New 'blanket' Safe Work rules not practical, say miners and farmers

New workplace safety rules that reduce exposure limits for dust, chemicals, and gases will come into effect on December 1. However, mine and farm groups argue these measures are not practical or easily measurable. Safe Work Australia introduced the new rules, but enforcement will fall to individual states. Industry groups are pushing for changes or delays to the rollout.

Farmers and miners in Western Australia are particularly concerned about the new limits, which could disrupt their operations. The grain industry relies on fumigant phosphine to protect stored grain from insects, but the new rules slash the accepted exposure level by 80%. This reduction "almost renders phosphine unusable," according to Alastair Falconer, chair of the West Australian Grain Group.

Grain dust levels have also been halved, leaving farmers unsure how to measure compliance and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safe Work Australia claims the new limits reflect current scientific evidence and independent expert advice. They assert that workplace exposure limits are designed to protect workers and that the revised limits were agreed upon by work health and safety ministers. However, industry groups argue some limits are so low there is no practical way to measure them, creating uncertainty about compliance.

In a statement, Safe Work Australia acknowledged questions about the practical application of the new limits and is working with industry stakeholders and government agencies to provide support. Compliance is assessed through personal air monitoring of workers rather than measuring levels at fixed locations.