Safety Built Into Every Ozone System

Ozone is a highly effective treatment technology, but it must be generated and managed carefully. Because excessive ozone concentrations can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, every installation should be designed around the application, the working environment and the people who use the facility.

Controlled Ozone Production

Ozone is generated only when it is required, with output matched to the treatment process. Timers, flow controls, dosing controls and other operating limits can be used to prevent unnecessary ozone production. The appropriate controls depend on whether ozone is being applied to water, air, equipment, produce or another process.

Continuous Monitoring and Automatic Shutdown

Where there is a possibility of ozone entering an occupied area, suitable ozone sensors can continuously monitor the surrounding air. Systems may include visible and audible alarms, automatic shutdown controls and safety interlocks. If ozone rises above a predetermined level, generation can be stopped and the area ventilated before normal operation resumes.

Effective Ventilation and Ozone Destruction

Good ventilation is an important part of ozone safety. Any unused or off-gassed ozone should be safely contained, extracted or passed through an appropriate ozone destruction system. Equipment placement, airflow and ventilation requirements should be assessed for each installation, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.

Protecting Staff and Visitors

Safe systems are designed to minimise the possibility of people being exposed to ozone. Depending on the application, protection may include restricted treatment areas, warning signs, door interlocks, remote operation and delays that allow ozone to break down before staff re-enter an area. Ozone should never be intentionally released into an occupied space unless the system has been specifically designed and verified as safe for that use.

Training and Routine Maintenance

Operators should understand how the system works, how to recognise an alarm and what to do if a fault occurs. Clear operating procedures, emergency instructions and appropriate staff training should form part of every installation. Sensors, alarms, ventilation equipment, tubing, seals and ozone generators should also be inspected, tested and maintained according to the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.

New Zealand Workplace Requirements

New Zealand businesses must identify and manage risks to workers and other people under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and associated regulations. WorkSafe New Zealand currently lists a workplace exposure ceiling for ozone of 0.1 ppm, or 0.2 mg/m³. A ceiling value is a concentration that should not be exceeded at any time during the working day.

WorkSafe advises businesses to aim for airborne concentrations well below the applicable workplace exposure standard. The controls required will depend on the workplace and application, and specialist occupational hygiene or safety advice may be appropriate when designing controls or carrying out exposure monitoring.

A Safety-Led Approach

Novozone considers ozone generation, monitoring, ventilation, shutdown safeguards and operator requirements when developing a solution. Every workplace is different, so the final system design and safety measures should be based on a site-specific assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.