From 1 December 2026, Australia will transition from Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) to Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for airborne contaminants.
For facilities already operating extraction and ventilation systems, this raises an important question: will the controls currently in place remain suitable under the new requirements?
An existing system may still be operating as intended, but that does not necessarily mean it is appropriate for the conditions and exposure requirements the facility now needs to manage. The transition provides a reason to review how airborne contaminants are controlled before the new limits take effect.
For a detailed breakdown of the changes, affected industries and contaminants, see Fanquip’s [2026 Workplace Exposure Limit Changes Industry Guide].
Understand where airborne contaminants are generated
Reviewing ventilation should begin with what is happening within the facility.
Consider where dust, fumes, vapours or other airborne contaminants are generated, how workers may be exposed and what controls are already in place. The objective is not simply to increase airflow, but to understand where the contaminant originates and how it should be controlled.
This is particularly important because different processes can require very different approaches. Welding fumes generated at a workstation, for example, present a different ventilation challenge from airborne contaminants accumulating across a large production area.
Safe Work Australia places ventilation within the broader hierarchy of controls, meaning engineering controls should be considered alongside elimination, substitution and isolation where reasonably practicable.
Where does ventilation fit?
Ventilation can perform several different roles depending on the process and contaminant.
| Ventilation approach | Primary role |
|---|---|
| Source extraction | Captures contaminants close to where they are generated |
| General extraction | Removes contaminated air from a wider area |
| Supply air | Replaces extracted air and supports controlled airflow |
| Filtration | Captures contaminants where air needs to be cleaned |
| Purging | Removes contaminated or stale air from enclosed areas |
The distinction matters. Installing a larger exhaust fan, for example, may not address a problem that actually requires better capture at the source.
Fanquip’s extraction solutions cover different approaches including source extraction, roof and wall extraction, axial fans and filtration depending on the application.
Is your existing system still suited to the application?
entilation systems are usually selected around a particular process, layout and operating requirement. Those conditions can change over time.
Production may increase. New machinery may be installed. Workstations can move. Ducting and filters can deteriorate or become obstructed. Building modifications can also change the way replacement air enters and moves through the space.
When reviewing an existing system, consider:
- whether the process or contaminant has changed
- where contaminants are being generated
- whether extraction is positioned effectively
- whether filters and ductwork are being maintained
- whether sufficient replacement air is available
- whether production volumes or operating hours have increased
- whether the original system still matches current operating conditions
This is why a like-for-like fan replacement is not always the answer. Fan selection is only one part of extraction performance; capture location, ducting, system resistance and replacement air can also influence how the system performs.
Air monitoring can help identify where controls need attention
Visual inspection alone cannot establish whether airborne contaminant exposure is being adequately controlled.
Air monitoring can provide a clearer picture of actual exposure and help determine whether existing controls are performing as required. This becomes particularly useful when assessing systems that were installed or previously evaluated under different operating or exposure conditions.
The result can then guide the next decision: whether existing controls remain appropriate, need adjustment or require a different engineering approach.
Rather than starting with “What fan do we need?”, the better sequence is:
Identify the hazard → assess exposure → review existing controls → determine the ventilation requirement → verify performance
Review ventilation before the deadline
Ventilation upgrades can involve assessment, engineering, equipment selection, manufacture, installation and verification. Waiting until a system is shown to be inadequate can leave considerably less time to address the problem.
Facilities preparing for 1 December 2026 can use the coming months to review:
Processes — What airborne contaminants are being generated?
Existing controls — Where and how are they currently controlled?
System performance — Is extraction still performing as intended?
Operating changes — Has production, equipment or layout changed since the system was installed?
Future requirements — Does the existing approach remain appropriate for the conditions the facility needs to manage?
The detailed regulatory changes do not need to be worked through in isolation. Fanquip’s 2026 Workplace Exposure Limit Changes Industry Guide brings together the key changes, affected industries and practical considerations for facilities preparing for December.
FAQs
The new Workplace Exposure Limits take effect on 1 December 2026. The current Workplace Exposure Standards continue to apply until 30 November 2026.
No. The first step is determining whether the existing system remains appropriate for the process, contaminant and required level of control.
Not necessarily. Some applications require capture close to the source, while others may require general extraction, filtration, supply air or a combination of controls.
Air removed by an extraction system needs to be replaced. Without an appropriate replacement-air pathway, the extraction system may not achieve its intended airflow.
A review may be appropriate when exposure requirements change, production increases, equipment or layouts change, monitoring identifies concerns, or existing extraction no longer performs as intended.