SafeWork NSW Agency trading as TestSafe Australia

TestSafe Australia, trading as the SafeWork NSW Agency, is a leading independent testing laboratory located in Thornleigh, New South Wales, Australia. As part of the WorkCover NSW government agency, TestSafe has operated for over 50 years and is recognized as the largest testing facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and maintains multiple accreditation sites serving diverse industrial sectors across Australia and internationally.

The laboratory offers comprehensive chemical analysis services covering workplace air quality, surface contamination, bulk material analysis, and biomonitoring. Their chemical testing portfolio includes analysis of dust (respirable and inhalable silica), welding fumes, organic vapors and gases, volatile organic compounds (BTEX), pesticide residues, heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium), and industrial chemicals. Specialized testing extends to lead in paints, nickel quantification, nicotine analysis in e-cigarette products, isocyanates, inorganic gases, amines, solvents, aldehydes, cytotoxics, hormones, and asbestos/mineral fiber identification. The facility is particularly renowned for crystalline silica testing with over 30 years of specialization, making it a leading laboratory in this field across Australia.

TestSafe's analytical instrumentation reflects modern testing capabilities including GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, XRD (X-ray Diffraction), XRF (X-ray Fluorescence), FTIR, HPLC, Ion Chromatography, UV-vis Spectrophotometry, and Polarized Light Microscopy. These instruments enable precise identification and quantification of analytes across a broad range of sample matrices including air samples, surface wipes, dust, welding fumes, biological specimens (blood and urine), paints, and solid materials. The laboratory maintains two primary facilities: the chemical analysis branch in Thornleigh and a mechanical/electrical testing facility in Londonderry. Both locations operate under rigorous quality management systems and participate in national and international proficiency testing schemes to ensure analytical accuracy and regulatory compliance.

The laboratory serves diverse industries including mining and smelting operations, agriculture and pesticide manufacturing, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, polyurethane manufacturing, fumigation and timber treatment, dry cleaning services, and manufacturing companies requiring product certification for Australian and international markets. TestSafe provides specialized occupational health and safety analytical services supporting workplace exposure assessment and biological monitoring programs. Additionally, the facility operates IECEx and ANZEx certified testing for electrical and mechanical equipment used in hazardous (explosive) atmospheres, extending their scope beyond chemistry into equipment certification and compliance testing to AS/NZS standards.

TestSafe maintains full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for chemical and calibration testing, NATA accreditation number 3726 (originally accredited July 1992), and operates under frameworks aligned with OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice. The laboratory holds mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) through NATA with international accreditation bodies, enabling test results to be recognized globally. Quality assurance is demonstrated through continuous participation in external proficiency testing programs and regular NATA surveillance audits. The facility's government backing (WorkCover NSW) ensures operational stability and accountability to regulatory standards.

For testing quote requests and inquiries, the Chemical Analysis branch can be contacted at the Thornleigh facility (Level 2, Building 1, 9-15 Chilvers Road, Thornleigh NSW 2120) by phone at +61 (02) 9473 4000 or email at lab@safework.nsw.gov.au. Standard turnaround times are 5 business days following sample receipt, with expedited 24-48 hour options available for additional fees. The laboratory's technical expertise, comprehensive accreditation, advanced instrumentation, and decades of experience make it a credible and trusted testing partner for organizations requiring chemical analysis and occupational exposure assessment across multiple industries and geographic markets.