In April 2026, SPASA advised members that Safe Work Australia (SWA) had proposed significantly lower airborne workplace exposure limits (WELs) for nine chemicals, including Chlorine. A decision which would have had profound consequences on almost all sectors of the swimming pool industry.
Read the original article here: https://www.spasa.com.au/news/safe-work-australia-proposed-changes-to-workplace-exposure-limits-for-chlorine
Last week SWA released all its information regarding Australia’s transitioning from the Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants (WES list) to the Workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants (WELs list). The new WELs come into effect on 1 December 2026.
Within this significant information release, SWA revealed the new WELs airborne contaminants hub and the associated range of information and resources.
The airborne contaminants hub brings together practical information and resources to support employers, workers and technical audiences, including occupational hygienists and WHS professionals, to prepare for the transition.
Most relevant for members, the new WELs list confirmed that there is no change to the WELs for Chlorine.
*8-hour time-weighted average
* Short-term exposure limit
You can download the guide Changes to Workplace Exposure Limits - May 2025 to see what is changing.
The new WELs list is available on the SafeWork website in different formats here: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/workplace-exposure-limits-airborne-contaminants
You can view the airborne contaminants hub and access all the resources here: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/managing-health-and-safety/airborne-contaminants/resources#stakeholder-pack
Other helpful and relevant resources include:
If members have further questions, please contact Policy Manager, Ben Makepeace [email protected]