Reviewing the Australian Workplace Exposure Standards

Session information

WSP was engaged by Safe Work Australia to review 726 chemical WES which included providing recommendations on the WES values, notations and the list of chemicals. The objective of the review was to ensure the WES were up-to-date and based on the highest quality, contemporary evidence and supported by a rigorous scientific approach. The evaluation process involved integrating information from a set of reputable primary data sources with supporting information from secondary sources consulted at any point during the evaluation process to confirm or clarify detail, or to resolve uncertainty.

A risk-based approach was applied to confirmed or assumed non-threshold based genotoxic carcinogens with values set at a minimal cancer risk level. Non-carcinogens values were derived from the point of departure on the concentration-response or dose-response curve for the critical effect, established from experimental or observational data. Respiratory and skin sensitisation evidence and the potential for systemic effects due to skin absorption were also considered.

This presentation provides a discussion of the process from the lead toxicologist’s point of view.

Session Presenter

Nathan Aust | Principal Toxicology and Risk Assessment WSP Australia Pty Limited

Nathan Aust is a recognised Registered Professional in the field of Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment (RACTRA), a full member of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (MAIOH), a Licensed Asbestos Assessor and a trained Public Health Professional. Nathan has over 20 years' experience, working in senior level positions in both the private and public sectors, managing and successfully delivering multiple high-profile projects ranging from assessment of public exposures to contaminants in the environment to national level policy development and advice.

Event Summary

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Contact

Please contact Baeu Medina AIOH Conference and Events Manager if further information is required, 0488 733 814 | Conference@aioh.org.au