Workplace exposure standards and biological exposure indices

The workplace exposure standards (WES) and biological exposure indices (BEI) are intended to be used as risk criteria for health risk assessment and risk management, and applied only by people with appropriate training and experience.

All substances

Search for all substances in the workplace exposure standards (WES) and the biological exposure indices (BEI).

Applying the workplace exposure standards

How to apply the workplace exposure standards (WES).

Applying the biological exposure indices

How to apply the biological exposure indices.

WES and BEI notation explanations

Explanations of the notations used for WES and BEI.

How we set workplace exposure standards and biological exposure indices

This policy explains the role of workplace exposure standards (WES) and biological exposure indices (BEI) produced by WorkSafe and sets out the approach we take to managing and developing them.

Proposed changes to Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices

WES and BEI proposed changes 2024

WES and BEI proposed changes 2021

WES and BEI proposed changes 2020

Glossary and notations

Get familiar with the terms used within the workplace exposure standard (WES) and biological exposure indices (BEI).

Regulations, legal requirements and rights

Obligations and rights under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 (GRWM Regulations).

Health and exposure monitoring

Health monitoring and exposure monitoring are an important part of ensuring the health of workers

Managing lead-based paint

Exposure to lead-based paint can cause lead poisoning which can be a serious illness. Many older buildings have been painted with lead-based paint and precautions should be taken when removing this paint.

Operational policies

Operational policies provide the detail of the activities that contribute to programmes and overall interventions (including degrees of discretion etc) that achieve the objective of the legislation. They provide context and parameters to support discretionary decision making

Forklifts and carbon monoxide

This guidance is for PCBUs that use forklifts. It explains the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning when using fuel powered forklifts and how to keep your workers healthy and safe.

Dangers of carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a common and deadly poison. It has no smell, no taste, doesn’t irritate your nose, mouth or skin and it is invisible. It has caused serious illness and deaths at work

Welding and local exhaust ventilation

This fact sheet provides information on some of the health risks associated with welding, LEV systems used for welding and their limitations.

Management and removal of asbestos

This Approved Code of Practice sets out WorkSafe New Zealand’s (WorkSafe) expectations about how to comply with asbestos health and safety law, including the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

Industrial vacuums and portable extractors for hazardous dust

This guidance advises PCBUs how to choose, use and maintain industrial vacuums and portable extractors for controlling hazardous dust at work.

Excavation safety

Guidelines for managing the health and safety risks associated with excavation work.

Paint, printing inks and resins

Manufacturing paints and inks can have long-term effects on the health of people working in the industry. Precautions need to be taken with the range of solvents and chemical additives used in the manufacture of paints, printing inks and resins.

Proposed changes to workplace exposure standards

Work-related health

This position sets out our expectations of duty holders in following the work-related health requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.

What to know when using insecticides containing organophosphates or carbamates (OPCs)

This guide is for PCBUs, and sets out OPCs’ effects on human health and what you can do to minimise the risk.

Local exhaust ventilation

This guidance is for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs). It explains some factors to consider when selecting, using and maintaining a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system.

Health and safety in welding

Guidance covering a range of topics including training and qualifications, fire and explosion prevention, local exhaust ventilation, and noise and vibration

Controlling dust with on-tool water suppression

This guidance advises PCBUs how to choose, use and maintain an on-tool water suppression system to control dust.

Definitions and acronyms

Definitions of some key terms, concepts and acronyms used on this and other associated websites

Safe work with precast concrete

These guidelines offer advice on the safe handling, transportation and erection of precast concrete elements.

Introduction to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – special guide

A guide to New Zealand’s key work health and safety law and its regulator.

Protective clothing

This guide offers advice for PCBUs on what to consider when selecting protective clothing and outlines requirements for providing and maintaining protective clothing for workers.

Silica dust in the workplace

This guidance advises PCBUs of the risks of respirable crystalline silica dust and how to control them and protect their workers.

General risk and workplace management - part 2

Part 2 of the guidance on the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.

Maintaining air quality in enclosed cabins – for PCBUs

This quick guide is for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). It explains some factors to consider when managing risks from poor quality air in mobile plant cabins, fixed plant control rooms, and enclosed truck cabins.

Safe sheep shearing guide

The purpose of these guidelines provide advice on how to keep people safe in the shearing industry.

16.0 Exposure monitoring