Industrial cleaner
Industrial cleaners clear up after fires, floods and crime scenes, as well as places that need to be hygienically clean.
Typical Salary
£17,000 – £23,000
per year
Working Hours
37–43
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
You couldwash out boilers, tanks and vats with high pressure hoses; remove dust and ash with industrial vacuuming equipment; decontaminate work areas and machinery; mix cleaning chemicals in the correct amounts; sandblast the outsides of building and structures; work from cradles or mobile access platforms to reach higher levels; safely store cleaning equipment and dispose of hazardous waste; clean and disinfect areas following strict standards and procedures; remove graffiti; report potential hazards to supervisors
Skills needed
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- sensitivity and understanding
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- knowledge of public safety and security
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- specialist courses offered by a professional body
Career progression
With experience, you could become a team supervisor.
You could also set up your own company to specialise in a particular type of cleaning, like flood relief or biohazards.