The Industrial Cleaning Operator Profession

Are you considering becoming an industrial cleaning operator? That’s great, because there are currently a lot of job opportunities in that sector.

However, there is information you should take into consideration before jumping into the profession.

In this article, find out everything you need to know about the tasks industrial cleaning operators are responsible for and the qualifications required to practice the trade.

The tasks and responsibilities of an industrial cleaning operator

Generally, an industrial cleaning operator’s main job is to perform various cleaning tasks in a multitude of different settings and environments. That means they must sometimes handle hazardous waste and products that pose environmental and health risks in the course of their duties.

For example, industrial cleaning operators may be needed in the event of an environmental emergency such as a chemical or oil spill in a factory, body of water, on the road, etc. 

Cleaning techniques and equipment 

Industrial cleaning operators often use two techniques in their work that require a vacuum/pressure truck: 

• Vacuum pumping
• High-pressure water blasting

They may also need to use specialized cleaning products, pressure washing and hydroblasting equipment and elevating platforms to perform their duties.

Qualifications needed to work in industrial cleaning

There is no specific academic program required to become an industrial cleaning operator. However, there are several types of training and occupational safety standards related to the profession.

These are the functions that form the foundation of industrial cleaning skills and their recognition in a professional context. They cover aspects of the trade that require considerable expertise and specific skills: 

1. Set up for the workday
2. Set up for the cleaning work at the client company
3. Carry out vacuum pumping using the vacuum truck 
4. Carry out the high-pressure water blasting using the cleaning truck 
5. Carry out tasks related to transporting hazardous materials and emptying the truck’s tank (optional) 
6. Carry out truck and equipment maintenance and administrative duties

In order to reduce the risk of work accidents, it is strongly recommended that employers make sure apprentice industrial cleaning operators undergo training on the following: 

• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) 
• Working in confined spaces
• Respiratory protective equipment 
• Lockout/Zero energy
• Multi-gas detectors 
• And more

Depending on the skills the operator masters, they may be given responsibilities such as:

• High-pressure water blasting and vacuum pumping industrial cleaning operator 
• High-pressure water blasting industrial cleaning operator 
• Vacuum pumping industrial cleaning operator 
• And more

Job prospects in the industrial cleaning sector

As mentioned above, job prospects are currently very good in the industrial cleaning sector.  This is due in part to the constant introduction of new health and environmental regulations that businesses and municipalities must enforce.

Salaries for industrial cleaning operators vary depending on experience, skills, sector and work setting (environmental emergencies, plant maintenance, etc.). Salaries in this industry tend to be above average.

Join the EBI Enviro Urgence team

Since there are no academic prerequisites for the industrial cleaning operator profession, it’s a career path you could start today! 

Contact us to find out more about the trade and possibly even talk to your future employer!  You can also check out the career section of our website to see whether any industrial cleaning positions that match your profile are currently available.