After graduating from medicine at Monash University, Dr Ooi undertook Advanced Studies in Clinical Anatomy and Graduate Diploma in Occupational and Environmental Medicine before completing specialist occupational and environmental training to become a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, RACP.

Before joining Safework Health in early 2023, Dr Ooi worked for Corporate Health Management determining employees’ fitness for duty regarding their deployments to emergency response and performing hazardous chemicals health surveillance programs.

Dr Ooi has also worked at Modern Medical providing clinical occupational medicine services to Fire Rescue Victoria as the Brigade Medical Officer. This included performing fitness for duty assessments, reviewing complex pre-employment medical assessments, and working with the Chief Medical Officer of Fire Rescue Victoria to promote the health and safety of firefighters.

Plus, Dr Ooi has worked with the Department of Health Victoria performing worksite visits and case management of workplace COVID-19 outbreaks, as well as being the Company Medical Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation.

Find out more about Safework Health’s national team.

The integrity of the sample produced by an individual is of paramount importance to the drug testing laboratory. Traditionally only creatinine has been used as a marker for confirming the validity of a human urine sample, but for synthetic urine producers this is a cheap and easy addition to a solution as well as colour to “fool” instant devices and screening machines alike.

While creatinine usually works well, it can be affected by clinical conditions and situational factors not related to attempted adulteration. These include drinking tea and coffee (both of which are mild diuretics), loss of muscle mass, renal dysfunction, and pregnancy.

Due to the rise in demand for fake urine, Safework Health’s drug testing laboratories have added additional testing analytes to their screening immunoassay methods. The addition of Urea and Uric Acid and calcium has led to a significant increase in our detection of fake urine.

Individuals trying to pass a drug test may use urinary adulterants. These are substances that are added to urine after collection to interfere with drug tests. Examples include:

• Stealth (peroxidase and peroxide)
• Klear (nitrite)
• Clean ADD-IT-ive (glutaraldehyde)
• Urine Luck (pyridinium chlorochromate [PCC])
• Iodine. Iodine is a strong oxidizing agent which can oxidize the common marijuana metabolites, commonly termed “carboxy-THC”
• Pawpaw juice. Pawpaw contains the enzyme papain, which significantly reduces the concentration of the marijuana metabolite, carboxy-THC, when added to urine.

Fortunately, detection of these adulterants is relatively easy as Safework Health’s drug screening service also tests for oxidants and pH in urine which the majority of these adulterants rely on.

Contact us today for information on how we can keep your workplace safe from synthetic urine.

Mal was born and raised in a little place called Carbunup River in the south-west corner of WA. As the son of a wharfie and farmer there was great consternation when he decided to stay at school and complete year 12 and even greater concern when he announced he wanted to go to university. After completing his undergraduate degree, he worked in a variety of roles for pathology companies including a 6-year run as the NSW manager for Healthscope Pathology.

In early 2012 Mal, with the help and support of his wife Belinda Carlisle, set up Safework Health. The rationale was relatively simple, in that we believed that we could provide a more seamless and easier experience for our customers by being a laboratory that focussed exclusively on workplace drug and alcohol testing.

As the co-founder and Managing Director, Mal and Belinda commenced at a single location at Welshpool in WA with six staff. Since then, the company has grown to seven locations across Australia and more than 200 staff. Safework Health now works with some of Australia’s largest and most respected organisations and is an industry leader in the provision of occupational health services.

When time permits, Mal enjoys chasing a little white ball around and intermittently hitting a shot in the intended direction of the hole as well as spending as much time as he can with his two boys and Belinda.

Connect with Mal on LinkedIn.

We offer our clients exceptional sales, operational, scientific, and technical support across our areas of expertise. As a vertically integrated provider, Safework Laboratories offers a seamless all-in-one drug and alcohol testing solution, which will continue under our Safework Health brand.

