Workplace exposure limit

The maximum airborne concentration of a hazardous substance to which workers in Great Britain may be exposed, averaged over a specified time. Local limit values differ by jurisdiction.

Local equivalents exist but use different names or numerical thresholds. Do not apply one jurisdiction's values in another.

Also known as

WEL

By jurisdiction

🇬🇧

UK HSE

“workplace exposure limit”WELExact equivalent

Set under COSHH 2002 and listed in HSE EH40. A WEL is the maximum concentration of an airborne substance, averaged over a reference period (8-hour TWA or 15-minute STEL), to which employees may be exposed.

RegulatoryControl of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002; HSE EH40Source

🇮🇪

Irish HSA

“workplace exposure limit”No equivalent

No equivalent in this jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction note: Ireland uses Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs). See occupational-exposure-limit (C-0023).

RegulatorySource

🇺🇸

US OSHA

“workplace exposure limit”No equivalent

No equivalent in this jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction note: OSHA uses Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs). See permissible-exposure-limit (C-0024).

RegulatorySource

Note: WEL (GB), OEL (Ireland) and PEL (US) are a related family. Do not copy numerical values across jurisdictions.

Practitioner note: GB WELs (EH40) may diverge from EU OELs post-Brexit. Ireland follows EU OELs. OSHA PELs are widely regarded as outdated. Never import numeric values across jurisdictions without checking current local limits.

Same term, different meaning across frameworks

Occupational exposure limit Permissible exposure limit

How SiteChief helps

COSHH AssessmentManage substance hazards, exposure limits and health surveillance requirements.Explore COSHH Assessment Environmental MonitoringLog air quality, exposure and environmental measurements against limits.Explore Environmental Monitoring

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