Feedback sought on proposed workplace exposure standard for diesel particulate matter

Safe Work Australia is seeking further public comment on a proposed workplace exposure standard for diesel particulate matter.

Diesel particulate matter are the particles within diesel engine emissions (i.e. exhaust). Workers exposed to these chemicals may have an increased risk for contracting lung diseases and cancers.

To protect workers from the health risks associated with diesel engine emissions, an expert review has recommended to include an exposure standard for diesel particulate matter in the Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants.

The proposed exposure standard is an 8-hour time weighted average of 15 micrograms of respirable elemental carbon per cubic metre.

An exposure standard represents the airborne concentration of a particular substance or mixture that must not be exceeded in a workplace.

Feedback gathered from the consultation process will help inform decisions for the regulation of such exposure standard.

For more information and to have your say, please visit Safe Work’s Australia’s consultation page.

Submissions are open until 11:59 pm (AEST) Sunday 4 June 2023.