In the last 12 months, we have grown our portfolio from workplace drug and alcohol testing services to include pre-employment medical services. With sites in Darwin, Perth, and Adelaide, 2023 will see an expansion of pre-employment medical services nationally.

We will also introduce NATA-accredited biological health surveillance testing for metals and solvents this year, further assisting our clients to keep their workers safe from harm.

Our new trading name, Safework Health, more accurately reflects the range of health and safety services we now provide. Our legal company name and ABN have not changed; however, you will see our new name, website, and updated logo replacing the Safework Laboratories brand. Our excellent customer service and operational delivery will continue.

Our goal remains the same; Safework Health aims to provide quality health and safety workplace services, assisting our clients in maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive workforce.

When asked about the change and Safework Health’s future, Mal Beacham, Managing Director, commented, “Since our inception in 2012, Safework Laboratories has innovated, evolved and listened. Our clients’ ongoing support and the efforts of our staff remain our two greatest assets, and we will never take our clients’ support for granted. We will continue to listen and work with our clients in a collaborative partnership to provide exceptional occupational health services. Thank you for contributing to our journey since 2012, and best wishes for 2023.”

In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pre-employment drug and alcohol testing — from what they are for and the different types of methods available to the potential steps an employer must take if they suspect a job applicant is misusing substances. Read on to learn more.

Employers use pre-employment medical drug tests to identify potential employees who may be someone with substance use disorder or have been recently.

They involve analysing a sample of a person’s urine, saliva, or hair for the presence of illicit substances or drugs that could impact an employee’s job performance or safety.

Pre-screening has several benefits, as it helps employers select reliable workers who value their health and safety and the well-being of their co-workers and customers.

Pre-employment drug testing is becoming increasingly common across Australia, with employers wanting to establish a safe and productive work environment.

Drug screening typically analyse substances like alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, and opiates.

Employers need to ensure the health and safety of their employees, which is why pre-employment drug testing has become such a focus for many businesses. This helps ensure the workplace remains compliant and productive.

There are four primary methods for conducting pre-screening tests:

• Urine drug test — Used to identify any potential drug use or intoxication in candidates that could hinder their job performance and/or the safety of workplace personnel.
• Oral fluid drug test (Saliva test) — Another feasible alternative because it is less intrusive than other techniques while still providing reliable drug analysis.
• Hair follicle drug test — They provide a longer timeline of drug use on the part of an individual, which can be important when considering jobs that require frequent monitoring of such behaviours.
• Alcohol breath test — Breathalyser testing provides quick and accurate results for assessing alcohol presence without the need for invasive procedures.

These drug testing methods offer employers insight into the character and tendencies of prospective employees and an added layer of security. Failing a pre-employment test may result in the withdrawal of a job offer, as it indicates potential safety risks or non-compliance with workplace policies.

At Safework Health, we offer experienced and accredited solutions for all your workplace drug and alcohol testing needs. We are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) with locations in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Port Hedland, Darwin, and Adelaide.

Our innovative holistic approach provides comprehensive solutions, including testing and results analysis, policy development, educational workshops, certified training programs and on-site and/or in-house drug screening. We help our clients gain a more efficient and safer workplace for everyone.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your pre-screening needs.

I commenced my career undertaking research and development in the field of gas and water purification in the power industry, supported by testing conducted in the analytical laboratory. This allowed for exposure to ISO standards for quality management systems and technical competence.

After nearly a decade in the research field, I joined the national accreditation body in South Africa, where I gained knowledge in the application of ISO standards to chemical, veterinary, forensic and human pathology testing, as well as international regulations for pre-clinical studies and the conduct of clinical trials involving human participants.

After a period working at the Australian national accreditation body, I ventured back into private industry in the capacity of Quality and Risk Manager at large private pathology companies.

In a nutshell, the role ensures regulatory compliance with international accreditation and industry best-practice standards for the testing conducted in our facilities and laboratories, working in close conjunction with senior management, clinical, scientific personnel and collection personnel.

