Regular industrial cleaning is a vital part of a successful, efficient, compliance, and safe facility. We created this guide to illustrate why industrial cleaning is non-negotiable and what is involved in industrial cleaning, including equipment and tools needed.
What Is Industrial Cleaning?
Industrial cleaning refers to the specialised cleaning and sanitisation of manufacturing and industrial facilities.
Along with standard cleaning practices, industrial cleaning involves disinfection, specialised knowledge of cleaning large-scale facilities, and access to commercial-grade equipment.
Examples of facilities that require industrial cleaning include:
- Manufacturing facilities that produce chemicals, automobiles, food textiles, steel, etc.
- Industrial plants
- Warehouses
- Power generation plants
- Factories
- Hospitals
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities
- Distribution facilities
What Is the Difference Between Commercial vs. Industrial Cleaning?
We’ve noticed many people lump commercial and industrial cleaning together. Commercial cleaning involves maintaining and deep cleaning commercial facilities, such as retail stores or offices. Industrial cleaning involves cleaning large-scale facilities with machinery and equipment, such as manufacturing plants.
Industrial cleaning involves many of the same cleaning tasks involved with commercial cleaning, such as disinfecting surface areas. However, industrial cleaning also involves considerations for safe disposal of hazardous materials, working around machinery, cleaning equipment, and complying with safety regulations.
How Industrial Cleaning Works
What Is Involved During an Industrial Cleaning Process?
While industrial cleaning involves common cleaning tasks, such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, pressure washing, and disinfecting high-touch surfaces, it also entails specialty services.
The industrial cleaning process involves:
- Surface Cleaning: Industrial cleaning involves surface cleaning of all floors, walls, counters, desktops, and other surfaces. This removes grime, dirt, and dust, to ensure all surfaces are sanitised.
- Risk Assessment: A professional industrial cleaning service will conduct an in-depth risk assessment. The goal is to identify any hazards, such as confined spaces or chemicals, and create a plan to minimise dangers.
- Disinfection: Standard disinfection tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms or the staff kitchen, still apply to industrial cleaning. However, many industrial facilities handle dangerous chemicals and hazardous substances, or have heavy-foot traffic that demands meticulous cleaning and industry-grade equipment and products. Proper sanitisation and organisation are crucial for staff safety and company success.
- Equipment Cleaning: Industrial facilities have more than just hallways, desktops, kitchens, and bathrooms that require cleaning. Many facilities have specialty equipment that requires frequent cleaning according to manufacturer’s guidelines. Professional industrial cleaning will understand how to maintain and clean equipment to ensure efficiency and longevity.
- Dust Control: Industrial facilities are notorious for quickly accumulating dust. Professional industrial cleaners have access to commercial-grade air purifiers and vacuums that can minimise and control dust buildup.
- Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal: Industrial facilities often require the proper disposal of hazardous waste and materials. This requires specialty knowledge of disposal procedures and safe handling to prevent health hazards or environmental contamination.
Industrial Cleaning Supplies and Equipment Needed
Industrial cleaning requires a variety of specialty cleaning products and heavy-duty equipment, including:
- Heavy-duty vacuums
- Pressure washers
- Floor scrubbers
- Industrial-grade cleaning agents
- Mops
- Micro-fibre cloths
- Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as safety goggles, masks, hard hats, high-visibility clothing, and gloves
- Hoists and lifts
- Steam cleaners
- Buckets
- Brooms
- Sweepers
- Polishing machine
- Vapour cleaning machine
Why Industrial Cleaning Is Essential
- Health: Industrial environments often involve exposure to chemicals, contaminants, potential allergens, and other hazards. Proper cleaning and regulatory compliance can reduce these health risks, ensuring a good company reputation and a hygienic workplace for employees.
- Safety: A clean industrial facility reduces the risk of slips, falls, accidents, fires, and injuries.
- Efficiency: Clean equipment and machinery functions more efficiently and may last longer. Properly functioning equipment also minimises disruptions to operations. A safe, clean environment also helps support employee morale, leading to increased productivity.
- Compliance: Industrial cleaning requires compliance with health and safety laws and regulations and environmental regulations. Along with safety risks, failure to comply with these regulations puts a facility at risk of legal issues and fines.
Benefits of Regular Industrial Cleaning
Here are some of the benefits of industrial cleaning for facilities:
Enhanced Safety
The biggest benefit of industrial cleaning is a safer work environment for your staff. A clean, organised, hygienic facility helps mitigate potential hazards, such as leaks or slippery surfaces. By eliminating clutter, and debris, the risk of accidents is reduced. Regular maintenance and cleaning also help identify potential hazards early so they can be addressed.
Accommodation
Industrial facilities generally operate 24/7. This means cleaners must know how to accommodate these hours without interfering with production.
Increased Productivity and Efficiency
A clean, well-maintained facility ensures staff have the environment they need to succeed. A consistently organised, clean, safe environment helps employees feel valued. By supporting employee morale, efficiency and productivity can be maximised.
Improved Equipment Performance and Longevity
Equipment that is clogged with grime, oil, or other contaminants will be forced to work harder. Along with taking more time to perform, the equipment’s lifespan will likely be reduced. By keeping equipment well-maintained, efficiency and lifespan are maximised and downtime is reduced.
Regulatory Compliance
Industrial facilities must meet stringent safety, environmental, and health standards. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines, legal issues, and even shutdowns. Along with protecting your employees, your company, and the environment, regulatory compliance also supports a positive company reputation.
Cost Savings
The initial investment in professional industrial cleaning can lead to savings over time. Reduced downtime, better employee morale, improved company reputation, and streamlined operations can all add up to cost savings in the long run.
Enhanced Brand Image
A hygienic, well-maintained industrial facility demonstrates your company’s commitment to the safety of its staff and clients. This upholds a positive professional image for your company to help attract new business, strengthen current connections, and impress potential investors.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Regular, appropriate industrial cleaning can help reduce the need to dispose of large amounts of hazardous substances or waste at once. This can help limit your company’s environmental impact.
You May Also Like: How Broadway Cleaning Reduces Our Environmental Impact
Professional Industrial Cleaning Services
The complexities and safety concerns of cleaning industrial facilities require meticulous planning, proper equipment, regulatory compliance, and in-depth knowledge.
A well-maintained, clean, sanitised industrial facility fosters a positive brand image, ensures a safe environment for staff, and contributes to overall success.
To learn more about our professional industrial cleaning services, contact Broadway Cleaning Services.
