Crossword Genius

Workplace cancelled by head lice escaping (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

office

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'workplace' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'cancelled by head lice escaping' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'cancelled' could be 'off' (similar in meaning) and 'off' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ice' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for office that I've seen before include "Position, or building in which colours in layers" , "professional business?" , "Place for administrative business" , "Room for working" , "Where many of us work" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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