian states delay stricter chemical exposure limits

A majority of Australian state and territory governments have deferred stricter workplace exposure limits for nine hazardous chemicals, including respirable crystalline silica, benzene and formaldehyde. The chemicals affect workers in demolition, construction, tunnelling and healthcare.

Safe Work Australia had recommended halving the respirable crystalline silica limit from 0.05 milligrams per cubic metre to 0.025 milligrams per cubic metre.

Report findings A Regulatory Impact Statement released by Safe Work Australia calculated that implementing the new limits would cost employers $31 billion over ten years, with most of the cost falling on the mining sector. The same analysis estimated that continued exposure to five of the nine chemicals at current limits would cost $13.1 billion over the next decade.

The report concluded that health and economic benefits would outweigh the costs through reduced disease, lower healthcare spending and higher productivity. It also identified commercially available measurement methods for all nine chemicals at the proposed limits.

Worker impact Workers exposed to the chemicals currently undergo health monitoring before and during employment. Around 3 million workers are exposed to one or more of the nine substances. A second assessment by the workplace regulator confirmed that current exposure limits for all nine chemicals are unsafe.

The proposed rollout date of December 1 has been placed on hold pending further work by Safe Work Australia.

Next steps Unions have stated they will continue working with state and territory governments to implement the lower limits. The changes require support from at least two-thirds of jurisdictions to become law.