Industrial cleaning is unique on so many levels. Cleaners do things in industrial environments they would never even think about in an office or medical environment. As such, there are certain challenges that come with cleaning industrial spaces. If you operate an industrial space, what are the most challenging aspects of cleaning for your team?
While you think about that, we have put together a list of the biggest challenges we face. We invite you to consider contacting our leading industry team to learn more about how All Pro Cleaning Systems services could be applied to your space. Needless to say, we aren’t afraid of industrial spaces.
1. Space Complexity and Size
By their nature, industrial spaces tend to be quite large. It is not unusual to be looking at tens of thousands of square feet. That amount of space alone creates challenges. In addition, within those spaces are individual areas with complex cleaning requirements.
The complexity of a space is influenced by multiple things. For instance, hard to reach areas present a unique challenge. So do confined spaces. Cleaning complexity is further influenced by traffic, cleaning frequency, and having to deal with multiple surface types with different cleaning needs.
2. Machinery and Equipment
Industrial cleaning often involves machinery and equipment. Some pieces of equipment can pose significant difficulties due to design features, sensitive components, and just a general lack of knowledge about how equipment actually works.
When working with machinery and equipment, cleaners need to be cognizant of:
- Specialized machinery that proves difficult to handle.
- Accumulated oil, grease, and other chemical residues.
- Equipment that might be especially sensitive to dust and debris.
- Equipment and machines requiring specialized cleaning techniques.
- Equipment and machines that can only be cleaned with specialized chemicals.
One could make the case that cleaning machinery and equipment is the most challenging aspect of industrial cleaning. Cleaning crews would probably debate it and never come to a resolution.
3. Regulatory Compliance
Wherever you have industrial environments you also have federal and state regulations. It can be quite challenging to clean industrial spaces while maintaining compliance. Yet it needs to be done. Regulatory compliance touches everything from cleaning standards and safety to hygiene and proper documentation.
4. Working With Hazardous Materials
Cleaning industrial spaces involving hazardous chemicals can be extra challenging. Cleaning crews need to be cognizant of chemicals on two fronts. First are the hazardous chemicals stored by the company itself. For instance, a commercial laundry would typically store large amounts of acidic chemicals. Cleaning crews would have to be incredibly careful around storage areas.
Second are the hazardous chemicals cleaners work with. The nature of industrial cleaning dictates the use of certain chemicals that are deemed hazardous. Cleaners might even have to wear personal protective equipment. Combine both types of hazardous chemicals in a single environment and you have a challenging situation.
5. Operational Disruption
Of all the challenges we face in industrial environments, none is more difficult to navigate than operational disruptions. The truth is that many industrial operations run around the clock. And even when that isn’t the case, a company might have a stringent production schedule that cannot be deviated from.
Cleaning crews have a responsibility to work within the client’s schedule to avoid operational disruptions. Sometimes it seems like juggling. But it is necessary to ensure that the client’s operations are minimally impacted by cleaning.
Now you know the challenges we face with industrial cleaning. Does your cleaning team face anything similar? Perhaps All Pro Cleaning Systems can be of service. Let our team do the hard work for you.
