Introduction
Safe Work Australia (SWA) has announced significant changes to workplace exposure standards for phosphine gas, a fumigant widely used in grain storage. The time‑weighted average (TWA) exposure limit has been reduced from 0.3 parts per million (ppm) to 0.05 ppm. This change, coming into effect soon, represents a major shift in how farmers must handle fumigation and storage safety. (The Land)
Why the Change Matters
Phosphine is critical for controlling pests in stored grain, but it also poses health risks when inhaled. Long‑term exposure can cause respiratory issues, headaches, and more severe health impacts, which is why regulators are demanding tighter controls. The new lower exposure limit means farmers will need to invest in safer storage systems, ensure better sealing of silos, and adopt stricter fumigation practices. For many, this represents a cultural shift in how fumigation is carried out.
Impacts on Grain Storage Practices
The changes will require significant adjustments:
- Gas‑tight silos become essential to contain fumigant effectively and ensure exposure levels outside the silo remain below legal limits.
- Improved monitoring equipment will help measure gas concentrations both inside and outside storage structures.
- Worker training will be vital to protect staff during application and monitoring.
Compliance Requirements
Farmers in NSW and QLD must now plan ahead:
- Conduct safety audits of existing silos to check compliance.
- Upgrade to AS2628‑compliant, gas‑tight silos designed for fumigation.
- Train and certify staff in fumigant handling.
- Adopt monitoring technologies that give real‑time readings of phosphine levels.
Practical Challenges
For smaller operators, upgrading infrastructure may feel costly. However, non‑compliance could risk fines, lost contracts, and compromised worker safety. The shift also highlights the need for farms to consider shared storage or co‑operative investment models to spread the financial burden.
Opportunities for Farmers
While it may feel like a burden, compliance offers opportunities:
- Improved grain quality: Gas‑tight systems reduce re‑infestation and preserve grain for longer.
- Market access: Meeting compliance ensures grain can be sold into both domestic and export markets where safety standards are increasingly strict.
- Operational efficiency: New technology reduces manual checks and cuts down on fumigation errors.
Conclusion
The new safety standards may feel challenging, but they also represent an opportunity to upgrade storage systems and improve grain quality. Gwydir Group can help farmers stay compliant and protect both workers and harvests with AS2628‑certified silos.