32
workers died in 2024 across the oil and gas producers that report to the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), five more than in 2023.
Oil, gas and energy
Drug and alcohol testing for Malaysian oil, gas and energy sites
Refineries, plants, pipelines and offshore platforms run on safety-critical tasks, where one impaired decision can hurt people and stop operations. Give your supervisors and contractors the breathalyzers, drug test kits and policy they need to keep every shift fit for work.
Testing equipment
for plants, platforms and remote sites
Pick the method that fits each situation on site. Many operators use more than one.
Breath alcohol testing
Wall-mounted breathalyzers at the site gate or control room entrance test each worker in seconds. Portable units suit spot checks in the plant and at remote or offshore sites. Every unit is certified to Australian Standard AS3547.
Saliva drug testing
Saliva kits detect recent drug use, from roughly the last 5 to 48 hours. Testers can collect with no toilet or private room, which suits remote and offshore sites.
Urine drug testing
MDA-registered UDAT kits show use over a longer window. They suit pre-employment and pre-mobilisation screening.
Third-party on-site testing
Some operators prefer an independent provider to run testing days at the plant or yard. We can advise on what to look for in a provider and supply the same certified equipment for your own team.
Which energy businesses
need drug and alcohol testing?
Any site where an impaired worker could hurt themselves, others or the environment. That includes:
- Operators of refineries, plants and terminals
- Offshore platforms and support vessels
- Pipeline and gas distribution companies
- Power plants and utilities
- Drilling, fabrication and maintenance contractors
- Manpower suppliers sending contract crews to plants and platforms
The cost of
impairment on an energy site
In a plant or on a platform, one impaired decision can hurt people, harm the environment and stop operations. A testing program helps you find the risk before it becomes an incident.
Process safety incidents
Valves, pipework and live equipment leave no room for a slow reaction or a missed step.
Work at height and confined spaces
Impairment makes climbing, lifting and confined space entry far riskier.
Remote and offshore rotations
Long rotations away from home and limited supervision can make impairment harder to spot.
Shutdowns and lost production
An incident can stop operations, trigger an investigation and delay work.
Lost contracts
Operators expect contractors to manage drug and alcohol risk. Weak controls can cost you the next tender.
Higher insurance costs
A weak incident record raises premiums and can cost you contractor approvals.
What should an oil and gas drug and alcohol policy
contain?
A clear policy tells workers what is expected, when they will be tested and what happens after a non-negative result. Check your client requirements first, as operators often set their own rules for contractors. Add impairment as a hazard in your HIRARC so testing links back to your risk assessment.
Pre-employment and pre-mobilisation
Screen new workers and contractors before they start or mobilise to site.
Pre-shift
Breath test workers on safety-critical tasks before they start their shift or enter the work area.
Random testing
Draw a random sample of workers and contractors on a set schedule, so everyone knows testing can happen.
Reasonable suspicion
Test when a supervisor notices signs of impairment before or during a shift.
Post-incident
Test after any incident, near miss or damage to equipment.
Return to work
Spell out the steps for a worker returning after a non-negative result or treatment.
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, Section 15
Your duty as an employer to provide a safe and healthy workplace, as far as practicable. It extends to the contractors working on your site.
OSHA 1994, Section 24
Every worker must take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others in their work area.
DOSH Code of Practice (2005)
DOSH guidance for employers on policy, committees and training to prevent drug, alcohol and substance abuse at work.
DOSH HIRARC guidelines
DOSH's process for identifying hazards, assessing risk and choosing controls, with impairment added as a hazard.
Personal Data Protection Act 2010
The rules covering how test results and personal data of workers and contractors are collected, stored and shared.
Client and operator requirements
Operators often set their own alcohol and drug rules for contractors. Check your client policy before your crew goes to site.
What energy sites
usually screen for
What an energy site screen can cover
AlcoholCannabis (THC)AmphetaminesMethamphetamineCocaineOpiatesBenzodiazepinesKetum / Kratom
Which drugs show up, and for how long, depends on the test device, sample type and panel selected.
Use a certified breathalyzer to screen for alcohol
Get a reading in seconds at the gate or control room and keep a record of every test.
Use saliva or urine kits to screen for drugs
Non-negative results should be confirmed by an accredited laboratory, with test records kept for client and regulator audits.
From first call
to testing at the gate
Talk to an advisor Oil, gas and energy testing guides
Guides to help you build and run a drug and alcohol program for your plants and platforms.
Guide
How to implement drug and alcohol testing in Malaysian workplaces
A step-by-step guide to putting a testing program in place at your plants and sites.
Guide
Beyond OSHA Section 15: reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing
How reasonable suspicion testing works and when supervisors should call for it.
Guide
DOSH recommends breathalyzers to enhance workplace safety
DOSH's view on using breathalyzers to improve safety at work.
Guide
Understanding next-day alcohol impairment in the workplace
Why last night's drinking can still affect someone on an early shift or crew change.
Guide
How to detect alcohol use at work sensitively
A sensitive way to handle suspected alcohol use at work.
Guide
Drug abuse in the workplace: what Malaysia's latest stats reveal
How the latest Malaysian drug figures affect employers.
Frequently asked
questions
Still unsure? Talk to our team and we will help you choose the right testing approach for your operations.
Can an oil and gas company test workers for drugs and alcohol in Malaysia?
Yes, typically under a written policy that workers and contractors are aware of and agree to. OSHA 1994 and the DOSH Code of Practice support such policies. Your HR or legal adviser can check your contracts and client terms.
Do our contractors have to follow our policy?
Yes, if your contract says so. Check your client policy too, as operators often set their own rules for contractors.
Can we test crews at remote or offshore sites?
Yes. Handheld breathalyzers and saliva kits are portable, so crews can test on site. For several sites, Andalink collects every result in one dashboard.
Which test is best at a busy site entrance?
Breath tests take seconds, so they work well at the entrance. Use saliva kits after incidents or on reasonable suspicion.
Do you carry out testing at our sites?
No. We supply equipment and advice on your policy and process; your own people or an appointed provider carry out the tests.
How often does a breathalyzer on a plant or platform need calibration?
Once a year from the date of purchase. We calibrate at our local office and send a reminder.