Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Industrial Cleaning Operative

🎯 Role Definition

The Industrial Cleaning Operative is responsible for delivering safe, efficient and compliant cleaning, decontamination and waste‑handling services across industrial sites, manufacturing plants, tanks, vessels, ducts and confined spaces. This role requires hands‑on operation of high‑pressure water jetting, industrial vacuum systems, chemical dosing and mechanical cleaning equipment while adhering to permit‑to‑work systems, COSHH/HSE regulations and site safety standards. The operative will work autonomously and as part of a team to prepare equipment and plant for maintenance, support shutdowns and respond to emergency cleaning requirements.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Cleaner / Contract Cleaner transitioning to industrial environments
Maintenance Assistant or Site Labourer looking for specialist cleaning role
Waste Management or Environmental Services Operative

Advancement To:

Team Leader / Cleaning Supervisor (Industrial Cleaning Team Lead)
Confined Space or Tank Cleaning Specialist / Senior Operative
Area Maintenance Supervisor or Shutdown Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Technician or Advisor
Waste Management Coordinator / Hazardous Waste Specialist
Equipment Maintenance Technician (jetting & vacuum equipment)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Carry out industrial high‑pressure jetting (waterblasting/hydroblasting) and mechanical cleaning of tanks, vessels, heat exchangers, ducts and process lines to specified standards, ensuring no damage to plant or surfaces.
Perform confined space entry and cleaning operations in accordance with written safe systems of work, confined space permits, continuous atmospheric monitoring and rescue arrangements.
Operate industrial vacuum systems (including skip vacs, triplex vacs and HEPA/ATEX-rated units) to remove sludge, solids, dusts and liquids safely from plant and containment areas.
Handle, measure and apply industrial cleaning chemicals and detergents following COSHH/HazMat data sheets, dosing instructions and manufacturer recommendations to achieve required cleanliness and passivation.
Conduct pre‑job site surveys and risk assessments (JSA/JHA), identify hazards, select controls and contribute to permit‑to‑work documentation before commencing cleaning tasks.
Carry out routine gas detection and atmospheric testing (oxygen, flammable gases, H2S, VOCs) using calibrated gas monitors and act immediately on unsafe readings following emergency procedures.
Rig and use fall‑protection, harnesses and retrieval equipment for safe access during working at heights and in confined spaces; collaborate with rescuer teams when required.
Complete hot‑works preparation and cleaning support for welding and maintenance activities, including dust control, debris removal and isolations as per hot‑works permit conditions.
Prepare and maintain cleaning equipment (jetting pumps, hoses, nozzles, vacuums, pumps) including daily inspections, basic servicing, leak checks and reporting of defects for repair.
Segregate, package and dispose of hazardous and non‑hazardous waste in compliance with waste‑management regulations and client procedures, maintain accurate waste documentation and transfer notes.
Support planned shutdowns and turnarounds by delivering scheduled cleaning scopes, meeting tight timelines and cooperating with multi‑disciplinary maintenance teams.
Maintain detailed job records, cleaning certificates, photos and signoffs to demonstrate compliance to client standards and to support quality assurance audits.
Execute abrasive or chemical cleaning of stubborn deposits (scale, grease, resin) using approved methods and PPE while ensuring environmental controls and dust suppression measures are in place.
Assist with mechanical removal of residues using scrapers, rotating brushes, grinders and hand tools while following manufacturer and safety guidance.
Follow lock‑out/tag‑out, isolation and energy‑isolation procedures for electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems prior to entry or cleaning work on live plant.
Operate site vehicles and plant as required (vans, small loaders, powered access) to move equipment, materials and waste in accordance with site rules and vehicle license requirements.
Participate in on‑call rotas and emergency response cleaning (spill response, plant leakage, fire cleanup) providing rapid containment and remediation support.
Deliver client‑facing activities professionally: attend site inductions, follow site rules, report directly to supervisors and maintain a clean, punctual, and presentable attitude.
Train and mentor junior operatives and apprentices on safe cleaning techniques, equipment use and permit compliance to build team capability.
Inspect and test cleaned surfaces and plant using client‑specified acceptance criteria (UV inspection, swab tests, visual inspections) and rectify any non‑conformances.
Liaise with site HSE teams to support incident investigations, near‑miss reporting and continuous improvement actions related to cleaning operations.
Maintain up‑to‑date certifications, training logs and competency records (confined space, gas testing, COSHH, manual handling) and communicate training needs to line management.