The function of my role varies daily and includes representing the company at external audits, internal audits on our workflow processes and testing procedures, continually reviewing processes for improvement opportunities, staying abreast of changes in accreditation and industry standards and opportunities for professional development.

Most importantly, I enjoy the people I get to interact with; some are starting out in their careers, while many others are recognised as industry leaders in their fields or speciality.

The importance of the requirement for testing to support industry safety standards and workplace safety, as well as the ever-changing landscape as new classes of illegal substances emerge.

My interests are varied, but could briefly be summarised as sunshine and outdoors, the ocean or countryside, dogs, walking, cycling, reading, music, and watching documentaries with a special interest in current world affairs and history.

Spend some time on the bench as a scientist or analyst, and never miss an opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge prior to moving into a quality management role.  A Quality Manager requires strong interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving ability, persistence and creativity, the ability to influence others, a strategic approach to work and a strong ability to facilitate change.

Learn more about our Team and our NATA Accredited Laboratories and Accredited Collection and Drug Testing services.

While regulations vary from state to state, this guide will provide comprehensive steps on what you can do to implement drug and alcohol testing procedures that are efficient, cost-effective, and compliant with any existing labour laws.

Drug and alcohol testing is becoming increasingly commonplace in workplaces across Australia. This process involves examining various biological specimens of a human being to identify the potential presence of alcohol or drugs within an individual’s system. The specimens used in this testing can include urine, oral fluid (saliva), breath, hair follicle and blood.

Generally, drug test results help protect everyone involved, making it an essential part of any company’s health-related policies. For instance, it can provide insight into employee health issues, identify medical fitness risks, differentiate potential candidates, maintain a safe and productive working environment, and meet government regulations.

Additionally, drug and alcohol tests are often necessary for jobs in highly regulated industries where drugs or alcohol could potentially cause a threat to public safety.

Workplace drug and alcohol testing is typically needed in several scenarios, primarily to ensure safety and productivity.

It is commonly implemented in the following instances:

1. Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing — Conducted before an individual’s start date and aims to evaluate the employee’s suitability for the role.
2. Blanket screening — Allows managers to test all employees during any given event, while ‘For Cause’ or targeted testing helps organisations identify potential drug/alcohol misuse before it becomes an issue.
3. Return to work drug testing — Used to assess if an employee is suitable to resume their duties following a leave of absence due to professional or personal reasons.
4. Call-out/accident/incident assessments — This ensures that those at accident sites take responsibility for their actions and comply with regulations. Screenings help identify substances that could result in lingering imparity and impaired reaction speed — representing a particular risk of injury on site.

Drug and alcohol testing within the workplace can be done in several ways. Here are four of the most common methods:

• Urine drug testing — A simple, cost-effective method that provides clear drug detection results with reliable accuracy. It is also one of employers’ most used drug testing services.
• Oral fluid drug testing — Less invasive than other methods, yet it still manages to analyse substances accurately.
• Hair follicle drug testing — Highly accurate method, although more expensive due to its complexity. However, its extended period for detection makes up for the cost.
• Breath alcohol testing — Breathalysers deliver almost instant results. This method is also non-invasive and highly accurate.

Awareness of the signs of substance misuse is crucial for employers — these symptoms can impact the organisation’s overall productivity. Some things to watch out for include changes in behaviour or personal hygiene, theft, violence and inconsistency with work. In particular, some behavioural changes to watch out for include:

• Sudden disinterest in work — If you notice that an employee who was once productive starts to become less reliable in deliverables or is not consistent in their work quality, and there seems to be no apparent improvement over time.
• Difficulty holding conversations — Proper communication has become difficult for the employee. Signs include trembling as they respond to conversations, difficulty maintaining eye contact and inability to articulate and answer questions well.
• Making excuses for poor work — When you notice your employee’s work habits have changed, such as constantly turning up late at work and sleeping during shifts.

