WorkSafe warns workplaces about the dangers of ozone exposure

WorkSafe Warns Workplaces About the Dangers of Ozone Exposure

WorkSafe has issued a reminder to workplaces to manage risks related to the use of ozone generators following incidents where two workers experienced negative health effects due to ozone exposure in a laundry facility at an aged care centre.

The regulator's warning highlights a critical safety gap: many workers cannot identify ozone by smell alone, and delays in addressing equipment faults can escalate a minor issue into a genuine workplace hazard.

What Happened at the Laundry Facility

WorkSafe said workers in the laundry detected a bleach-like scent, unaware it was ozone, and informed maintenance about the odour.

Several days later, maintenance personnel visited the laundry and discovered one of the ozone generators had malfunctioned, resulting in ozone leakage into the washing machines. Staff were instructed to restart the equipment without further investigation into the root cause.

Odour intensity grew stronger over time, and workers were then instructed to clean the affected washing machines.

Two workers were affected by ozone gas and experienced negative health issues such as sore throat and dizziness. Several other staff members, including contractors, were likewise exposed during this period.

Why This Matters for Workplace Safety

This incident demonstrates how faulty industrial equipment can create serious exposure risks when systems aren't properly monitored or maintained. Ozone generators are commonly used in laundry and sanitation systems across aged care, healthcare and hospitality settings, meaning similar equipment faults could put employees at other sites at risk.

Organisations relying on ozone-based sanitation systems should treat unusual odours as an immediate signal to inspect equipment, rather than a nuisance to be managed after the fact.

WorkSafe's Recommendations for Managing Ozone Risks

Following the incident, WorkSafe outlined several steps workplaces should take to strengthen safety around ozone-generating systems:

• Regularly inspect and maintain ozone generators and associated equipment to detect faults early
• Train staff to recognise the smell of ozone and understand associated hazards
• Establish clear reporting procedures when unusual odours or equipment malfunctions are noticed
• Avoid restarting faulty equipment without first identifying and resolving the underlying cause
• Review safe work method statements for laundry and sanitation systems to ensure ozone exposure risks are addressed

Businesses working with industrial cleaning or sanitation systems should also consider reviewing broader plant safety obligations. WorkSafe's guidance aligns with wider efforts to reduce plant-related hazards, similar to those addressed in the Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice.

Building a Culture of Proactive Safety

Incidents like this reinforce why workplaces need robust systems for identifying and escalating hazards before they affect staff. WorkSafe continues to remind employers across sectors that early intervention and proper equipment maintenance remain central to preventing avoidable harm.

Similar warnings have been issued in other high-risk contexts, including WorkSafe Victoria's warning to farm workers about overhead powerlines and NT WorkSafe's caution about poorly installed DC isolators, both of which point to a consistent theme: equipment faults left unaddressed create compounding safety risks.

For businesses managing similar equipment or seeking guidance on documenting safe work standards, SafetyDocs offers resources to support compliance across various industries. Learn more about our approach to workplace safety documentation.

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