KINGFISHER CLEAN BLOG
Industrial Cleaning: The Unsung yet Vital Backbone of UK Industry
Industrial cleaning is the essential backbone for keeping industrial facilities safe and operating at maximum efficiency. Read more to discover why avoidance or poor quality cleaning can have expensive and dangerous consequences.
Published by Leonie Leeder on June 22 2022, updated 13 June 2024
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2022 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Keeping industry moving; the importance of industrial cleaning
Industrial sites are often fast paced and potentially hazardous environments. Many manufacturers, warehouses and power generation facilities operate 24/7, often with heavy machinery and regular HGV and forklift traffic.
In these environments, dirt, grime and many other contaminants can build up quickly. This can give credence to the popular stereotype of factories being grubby and dirty places; a stereotype that originated in the Industrial Revolution and has largely stuck around through the 20th century.
The importance of cleaning for factories, warehouses, power stations and other industrial sites cannot be overstated. It helps industrial facilities keep on top of dirt and grime that can build up quickly, both on machinery, floors, high-level infrastructure, tanks, furnace areas and more. Industrial cleaning directly contributes to workplace safety by eliminating potential hazards and reducing the risk of accidents. A hygienic workspace not only safeguards the health of employees but also enhances productivity.
What’s more, regular cleaning preserves the longevity and functionality of equipment, reducing manufacturing downtime and repair costs.
In essence, industrial cleaning is not just a cosmetic necessity but a strategic investment in creating a secure, healthy, and optimised working environment.
What is Industrial Cleaning?
Industrial cleaning relates to the specialised cleaning tasks specific to industries such as manufacturing, factories and power generation. Rather than office or restroom cleaning, industrial cleaning often presents more hazards, requires appropriate PPE and bespoke industrial cleaning methods.
Just as the term “industry” is broad, so is industrial cleaning. It could mean thousands of different jobs, from production line cleaning, high-level cleaning, warehouse floors to cleaning effluent tanks.
To give a few examples, we have serviced both regular and deep cleaning at manufacturing plants, power generating facilities, food and beverage production factories, furniture showrooms, flour mills, tyre manufacturers and pet food facilities.
Each and every industrial cleaning job can be different, from the type of facility to the specific area of site in need of cleaning. It requires detailed planning, bespoke equipment, rigorous training and thorough Risk Assessments and Method Statements.
The difference between industrial cleaning and specialist industrial cleaning
Not all cleaning in industrial environments is made equal. While we offer both industrial cleaning and specialist industrial cleaning, they both have their differences that have significant ramifications in terms of training requirements and risk level.
‘Industrial cleaning’ may encompass cleaning in industrial environments, such as production line cleaning, wall and floor cleaning, high-level access cleaning and some machinery cleaning. This cleaning may only require general levels of PPE and cleaning chemicals to get the job done to a high standard.
‘Specialist industrial cleaning,’ on the other hand, encompasses more complex or hazardous cleaning tasks that require higher levels of training, skill and experience. This may include machinery cleaning in hazardous environments such as industrial basements, or jobs that require confined space training, or jobs that risk contact with dangerous substances which require specialist types of PPE. If your industrial site requires some form of specialist industrial cleaning, it is important to find a contractor that can do the job safely and effectively.
Why cleaning can often be overlooked in industry
We often find that cleaning in industry is often overlooked or deemed a low priority by industrial managers, despite it being important for health and safety.
One key factor is the focus on short term operational goals over long-term benefits. Production targets often take the front seat, while maintenance budgets are cut as cleaning is perceived as an additional expense that doesn’t directly contribute to production. This is especially true if there is a long standing acceptance of unclean conditions. The cost savings from regular cleaning, such as reduced downtime and extended equipment life, are not always immediately visible or tangible, making them easier to overlook.
For this reason, industrial cleaning is often requested as an emergency last minute remedy by industrial managers who know that their facility is not at an acceptable standard to pass an audit. This is not necessarily out of neglect (we understand that managers have a lot on their plate to deal with), but leaving industrial cleaning until the last minute adds unnecessary stress and grief to a manager’s workload. We will always advocate for proactive over reactive cleaning.
There’s also a perception that cleaning activities will be disruptive to ongoing operations, which leads to their postponement or neglect. High production pressure makes it challenging to find suitable times for thorough cleaning without impacting the production schedule. A good industrial cleaning contractor, however, will ensure that your production can continue uninterrupted while your cleaning takes place.
The consequences of neglecting industrial cleaning
If regular industrial cleaning is not kept on top of in an industrial facility, the consequences can range from a damaged professional reputation to potentially life threatening accidents. Industrial factories can be dangerous enough as it is, with moving machinery, furnaces or hazardous chemicals, without adding grubby and oily surfaces and unsanitary conditions into the mix.
Neglecting an adequate factory cleaning schedule can lead to:
Prioritising industrial cleaning is not just about compliance but about fostering a safe, efficient and productive work environment. It’s important for to recognise and address the often overlooked benefits of regular cleaning, so that industrial managers can ensure the long-term success for their industrial facility.
Have an issue with your industrial cleaning or painting? We’ve got you covered.
Get in touch with some details about your problem and we’ll get back to you within one working day.
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