However, it’s important to note that unexplained behavioural changes are not always caused by alcohol or drug use. It may be that an employee is facing challenges in their personal life, which is why it’s always essential to handle these instances with care and avoid a targeted approach.

If you suspect a co-worker is misusing drugs and alcohol in workplace, it is important to take action within your organisation. It is essential to consider both the safety of your co-worker and the safety and productivity of everyone around them. First, sit down with the individual and voice your concern in a professional but supportive way.

If this does not yield satisfactory results, it may be necessary to involve Human Resources or other relevant departments to devise an appropriate course of action. Keep in mind that taking action at this early stage can do wonders for preventing any further complications — financial or otherwise.

Drug and alcohol testing at work has become an increasingly popular tool for employers to ensure safety, responsibility and strong job performance.

Resources to help employers learn more about these tests are widely available. For example, our knowledge base section offers drug fact sheets and and blogs on related topics, such as testing guidelines and procedure information. This can help employers create a workplace drug and alcohol policy and procedure that maintains compliance with relevant local and national regulations.

The most up-to-date information on workplace drug and alcohol testing can make all the difference for employers looking for effective ways to minimise risk and promote workplace safety.

Safework Health offers reliable drug and alcohol testing services tailored for employers committed to fostering a safe workplace environment.

With NATA accreditation and over 12 years of industry experience, we provide practical and cost-effective solutions to Australian workplaces. Our services encompass onsite and in-clinic testing, laboratory analysis, policy development and review, as well as training and education programs.

Get in touch today to discover how we can assist you in implementing a reliable workplace drug and alcohol testing program.

The policy should be developed in consultation with employees, including HSE and/or unions to ensure buy in and ownership and provide a work environment free from drugs or alcohol use, which can lead to accidents or injuries on the job site. Employers should be aware of the different types of drug and alcohol testing, which include:

• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing in Australia is a good way to understand the lifestyle of someone you are considering employing.  
• Random drug and alcohol testing is the most effective way to deter drug and alcohol use at any time, including during work hours. Timing should cover all shifts over all working days.
• Reasonable suspicion (for cause) testing is a drug and alcohol testing practice that is utilised when an employer reasonably believes  a worker is under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work.
• Return to work testing (RTW) is the process of conducting drug and alcohol testing on employees returning from an absence due to a positive test result. The worker needs to test negative before being allowed back at work.
• Post-incident testing is a type of testing that occurs after an employee has been involved in an alcohol or drug incident.

Safework Health provides reliable and accredited solutions for your workplace alcohol and drug testing needs. For more information about our services, feel free to reach out to us, and we will be more than happy to help you.

Drug and alcohol testing is legal in Australia and falls under the Work Health and Safety legislation (OHS in Victoria). Hence, companies implementing drug and alcohol testing programs are not uncommon, especially in industries like mining, aviation, construction, warehousing and transport. In these jobs, executing work under the influence of drugs and alcohol may risk the life of the workers and the people around them.

Employers can test their workers for drugs and/or alcohol whilst at work provided the reasons are justified, such as health concerns, workplace safety, productivity improvement, and employee integrity and the company has a drug and alcohol policy and procedure in place.

Apart from identifying the reasons behind a drug test, a company needs to determine the types of drug tests they will require, how the results will be used and their response to a positive test result. All of this should be clear in the company’s drug and alcohol policy and procedure.

Australian Standards exist for saliva testing, urine testing and the manufacture of alcohol breathalysers. The oral fluid (saliva) and urine Standards provide guidelines on best practice to perform onsite and laboratory testing and includes specific drug classes. It also covers the different drug testing procedures one can undergo, which include:

• Workplace alcohol tests are performed using a breathalyser accredited to AS 3547:2019. Results are usually available within minutes and the Standard requires regular calibration of equipment.
• Onsite and laboratory drug test results will show what drugs are present in your system at that moment, but it doesn’t determine how much you ingested or when you took them.

If you are unsure how to implement a workplace drug and alcohol policy, please contact Safework Health today.