Cleaner - Industrial

Also known as:

Office Cleaner

Introduction

Industrial cleaners make sure that offices, shops, hospitals, schools or factories are clean. They use industrial equipment and chemicals for cleaning. Most of this work takes place during early mornings, late evenings or at weekends.

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Work Activities

Industrial cleaners do cleaning work in factories, shops and offices.

The work they do depends on the kind of place they work in and the standards set by the employer. But most cleaners will do the following tasks:
• washing
• dusting
• vacuuming
• polishing
• tidying
• removing rubbish.

They do these tasks in the different parts of the buildings they work in. For example they clean:
• toilets
• manufacturing areas
• display areas
• staff rooms
• computer rooms
• food premises
• factory machinery
• curtains, blinds and upholstery
• lights
• windows
• walls
• floors
• ceilings
• building exteriors.

Industrial cleaners use familiar domestic appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, and larger industrial machines such as scrubber-dryers, high-pressure hoses, sandblasting equipment and various chemicals.

Some industrial cleaners carry out some or most of these tasks while others clean just one area, such as toilets.

Cleaners may work on their own or as part of a team.

Industrial cleaners may have to work in dirty and dusty conditions. Uniforms and protective clothing are usually supplied

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You should enjoy doing practical tasks and paying attention to detail. You should be well organised and able to do your work well without supervision. If you are working with other cleaners you should be able to work in a team.

You need a knowledge of different cleaning equipment and products.

You will also have to be able to understand written and spoken instructions. You should be honest and reliable. You need to be fit and active as you will be on your feet most of the time and some of the equipment can be heavy.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for industrial cleaners vary widely depending on the industry and the type of cleaning required.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Cleaners earn in the range of minimum wage up to around £12.00 an hour.

Industrial cleaners work 35-39 hours a week. Shift work, early starts, late finishes and weekend work may be required. Overtime is often available.

Jobs exist throughout the country in offices, shops and factories. About a million people in the UK work as cleaners.

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Adult Opportunities

It is 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 entrants have relevant skills and abilities gained in industrial environments, for example, as a factory production worker, or in other practical work.

• 70% of people in occupations such as industrial cleaning work part-time.
• 3% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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