Secondary Functions

Support pre‑start checks and daily HSE briefings, ensure PPE availability and enforce site safety standards within the cleaning team.
Assist in preparing cost and time estimates for cleaning scopes during tendering and shutdown planning phases.
Supply accurate timesheets, equipment usage logs and material consumption records for invoicing and job costing.
Participate in toolbox talks, continuous improvement meetings and safety committees to improve cleaning processes and reduce risk.
Support ad‑hoc cleaning requests from operations teams, facilities management and contractors, adapting to changing priorities and shift patterns.
Contribute to method statements, cleaning SOPs and site housekeeping standards, updating documents with lessons learned from job sites.
Maintain stock levels of consumables (seals, nozzles, PPE, cleaning chemicals) and request procurement when thresholds are reached.
Provide input into maintenance scheduling for cleaning equipment and help coordinate external service engineers for complex repairs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

High‑pressure water jetting / hydroblasting operation and nozzle selection for safe, effective cleaning.
Industrial vacuum operation (HEPA, skip vac, triplex systems) and basic maintenance.
Confined Space Entry (CSE) procedures, permit systems and use of rescue/retrieval equipment.
Gas monitoring and atmospheric testing (calibrated multi‑gas monitors, bump tests).
Chemical handling and COSHH assessment interpretation, including safe mixing, dosing and neutralisation.
Permit‑to‑Work, Lock‑Out/Tag‑Out and isolation procedures for mechanical and electrical plant.
Hazardous waste segregation, labeling, packaging and transfer note completion.
Use and maintenance of PPE, respiratory protective equipment (RPE/SCBA when required) and decontamination procedures.
Basic mechanical skills for equipment checks, minor repairs and hose/nozzle changes.
Working at height controls, harness use and basic access equipment knowledge (scaffolds, mobile elevating work platforms).
Reading and following method statements, technical cleaning specifications and client acceptance criteria.
Competence in photo documentation, digital job reporting and use of mobile/smart forms for compliance records.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with ability to proactively identify and control hazards.
Excellent communication skills to liaise with supervisors, clients and multidisciplinary teams.
Reliability and punctuality for shift work and planned shutdown schedules.
Problem solving and adaptability under pressure during turnarounds and emergency response.
Attention to detail to deliver client‑specification cleanliness and accurate record keeping.
Teamwork and willingness to coach/mentor junior staff members.
Time management and ability to prioritise competing cleaning scopes.
Customer‑facing professionalism, representing the company on client sites.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma / GCSEs / GED or equivalent basic education.

Preferred Education:

NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Industrial Cleaning, Facilities Services or equivalent trade qualification.
Formal confined space entry training and rescue certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Health & Safety, Environmental Management or Mechanical Maintenance
Industrial Services, Facilities Management, Process Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1 to 5 years working in industrial cleaning, plant maintenance support or facilities services, with demonstrable hands‑on experience in tank and vessel cleaning.

Preferred:

2+ years of relevant experience in petrochemical, food processing, pharmaceutical or heavy industry cleaning environments with documented confined space and high‑pressure jetting experience.
Current certifications such as Confined Space Entry (CSE), Gas Testing, COSHH/Hazardous Materials handling, First Aid, and any site‑specific qualifications (e.g., CSCS, IPAF, PASMA or equivalent) where applicable.
Proven track record of working to permit‑to‑work systems, HSE procedures and meeting strict quality/acceptance criteria for cleaning scopes.