Chemical testing
Our Chemical Analysis Branch analyses workplace and biological samples to support risk assessments on exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Where possible, we report against occupational health and safety exposure limits.
About chemical testing
We analyse for exposure to chemicals used in the workplace to determine if occupational exposure safety standards and levels have been exceeded in order to provide our clients with the information required to complete comprehensive risk assessments.
The Chemical Analysis Branch is National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited for the majority of its analytical services to ISO/IEC 17025 and participates in various national and international testing proficiency schemes.
Our chemical testing services
The Chemical Analysis Branch is specialised in the analysis of exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace through testing of workplace and biological samples. Our state-of-the-art lab offers a comprehensive range of routine tests and is one of the few occupational analysis labs in the Southern Hemisphere that can tailor tests to meet your needs.
We ensure timely turnarounds and rigorous quality control as well as regularly investing in our own research and development to further industry standards and workplace safety.
We offer personalised support and advice on your projects and tailored analysis requests.
What we test for
In air, on surfaces or as bulk material:
- Respirable and inhalable dust, including silica and welding fumes
- BTEX and various organic vapours
- Industrial chemicals and elements
- Organic and inorganic acids
- Pesticides and drugs
- Crystalline material
- Cytotoxics and hormones
In urine and blood:
- BTEX and various organic solvents
- Industrial chemicals and elements
- Arsenic species
- Pesticides and drugs
*For a comprehensive list of all tests offered, see the Chemical Analysis Handbook for our general routine-based analyses. You can contact the lab to discuss any other analyses or projects.
Confidentiality
We ensure 100% confidentiality of analysis data between the laboratory and the customer. Your analysis results will only be passed onto you.
Our chemical testing facilities
The Chemical Analysis Branch is located at Thornleigh in the northern suburbs of Sydney.
It is a specialised occupational analytical service focusing on the presence of hazardous substances in the workplace and is NATA accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. The laboratory’s NATA accreditation number is 3726.
Tests are performed on biological (blood or urine) and workplace (air, dust, vapour, solid or liquid) samples as part of worker and workplace assessments. The main areas of analysis cover exposure to pesticides, metals, elements, solvents, organic vapours, dusts, and various inorganic and organic substances including carcinogenic substances.
The laboratory utilises a broad range of state of the art instrumental techniques which include GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, XRD, XRF, ICP-MS and FITR.
Biological monitoring in workplaces
- Phenol in urine
- TNT (Tri-nitro toluene) in blood and urine
- TTCA in urine (CS2 exposure)
- PMA in urine (Benzene exposure)
- 1-Hydroxypyrene in urine (PAH exposure)
- Isocyanates in urine
- Glyphosate in urine
- Herbicides in urine
- Organochlorine pesticides in blood
- Organophosphate pesticides exposure in urine
- Pyrethroids in urine
- MOCA in urine
- Isocyanates in urine
- Aromatic solvents Benzene, Toluene, Styrene, Xylene and Ethylbenzene
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Creosote
- Solvents in urine
- Fluoride in urine
- Fumigation
- Bromide in blood (exposure to methyl bromide)
- Timber treatment
- Elements in urine
- Arsenic speciation in urine
- Drycleaning
- TCA in urine (perchloroethylene exposure)
- Pharmaceutical compounding and health care
- Cytotoxics in urine
- Hormones exposure
Applying for a test
All samples should be accompanied with an analysis request and a chain of custody.
Sample quantities for bulk and biological monitoring analyses can vary per analysis:
- recommended for bulk analysis is 25 mL
- recommended for urine and blood is 10 mL for most analyses
- glyphosate in urine will require a minimum of 20 mL.
Samples should be shipped to:
TestSafe Australia
Level 2, Building 1
9-15 Chilvers Road,
Thornleigh NSW 2120, Australia.
Most analyses are destructive and will consume the sample completely. However, in case of non-destructive analyses and stable samples, small sized samples will be held for one year. Urine samples will be held for six weeks. Extended holding times need to be discussed with the lab. Charges may apply.
Multiple analyses for a single sample require a larger volume.
The lab can provide a wide range of sampling materials such as pre-weighed filters, tubes, badges, treated filters and urine specimen containers. Charges apply. You can contact the lab for further information.
The lab can provide shipping materials, national and international shipping to your site, and can arrange for return freight.
Shipments should be arranged as early as possible, ideally at least a day in advance. Shipment requests made after 12:00 might not be fulfilled for that day.
Collections are typically done between 2:00pm - 4:00pm and should be shipped with an overnight service. Avoid shipping over the weekend. Shipping charges can vary.
The lab can arrange for same day shipments within the Sydney area.
For samples analysed by the laboratory, we can provide urine specimen containers, an esky and ice bricks free of charge.
The lab is licensed to ship dangerous goods by air to your site. Return shipments with hazardous materials must be arranged by the you.
Contact the lab to arrange a quote or if you have questions regarding shipping times and same-day shipments for example.
Please contact the lab for a quotation.
Include the quotation number of the analysis request to ensure that the correct fee will be applied.
The standard invoice payment term is 30 days.
Chemical testing handbook
Download our Chemical Analysis Branch Handbook to learn about how we carry out testing on biological and workplace samples. The handbook includes sampling information, exposure standards and potential interferences.
Request a test
Download, complete and attach these forms to your samples before shipping to the laboratory for analysis.
Turnaround time for test results
Turnaround time standards for most analyses is five business days, following the day of sample receipt. Some analyses have 10 or 15 day turnaround times. Fast tracked turnaround times of 24/48 hours can be arranged but will attract a surcharge. Contact the lab for further information.
Reports are issued on letterhead and, where applicable, with NATA logo. The standard reporting format is PDF. All reports are issued by e-mail. Please note that the lab does not issue reports by fax. On special request, a hardcopy of the report can be provided. Charges may apply.
Re-issuing reports may attract an additional charge.
Help and support
If you have any questions about chemical testing, please get in touch.
Our office hours are: 8:30am–4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Complete our online enquiry form
Call +61 (2) 9473 4000
Email: lab@safework.nsw.gov.au