Drug and Alcohol testing

Saliva vs urine drug testing

By Work Health | May 22, 2017

The question of saliva vs urine drug testing is a common one when writing and implementing a workplace drug and alcohol policy. We specialise in onsite drug testing in Perth and around Western Australia and this would be the most debated question by all of our clients when starting a drug and alcohol testing program. Today, urine drug testing…

Medicinal cannabis now legal in Western Australia

By Work Health | November 9, 2016

Medicinal cannabis has just been legalised in Western Australia. Medicinal cannabis, also referred to as medical marijuana, has been classified as a controlled drug nationally from 1 November 2016. Medicinal cannabis is a term that refers to preparations made from crude or raw cannabis. From 1 November, medicinal cannabis products may be prescribed by a specialist…

Drug testing for ice – WA

By Work Health | June 10, 2016

Drug testing for ice or crystal meth has been very topical in the Perth media Sadly, WA has the highest usage of ice in the country. Ice is methamphetamine in its purest form. According to a report by CCI WA, around 7000 WA workers turn up to work either under the influence of ice or suffering an…

Mandatory drug testing – Building Code amendment

By Work Health | September 24, 2015

Drug and alcohol testing will be mandatory on large Commonwealth-funded building projects from late October. The Building Code (Fitness for Work/Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplace) Amendment Instrument 2015 stipulates that mandatory drug testing take place on the following building projects: where the Commonwealth’s contribution to the building project is at least $5 million and…

Drug and Alcohol testing

By Work Health | January 27, 2015

It is essential that everyone in the workplace is aware that alcohol and other drugs may impact on their ability to work safely and may therefore affect the safety of others. Employers in Perth and around WA have a general ‘duty of care’ obligation to ensure that, as far as practicable, workers are not exposed…

Drug and Alcohol Screening

By Work Health | October 24, 2014

Drug and alcohol screening (DAS) is most often performed as part of a workplace health and safety program, or during a pre-employment medical assessment of new staff. Before implementing a workplace testing program it is important that you have a well documented Drug and Alcohol Policy that is well communicated to all staff within your organisation.

Work skin check finds melanoma

A young workers melanoma experience We were fortunate to provide a work skin check for a fit and healthy 28 year old Perth man recently. Fortunate is a great word to use in this case. If he had left his skin check another couple of years it may have been a different prognosis. To encourage…...
Silica Health Surveillance

Silica health surveillance for any worker exposed to silica dust at work is a minimum requirement for employers. This has been reiterated by WorkSafe WA this week when announcing their latest inspection program looking at safety and health in stone bench top fabricators. Onsite health assessments Work Health Professionals will help you manage your WorkSafe…...
Annual NW Trip 2019

Mid West – Gascoyne – Pilbara – West Kimberley Our annual service trip, travelling through the Mid West, Gascoyne, Pilbara (and West Kimberley if there is sufficient demand) will be in late August and September. We are hitting the country roads again to support WA regional businesses to meet their WorkCover and WorkSafe requirements for…...
Who is exposed to silica dust?

The Cancer Council says approximately 587,000 Australian workers were exposed to silica dust while on the job in 2011. Of these, 5,758 are estimated to develop lung cancer in the future as a result of that exposure. Silica dust is harmful when inhaled into your lungs. As it is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand,…...
WorkCover hearing test

What is a WorkCover hearing test? In WA, a WorkCover hearing test is governed by WorkCover WA. Under the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981, it is compulsory for employers to arrange and pay for baseline hearing tests for all workers in prescribed “noisy” workplaces. All workers employed in a prescribed workplace for the…...