Submissions open for chemical exposure standards

A public consultation process about exposure standards for hazardous chemicals used in workplaces is now open for industry comment.

Safe Work Australia said exposure standards specify the level of airborne concentration of individual chemicals in the worker’s breathing zone which, according to current knowledge, should not cause adverse health effects or undue discomfort to workers.

Exposure standards are specified in the model Work Health and Safety Regulations as mandatory legal limits to protect the health of workers and minimise exposure to chemicals in the workplace.

Industry is being asked for their views on:

• how exposure standards are currently used
• the impacts of compliance for businesses and workers
• the role of exposure standards in the regulatory framework
• how Australia’s exposure standards can be reviewed and maintained in a timely and efficient way

“This is an excellent opportunity for workers and businesses using, storing, handling and generating hazardous chemicals, and any other interested stakeholders, to comment,” said Michelle Baxter, Safe Work Australia CEO.

“We want to hear your thoughts on the use of exposure standards, the impacts of compliance, their role in the regulatory framework and how they can best be reviewed and maintained.

“The input received through this public consultation process will help inform policy options for the regulation of workplace exposure standards.”

You can express your views by making a submission in response to The Role of Chemical Exposure Standards in Work Health and Safety Laws: Discussion Paper.

The public consultation period is open for six weeks from 9 November. Submissions close at 5.30 pm AEDT on 18 December 2015.