Respirable dust and silica monitoring: Industry compliance, emerging technologies and changes to Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) in 2026

Air quality monitoring has become increasingly critical requirement for Australian industries to comply with their Environmental Protection Licences (EPLs), Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations and Development Approval (DA) requirements. As knowledge around the impacts of air quality and the risk to health increases, regulatory requirements tighten around Australia. For businesses operating in New South Wales and beyond, understanding the landscape of dust monitoring, air quality compliance monitoring, and emerging sensing technologies is essential for maximising the benefit of these monitoring programs on workers, communities near industry and meeting compliance obligations.

The regulatory landscape for air quality and exposure monitoring

Australian workplaces face stringent requirements for monitoring airborne contaminants, particularly in industries such as mining, construction, manufacturing, and quarrying. Respirable dust monitoring is a crucial Work Health and Safety (WHS) compliance tool, especially given the serious health implications of prolonged exposure to fine particulates and the chemical constituents of these particles such as respirable silica.

WorkSafe NSW and other state regulators have intensified their focus on silica exposure, making respirable crystalline dust monitoring a non-negotiable requirement for many operations. Businesses that fail to implement proper air quality monitoring systems risk not only worker health but also significant penalties and reputational damage to their businesses.

Industry applications of dust monitoring

Effective dust monitoring serves multiple purposes in industrial settings. Compliance monitoring helps businesses demonstrate adherence to exposure standards set by Safe Work Australia, while exposure monitoring provides crucial data about worker exposure levels over time. This information enables companies to identify high-risk areas, implement appropriate controls, and verify that those controls are working effectively.

Industries commonly requiring these services include:

• Construction and demolition projects involving concrete or stone.

• Mining operations where silica-containing rock is processed.

• Stone benchtop fabrication facilities.

• Tunnelling and excavation projects.

• Manufacturing operations with dust-generating processes.

Choosing the right air quality monitoring approach

Selecting appropriate monitoring methods depends on your specific circumstances. For compliance purposes, accredited monitoring conducted by qualified professionals remains the gold standard. This ensures results are legally defensible and meet regulatory requirements. Respirable dust monitoring for workplace exposure assessment requires licencing to complete the sampling, NATA calibrated equipment, proper sampling protocols, and NATA accredited laboratory analysis.

Supplementary monitoring using emerging sensor technologies can also provide valuable continuous data between formal compliance assessments. This hybrid approach gives businesses better visibility into their air quality emissions while maintaining regulatory compliance through periodic compliance monitoring.

Environmental consultants experienced in both compliance monitoring and emerging technologies can help businesses develop comprehensive monitoring strategies tailored to their risk profile, regulatory obligations and operational needs.

Changes to Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for airborne contaminants

During 2026 there will be changes to the Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) that need to be implemented by 1 December 2026 by Persons Conducting a Business of Undertaking (PCBUs) across Australia.

Whether you need respirable dust monitoring to meet silica exposure regulations, broader air quality monitoring for environmental compliance, or guidance on integrating emerging sensor technologies into your monitoring program, partnering with experienced environmental consultants like Ecosphere Science & Technology ensures you're meeting both current requirements and preparing for future challenges.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your compliance and WHS obligations for respirable dust, airborne contaminants and air quality monitoring programs.