Comply with reduced respirable crystalline silica WEL (0.025 mg/m³)
WEL for respirable crystalline silica is halved from 1 December 2026.
Who must comply
PCBUs with workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica (construction, stonemasonry, mining, demolition, quarrying).
What triggers it
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
When due
From 1 December 2026.
Evidence required
Air monitoring records, control plan, health monitoring records, SDS, worker training.
Max penalty
WHS category 1 — up to $20M / 25 years imprisonment depending on jurisdiction
Effective from
1 December 2026
Summary
Safe Work Australia's revised workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica drops to 0.025 mg/m³ (8-hour TWA) from 1 December 2026 (already at 0.05 mg/m³). Engineered stone fabrication is also banned. PCBUs must update air monitoring, controls, health monitoring, and worker information.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Industries
Topics
Source: https://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/crystalline-silica-and-silicosis. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.