News And Views

Online e-learningTraining Modules Now Available

Safety In Focus is now able to offer customised on-line eLearning modules.  These training modules can cover:

• Induction courses

• OH&S

• Policies and Procedures

• Refresher modules for any other SIF courses

These easy-to-use modules can utilise interactive multimedia elements and include an evaluation tool. They are designed to save money in your training budget and provide a resource to use when it is convenient for you. The modules can be quickly and cheaply updated as required.  Safety In Focus can help you identify your needs and create a course that delivers real and measureable outcomes. Contact us for more information.

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Training

For our 2009 training calendar refer to the training calendar icon above for all upcoming courses.

• ON-LINE Training for employers has arrived. We can offer you tailor-made programs to suit your workplace requirements or you can enquire about our existing programs and new developments.

• Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety Drug And Alcohol Programs

• LOOK at our NEW Drug and Alcohol training programs – NOW nationally VETAB accredited

• We also supply drug testing consumables, including “For Cause Kits” – our prices are very competitive and we can supply smaller quantities for small businesses.

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Safety Attitudes Testing

NEW: Safety In Focus is now accredited to provide a Behavioural Safety Assessment - "Accident Risk Management Survey" & "Safety Attitudes Indicator" able to be administered online and evaluation reporting within 24hrs.

• Sample Risk Management Survey (click here)

• Sample Safety Attitudes Indicator (click here)

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Software Solutions

NEW: Stary's Software Program: Document Management and Risk Assessments MADE EASY! Call us NOW for a free demonstration CD!!

Industry Update

DRUG TESTING IN THE WORKPLACE - NEW STANDARD 4308,

CURRENTLY IN DRAFT FOR COMMENT.

See Australian Standards Website

See Case Decision: Workplace Relations Act 1996 - Shell Refining (Australia) Pty Ltd Vs CFMEU

 This case was won by the CFMEU who wanted to replace urine testing with oral testing.

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Attention: Information that may be “food for thought”, re management of lost time, drug type definitions etc.

Hope this is of some help for your onsite drug testing.

Laboratory screening for opiates - Dr John Lewis, Head Toxicology Unit, North Ryde.

Testing for opiates is an integral part of workplace drug analysis; however, unlike other environments the only opiate identified appears to be codeine or a trace amount of morphine, attributed to codeine use. As codeine is a legal drug and available over the counter, its identification in urine does not in any way implicate the donor in using unauthorised substances. There is, however, considerable stress for both management and laboratory staff in processing urine samples following an on-site opiate presumptive positive. Employees are usually stood down until the results of the confirmatory test are known and furthermore, laboratory staff are under considerable pressure to fast-track these samples.

In order to resolve both issues we would like to propose a solution. While maintaining strict AS/NZS 4308 protocols, we would like to offer you a screening test for 6‑Acetylmorphine instead of opiates. 6-Acetylmorphine is the primary breakdown product of heroin and is positive proof of its use. It does not identify codeine or morphine. The advantage of this test is that it will be run the day we receive your sample and if negative, your employee can return to work immediately. Based on over 2000 employment tests for opiates, over 99% were either negative, or contained codeine or trace amount of morphine (attributed to codeine use). If you do not have concerns about codeine use and you wish us to ensure heroin has not been recently used, then we would be pleased to substitute 6-Acetylmorphine for the current opiate screening test. There are no extra costs for this test, and your employees can almost certainly be back to work within 2-3 hours after we receive the sample. If this test shows a presumptive positive then we would undertake the confirmatory test as normal Please advise the laboratory if you want this test performed. If you have any queries about the analysis please contact the laboratory.

Cheers,

Meredith Wales