Are you prepared for Australia's New Workplace Exposure Limits ?
the countdown is on →
AEST
Real-Time Silica & Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Exposure Management
Be Ready for the New Workplace Exposure Limits Effective 1 December 2026
Australia’s workplace exposure requirements are changing. From 1 December 2026, organisations will be expected to comply with stricter Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), placing greater emphasis on protecting workers from respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposure.
For underground mining operations, meeting these new requirements will demand more than periodic sampling and manual reporting. It requires continuous visibility, rapid response and the ability to demonstrate compliance with confidence.
HELIX Intelligent Control provides a connected platform that combines real-time environmental monitoring, personnel tracking and operational intelligence to help mines proactively manage workplace exposure risks while improving safety and operational performance.
Is Your Mine Ready?
Many operations are still relying on historical sampling methods that provide results days after an exposure event has occurred.
Ask yourself:
- What airborne hazards present across your operation, such as silica (RCS)?
- Are underground workers exposed to diesel particulate matter?
- Are you relying on periodic monitoring instead of real-time visibility?
- Can you identify exactly who has been exposed and where?
- Can you easily demonstrate compliance during an audit?
If these questions raise concerns, now is the time to prepare
Why the New Workplace Exposure Limits Matter
The new Workplace Exposure Limits significantly reduce allowable worker exposure to airborne contaminants, particularly diesel particulate matter.
Diesel particulate matter is classified as a known human carcinogen, with long-term exposure linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness and reduced lung function. Underground mining environments present elevated risks due to confined spaces, continuous diesel equipment operation and ventilation constraints.
Traditional exposure monitoring methods often require laboratory analysis, meaning results may not be available until days after sampling has occurred.
By then, workers may already have experienced excessive exposure.
From Reactive Monitoring to Real-Time Intelligence
HELIX transforms exposure management by connecting multiple sources of operational data into a single, intelligent platform.
Instead of waiting days for laboratory results, mines gain immediate visibility of airborne hazards and worker exposure, enabling action while people are still underground.
Monitor
Real-Time Environmental & Exposure Intelligence
- Real-time silica (RCS) monitoring.
- Continuous DPM monitoring.
- Dust and airborne contaminant monitoring.
- Environmental sensor integration.
- Site-wide alarms and notifications.
- Exposure trend analysis.
Tracking
Know Who Was Exposed
By combining environmental monitoring with personnel tracking, HELIX provides complete exposure traceability.
- Worker locations in real time
- Movement through high-risk areas
- Exposure linked to individual personnel
- Exposure attribution by location and activity
- Faster emergency response and investigation capability
Manage
Turn Data into Action
HELIX converts monitoring data into operational intelligence by delivering:
- Automated alerts when exposure thresholds are approached
- Live operational dashboards
- Digital compliance reporting
- Complete audit trails
- Enterprise-wide visibility
- Recordable corrective actions and incident history
What does GOOD look like ?
With HELIX you can:
✔ Know where every worker is.
✔ Know exactly what they are exposed to.
✔ Act before exposure limits are exceeded.
✔ Demonstrate compliance with confidence.
✔ Improve health outcomes while reducing operational risk.
Why Choose HELIX?
HELIX brings together:
- Real-time environmental monitoring
- Personnel tracking
- Operational intelligence
- Automated alerts
- Exposure traceability
- Compliance reporting
… all within a single integrated platform designed specifically for underground mining. This connected approach enables better decisions, proactive risk management and safer, more productive workplaces.
Preparing for December 2026 Starts Today !
The new Workplace Exposure Limits are more than a regulatory change … they represent an opportunity to improve worker health, strengthen operational performance and modernise exposure management.
By implementing real-time monitoring and connected operational intelligence today, your mine can confidently transition from reactive compliance to proactive protection.
Download our WEL Flyer →
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