New Workplace Exposure Limits from December 2026: Is Your Ventilation and Extraction Suitable?

Australia is transitioning to new Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for airborne contaminants from 1 December 2026. For workshops, factories and other industrial workplaces, this is a timely reason to review how dust, fumes, vapours and gases are controlled.

The right approach depends on what your workplace generates and how people may be exposed. General ventilation, extraction at the source and filtration each serve a different purpose.

What are the WEL changes?

Workplace exposure limits set maximum airborne concentrations of specified substances or mixtures that must not be exceeded.

The new WEL list replaces the Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) list. Some exposure values, substance listings and health-related notations are changing, but not every limit is becoming lower.

Existing WES requirements continue until 30 November 2026. Businesses should check the substances relevant to their operations and confirm requirements with their state, territory or Commonwealth WHS regulator.

See Safe Work Australia’s explanation of the changes between WES and WEL.

Which ventilation or extraction approach suits your application?

Before selecting equipment, identify the process, materials and contaminants involved. A fan used to remove hot, stale air from a warehouse performs a different job from an extraction arm positioned beside a welding task.

General ventilation

Roof fans, wall exhaust fans, axial fans and inline duct fans can provide air exchange in suitable industrial and commercial spaces.

These products help move air through a building or duct system. Selection should consider the required airflow, replacement-air provision, system resistance and compatibility with the air being handled.

Where a process generates hazardous contaminants, general ventilation may need to be supported by dedicated extraction and other controls.

Explore Fanmaster’s ventilation and extraction range.

Extraction at the source

Local extraction captures contaminants close to where they are generated, helping limit their spread through the workplace.

Adjustable fume arms allow the extraction hood to be positioned near the task. Depending on the application, captured air may be ducted to a suitable outdoor discharge point or a compatible centralised filtration system.

The hood position, operating airflow, ducting and discharge arrangement all affect performance. The complete system must suit the process and contaminants involved.

View Fanmaster Industrial Fume Arms.

Filtered fume collection

Portable fume collectors combine extraction at the source with filtration. They can provide a mobile option for suitable welding and fabrication tasks.

Where filtered air returns to the workshop, the filtration system must be appropriate for the contaminants collected. A particle-filtration efficiency rating alone does not establish suitability for every fume, gas or vapour.

Selection should consider the process, materials, capture requirements, filter performance and maintenance needs.

View Fanmaster Portable Fume Extractors.

Supplementary air filtration

Air scrubbers draw surrounding air through filters to help reduce suitable airborne particles.

They can supplement an assessed ventilation and exposure-control arrangement. However, filtering room air serves a different purpose from capturing contaminants directly at the point of generation.

Choose the unit and filters for the application, room volume, airflow requirements and operating conditions.

Explore Fanmaster Air Scrubber Purifiers.

What should businesses review now?

Start with the activities that release airborne contaminants, then check whether existing controls remain appropriate.

• Identify the contaminants. Review processes, materials, product labels and Safety Data Sheets.
• Check the relevant limits. Compare the substances used or generated with the official WEL list.
• Review existing controls. Consider whether the hazard can be eliminated or reduced through changes to materials, processes, isolation or extraction.
• Check equipment performance. Inspect hood positioning, ducting, filters, discharge arrangements and maintenance.
• Assess actual exposure. Obtain competent advice and arrange air monitoring where required.

Air monitoring is required where there is uncertainty on reasonable grounds about whether exposure exceeds the applicable standard or limit, or where monitoring is necessary to determine a health risk. An occupational hygienist can assist with this assessment.

Read Safe Work Australia’s guidance on airborne contaminant duties and air monitoring.

Does new equipment establish WEL compliance?

Installing a fan, extractor or air scrubber does not, by itself, demonstrate that workplace exposure limits are being met.

Performance depends on the complete arrangement, including equipment selection, installation, positioning, operation and maintenance. Businesses must also continue to eliminate or minimise exposure risks so far as reasonably practicable, including where exposure is below a limit.

Discuss your application with Fanmaster

Fanmaster supplies ventilation fans, extraction arms, portable fume collectors and air scrubbers for industrial and commercial applications.

Our team can help you understand product specifications and discuss equipment options. When enquiring, let us know what process you are carrying out, the materials involved and any proposed ducting or filtration. Hazardous or complex applications may require assessment by an occupational hygienist or ventilation specialist.

Call Fanmaster on 1300 900 345 to discuss your ventilation and extraction requirements.

For official information, visit Safe Work Australia’s Workplace Exposure Limits guidance.

Information current at 29 October 2026. This article provides general guidance. Confirm the requirements applying to your workplace with the relevant WHS regulator.