Our departments
Six departments make up the business. Each page shows the purpose, the people, the measures that matter and the systems the team works in.
Sample Reception and Logistics
Receives every sample that arrives by courier, field vehicle or client drop-off, checks it against the chain of custody, registers it in the laboratory information system and prepares it for the testing sections. The team also manages sample storage, holding times, retention and disposal, and dispatches sampling kits to clients.
Analytical Chemistry
Performs wet chemistry, spectrometric and chromatographic analysis of water, soil, food and materials samples, including metals by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, nutrients by discrete analyser, hydrocarbons by gas chromatography and general chemistry such as pH, conductivity and alkalinity. Chemists prepare solutions, run calibrations and quality control and interpret data before release.
Microbiology and Food Testing
Tests water and food for indicator organisms and pathogens, performs shelf life and challenge studies and runs sensory and compositional food analyses. The section operates in a separate suite with restricted access, prepares its own culture media, controls cross-contamination through strict aseptic technique and holds an on-call roster for urgent client results.
Construction Materials and Geotechnical
Tests concrete, aggregates, soils and road base for civil contractors, councils and quarries in the materials hall and on construction sites. Technicians cure and crush concrete cylinders, grade aggregates, classify soils and perform compaction and density testing, and report to the relevant Australian Standards for construction materials.
Field Sampling and Environmental Monitoring
Collects representative samples of water, soil, sediment, air and construction materials at client sites, takes on-site measurements with calibrated field meters, maintains chain of custody and transports samples under temperature control to the laboratory. The team also installs and services monitoring equipment and supports consultants on site investigations.
Quality, Compliance and Client Services
Maintains the quality management system and accreditation, runs internal audits, proficiency testing and management review, manages nonconformances, complaints and corrective actions, and controls documents. Client Services quotes work, answers client questions, issues test reports and manages the client job register from enquiry to invoice.