The Need for High-Quality Industrial Cleaning Services

  The Need for High-Quality Industrial Cleaning Services

Industrial cleaning is a challenging job performed at high-risk facilities that are responsible for meeting their own industry and safety regulations. Industrial facility managers and supervising professionals are responsible for maintaining a clean work environment that’s safe and healthy for workers. Experienced commercial cleaning companies offering industrial cleaning services help industrial facilities like manufacturing plants, bulk distribution warehouses, cold storage buildings, data centers, flex buildings, distribution centers, oil refineries, power plants, and other facility types stay compliant. A commercial cleaning company must deliver an exceptional level of service and maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety.

Industrial Facility Cleaning Services

Industrial cleaning involves a variety of tasks. Depending on the size of the facility and its main use, cleaning services can include, but are not limited to: 

• common areas, entrance areas, and public areas
• equipment and workstations
• storage spaces including shelving and racking
• warehouse, production, and manufacturing floor areas
• hard and concrete floors
• Conveyor cleaning
• internal portions of loading dock including shipping & receiving
• restrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities
• private offices
• conference, training, and meeting rooms
• kitchens, cafeterias, other eating areas
• employee lounges and locker areas
• High dusting (ceilings, fans, lights, conduit, etc.)
• Other areas

Industrial Facility Cleaning Challenges

Most industrial facilities are massive and house large machinery and equipment that is difficult or near impossible to clean with traditional methods and materials. Experienced commercial cleaners are knowledgeable about the right cleaning agents and technologies needed to keep facilities clean, healthy, and safe and equipment in working condition. The job of industrial cleaning is dirty work. Even maintaining the offices of industrial sites can be very demanding as dirt gets constantly tracked in from the outside areas of the facility floors. Additional challenges include working around heavy machinery and the safety risks involved due to chemicals, crystalline silica dust, paints, lubricants, metal shavings, fiberglass, combustible dust, and more, depending on the facility.  

In manufacturing and production facilities, a key concern for industry professionals is particulate debris and dust accumulation in high surface and ceiling areas. These compounds can cause damage to sensitive equipment and systems, resulting in the need for costly repairs and replacement. Additionally, the presence and accumulation of combustible dust add the risk of fire or explosion, both of which can cause significant damage to equipment and injury to workers. Implementing a regular cleaning schedule can minimize these risks.   

Industrial Facilities and Assessed Risks

Different industrial facilities each come with their own assessed risks. Here are some examples;  

• Plastic manufacturing plants that manufacture plastics or create the chemicals to make plastic can be dangerous in the processing phase, as well as when the plastics chemicals are raw materials.  
• Nuclear power plants that deal with power and nuclear energy come with associated risks. The workers have the potential to exposure to dangerous radiation that can have long-lasting health effects.  
• Oil refineries are locations where companies take their crude oil and refine it to meet federal regulations. When the oil is heated, or there is a chemical reaction, the flammable materials can spark fires that are difficult to put out which can lead to explosions.
• Chemical plants. There are many industrial plants that are primarily concerned with the manufacturing of chemicals used in a variety of different materials. Workers at these plants are at risk of chemical exposure to hazardous materials. Chemical plants can often be at risk of an explosion if the chemicals that are manufactured are combustible.  
• Fertilizer plants.  Fertilizer contains ammonia which is a hazardous chemical that can cause poisoning in workers. Fertilizer is also combustible, so it can create a significant blast if ignited.  
• Metal manufacturing plants or steel mills can often be dangerous because of the heavy machinery involved and the sparks/blasts from working the metals. Often, steel mills have giant furnaces, and workers are in charge of casting iron, converting ore into liquid iron, steelmaking, or product roiling. Along with the dangers of the furnaces and the sparks, there are often chemical hazards at these plants.

Combustible Dust and High Surface Cleaning 

Combustible dust can be a significant problem in manufacturing and production facilities, The term “combustible dust” refers to fine particles or pieces of solid material that pose an ignition or explosion hazard when suspended in the air. A byproduct of manufacturing and production processes, individual particles vary in size, shape, and composition depending on the exact process specifications. In addition to causing irreparable damage to sensitive machinery, it can be a fire and explosion hazard. For these reasons, it’s important to invest in regular facility cleaning to prevent accumulation. 

