State Government acknowledges new phosphine limits to put existing equipment to the test

The State Government has acknowledged new phosphine workplace exposure limits will test the range of existing measuring equipment, but is maintaining its educational approach for the agricultural sector.

The new exposure limits of 0.05 parts per million, down from 0.3ppm, with the introduction of a peak limitation of 0.15ppm, have sparked fears of phosphine-resistant insects, such as weevils, and the halt of WA’s grain industry and trade.

The limits are set to come into place on December 1 unless the State Government grants a buffer, a delay industry has sought since it was proposed in Victoria.

In a letter to shadow agriculture minister Lachlan Hunter, sighted by Countryman, Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk said the Government was liaising with peak industry bodies.

In his initial letter to Ms McGurk, Mr Hunter said family and smaller farms could struggle to access correct monitoring equipment and occupational hygiene expertise, particularly during peak periods.

“Without practical and accessible methods for growers to determine their exposure levels, it is unclear how they are expected to establish what controls, respiratory protective equipment or personal protective equipment are necessary to comply with the new limit,” he said in his letter.

In her letter, Ms McGurk said technical advice received from WorkSafe occupational hygienists suggested there was monitoring equipment available for measuring phosphine.

“Direct-reading devices are available and already used within the industry, however I acknowledge that the equipment would be operating close to the limits of its applications,” she said in her letter.

“Following discussions with industry around the possibility that monitoring devices may alarm more frequently at lower concentrations, including because of cross-sensitivity at these levels leading to disruptions, I am advised that LGIRS WorkSafe is currently undertaking further analysis of this issue and exploring solutions.”

Ms McGurk also wrote that “additional agricultural guidance” to address airborne contaminants and fumigants was under development, with inspectors to carry out an “educative approach” in on-farm visits in the coming months.

“LGIRS WorkSafe commenced the first phase of its broader workplace exposure standards to workplace exposure limits campaign in August 2026, initially targeting the agricultural industry,” Ms McGurk said in her letter.

“A further campaign phase planned for October 2026 will address harvesting and exposure limits generally.”

Mr Hunter said the lack of action by the State Government before August was concerning, as was the developing advice for the industry “just weeks” before the deadline.

“Educational and farm visits are welcome, but they don’t solve the fundamental problem: can growers and grain handlers practically comply by December 1,” he said.

“You can’t educate your way around an unresolved technical problem.”

A spokeswoman for Ms McGurk said the State Government was continuing to work with industry and stakeholders, including Co-operative Bulk Handling Group.

“WorkSafe inspectors will continue their routine visits to farms and will provide advice or take enforcement action on farms at which airborne contaminants are a major hazard,” she said.

“Over the past two years, WorkSafe has held events published information and has run a dedicated WES (workplace exposure standards) to WELs (workplace exposure limits) campaign.

“The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety continues to work with industry representatives to understand their concerns and ensure guidance and support is responsive to industry concerns.”

Grain dust exposure limits are also set to come into effect on the same day, significantly decreasing an eight-hour time-weighted average from 4.0mg per cubic metre to 1.5mg per cubic metre.

Grain Producers Australia chair Matthew Madden said the organisation was concerned about the level of awareness among farmers regarding the changing limits, and that it held concerns about reasonable compliance with the new regulations.

“GPA are mindful of the broader workplace safety issues related to different types of dust such as silica dust in mining and construction, but we are frustrated with the process taken to change these regulations,” he said.

“Firstly, grain growers want to have effective communication from regulators about such changes, and we also want reasonable standards that we can actually comply with.”