Street Cleaner

Also known as:

Cleaner, Street

Introduction

Street cleaners collect litter from the street and other public areas. They generally use hand tools such as brushes and brooms, or a mechanical sweeper, to collect the rubbish.

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Work Activities

Street cleaners keep our roads and urban areas clear of litter and other debris. They collect waste from bins in public places and use brushes and shovels to clear up messy and dirty areas. Sometimes they use automatic, hand-operated cleaning machines to clean pavements and roadside gutters. In parks and green areas they brush up fallen leaves and other natural debris and use litter-picking tools to collect discarded paper. They put the refuse in sacks and may use a van to transport these to a waste disposal site for treatment by other operatives. They may use special machines to remove chewing gum from pavements.

Street cleaners are sometimes called on to help with other cleaning tasks. In a public toilet they may clean basins, toilets and floors. Street cleaners may have to keep simple records, like vehicle mileage reports.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

To be a street cleaner you must be able to put up with all weather conditions since you will be working outdoors. As much of the working day is unsupervised and involves working alone, you must be reliable and able to use common sense to overcome cleaning problems, such as dealing with minor oil spills. The work is often dirty and messy so you need to wear protective clothing and gloves. You should be able to work to a routine.

The work can involve bending and lifting, and can sometimes be quite demanding, so you should be physically fit. You should not be allergic to dust. You will need a basic technical understanding of the simple machinery, such as static compacting machines and automatic road-sweeping machines, which you will operate. As a street cleaner you need to be aware of, and use, safe working practices. Working in the local community means that you must be able to get on with the general public.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Street cleaners earn in the range of £220 - £270 a week, rising to £280 - £320. Higher earners can make around £340 a week.

Street cleaners work 39-40 hours, Monday to Friday, with early starts and occasional weekend work. Overtime is usually available.

Jobs exist throughout the country with local authorities and private contract cleaning firms.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some applicants have gained relevant practical skills and abilities in work using their hands.

• 9% of people in occupations such as street cleaning, work part-time.
• 11% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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