While dust on and near the ground is easy to maintain, the accumulation of dust and debris on and near the ceiling, the top of machinery, piping, conduit, ductwork, and exposed ceiling rafters is much harder to remove. High surface cleaning and dusting targets these areas, ensuring they are free of dust and debris. Combustible dust cleaning typically involves the use of HEPA-filtered, explosion-proof vacuums and non-spark tools to safely remove the loose particulate debris and dust from high ceiling surfaces as well as the use of mechanical lifts, ladders, or scaffolding.

OHSA Standard Industrial Cleaning

Many industrial environments are busy and fast-paced, often running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Maintaining a high standard of site safety and hygiene is absolutely critical to reduce the risk of potential hazards and to keep both workers and visitors safe. Industry facility cleaners must know how to operate machinery and tools safely, use and dispose of hazardous chemicals, and protect themselves and their co-workers.

Housekeeping is a broad term used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)  that refers to the routine maintenance and upkeep of a workplace. OSHA has found good workplace housekeeping reduces injuries and accidents, improves morale, reduces fire potential, and can even make operations more efficient. According to OSHA, housekeeping should be incorporated into all processes, operations, and tasks performed in the workplace. Efforts should be concentrated in high traffic areas, such as around stairs, platforms, and ladders; around work stations and machines, and in storage areas. As workplace housekeeping becomes a standard part of operations, less time and effort are needed to maintain it at an appropriate level.

OSHA makes reference to housekeeping in several general industry standards:

• Walking-working surfaces 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.22(a) & (d)
• Flammable liquids 29 CFR 1910.106(e)(9) & (h)(8)
• Explosives and blasting agents 29 CFR 1910.109(g)(4)(vi)(f)
• Sanitation 29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)
• Material handling 29 CFR 1910.176(c)
• Grain handling facilities 29 CFR 1910.272(j)
• Asbestos 29 CFR 1910.1001(k)
• Inorganic arsenic 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)
• Lead 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)
• Chromium VI 29 CFR 1910.1026(j)
• Cadmium 29 CFR 1910.1027(k)
• Bloodborne pathogens 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)
• 1,2 – dibromo-3-chloropropane 29 CFR 1910.1044(k)
• Acrylonitrile 29 CFR 1910.1045(k)
• Formaldehyde 29 CFR 1910.1048(j)
• Methylenedianiline 29 CFR 1910.1050(l)
• Silica 29 CFR 1910.1053(h)

The Superior Choice for Industrial Facility Cleaning 

Cleanstart has extensive experience in providing a variety of cleaning services in different industrial settings throughout the greater Puget Sound region. We bring an unparalleled level of competency and professionalism to every facility we service. We understand that the industrial sector includes a wide variety of facilities, all of which have their own cleaning requirements and standards. 

Our highly-trained cleaning crews work efficiently while maximizing health and safety protocols and minimizing disruption to your operations. We are equipped with the latest equipment and technologies to safely and effectively clean and maintain your facility. We will work with you to create a customized cleaning plan tailored to fit your needs and schedule. We offer daily, weekly, monthly, and after-hour cleaning services and one-time and emergency cleanings with quick response times.

Check out our 5-Star Google Reviews! 

✓ Over 25 years of experience in the commercial cleaning and janitorial industry
✓ Thoroughly trained and vetted cleaning professionals
✓ Commitment to the highest quality clean
✓ Local, licensed, bonded, and insured
✓ 24/7 cleaning options & support
✓ Quick response times
✓ Customized cleaning solutions
✓ Electrostatic spray disinfection service
✓ One-time and recurring cleaning services
✓ 100% satisfaction guarantee
✓ OSHA, HIPAA, EPA, CDC, AORN compliant
✓  A+ BBB-rating

Give the experts at Cleanstart a call today at (253) 921-2593 to learn more about our high-quality industrial facility cleaning services and request a free, no-obligation cleaning estimate. We proudly service the greater Puget Sound region, including:

Auburn, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bonney Lake, Bremerton, Factoria, Fife, Gig Harbor, Kent, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Renton, Seattle, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, King County, Kitsap County, Pierce County, and Thurston County.

5013 Pacific Hwy E unit 16 Fife, WA 98424 • Phone: 253.921.2593 • Email: Caleb @ thecleanstart.com

 

Cleanstart Industrial Cleaning Services – Greater Puget Sound