GTA, alongside the National Working Party on Grain Protection (NWPGP), Grain Growers Limited (GGL), and Grain Producers Australia (GPA), has written to SafeWork Australia (SWA) to formally raise concerns about the proposed changes to Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for phosphine, due to take effect from 1 December 2026.
February’s Grain Matters reported on the proposed Changes to Phosphine Fumigation Standards. The proposed lower limits raise questions about industry’s ability to safely and practically comply, given current grain handling processes, fumigation practices, and available monitoring technologies.
To help address these challenges, through a coordinated approach, the industry is initiating a number of research projects to determine an agreed, practical mechanism for managing phosphine fumigation and regulatory compliance. Part of this research will support the development of revised phosphine labels to be presented to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for ratification. The labels are expected to reduce non-compliance risk and will be supported by an industry strategy on managing non-compliance and fumigation best practice.
The grain industry has a long-standing record of managing phosphine safely and in line with regulatory requirements. However, given the scale and complexity of the proposed changes and the potential for disruption to the grain industry, these projects are necessary. This includes engagement with SWA, hence the request to meet with SWA to discuss the proposals further.
For more information, including a guidance document on Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants (WES), is available from the SafeWork Australia Phosphine page on the GTA website.
