Cleaning without Disruption
| Published date | 01 May 1982 |
| Date | 01 May 1982 |
| Pages | 5-5 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb057248 |
| Author | Peter French |
| Subject Matter | Economics,Information & knowledge management,Management science & operations |
Cleaning without Disruption
by Peter French
Managing Director, Sta-Guard Ltd
In most industries, the question of whether or not to shut
down for cleaning and maintenance to be carried out simp-
ly doesn't arise. Vital production cannot be sacrificed and
the alternative of closing down selected areas in rotation is
only viable if those areas need to be closed for some other
purpose, such as overhauling machinery or the installation
of new plant. Cleaning and maintenance is an essential ser-
vice for industry as a whole, but at a difficult time for
British Industry as a whole, it cannot be allowed to disrupt
production.
The industrial contract cleaning business has expanded
rapidly in recent years, largely as a result of its ability to
solve factory managers' cleaning and maintenance pro-
blems. The contractor supplies the right number of men
and the correct equipment, exactly when and where they
are needed, which is almost impossible to achieve with in-
ternal cleaning
staff.
Factories which are normally closed at night and
weekends present few problems to the outside contractor
with a large and flexible work force. A sufficient concen-
tration of
staff,
working in shifts over the weekend, can be
organised to carry out the planned programme, from sim-
ple cleaning to fairly extensive renovation or redecoration,
within the time available.
The question of how to keep up cleaning and
maintenance standards in a 24-hour,
7-days
a week in-
dustrial operation can only be solved by careful planning
and consultation between the factory management and the
contractor. An initial survey enables the contractor to
build up a picture of the premises, the type of industry, the
particular use to which various areas are put, times, man-
power, machinery and other specific requirements around
which the cleaning and maintenance programme must be
constructed. Each programme is individually tailored.
Cleaning may be an end in itself or the preliminary step for
a redecoration or renovation scheme.
A full scale "deep cleaning" programme can be under-
taken during the factory's annual shut-down, in order to
get the premises up to an acceptable standard. Thereafter,
the maintenance of those standards will entail a pro-
gramme for cleaning at set time periods, according to the
way various areas of the factory are utilised and the type of
cleaning required. It is unlikely that annual holidays will
coincide neatly with the set-time periods recommended in
the cleaning contractor's report. At this point, the problem
of cleaning without disrupting the work force or the pro-
ductivity of the factory arises.
Whether cleaning and/or redecorating industrial or
commercial premises, the outside-contractor-is-fully-geared
to work round all obstacles and achieve the desired results
quickly, economically and unobtrusively. The use of de-
mountable partitioning—especially constructed for the
premises in question if necessary—enables cleaning activi-
ty, equipment and materials to be confined to a small area.
Possible problems, such as the cleaning of stock areas,
require foresight. Cleaning can be planned to coincide with
periods of lowest stockholding. If the cleaning contractor
is informed that for two days in the coming week there will
only be 30 per cent of the normal volume of stock, the
necessary manpower and equipment can be provided ex-
actly when and where required. Cleaning and decorating
above ground level, i.e. ceilings and roof areas, entails
working above a factory in full production. To minimise
inconvenience and avoid the danger of dust or cleaning
and decorating materials falling on to the men and
machinery below, the contractor can erect a temporary
false ceiling of plastic sheeting on a wooden frame to seal
off the whole area. The transparent sheeting allows natural
light to enter the premises and also muffles noise.
Safety equipment and protective clothing are part of the
cleaning operator's everyday workwear, and not only pro-
tect staff from their environment but in many cases protect
the factory environment from cross-contamination by
cleaning
staff.
Any manufacturing process involving
hazardous materials or processes may call for cleaning
operators to wear breathing apparatus. An industrial con-
tract cleaning and maintenance service must be full equip-
ped to carry out its work under any conditions.
The cleaning products and methods used must not leave
any residue or carry any risk or cross-contamination. Ex-
perience reinforced by precise chemical testing ensures the
suitability of products for use in various industrial situa-
tions.
In many factories, special manufacturing processes
mean that paints and wall finishes applied during redecora-
tion operations must not "powder" or deteriorate in a way
that would adversely affect the process in question. The
outside contractor needs specialised knowledge and ex-
perience to avoid the many pitfalls involved.
The cleaning and maintenance of factory air intake/ex-
tract systems is vitally important for the health and safety
of the work force, and is one of the few operations which
cannot be undertaken while the equipment is in use. A
trunking system at least 2½ft in diameter allows the
physical access of a cleaning operator, while narrower
dimensions will entail breaking into the system at various
points. But careful planning and the speed with which
trained staff are able to work means that no time
is
wasted.
Once again, the importance of cleaning in planned stages is
to prevent disruption.
The specialised machinery used by professional cleaning
and maintenance firms has certain other uses in industrial
premises. For example, protective wall and floor coverings
such as asbestos sealants or water resistant finishes can be
applied by contract cleaning staff using their normal clean-
ing equipment.
A carefully planned schedule for cleaning and
maintenance means that problems are not allowed to get
out of hand and thereby cause disruption. Maintenance is
an ongoing process which should slot neatly and
unobrusively into the overall industrial operation.
In response to rapid technological changes and
developments of recent years, all areas of business and in-
dustry are being forced to specialise. The specialised con-
tract cleaning and maintenance company offers a degree of
experience and expertise which industrial managers cannot
hope to rival. The present growth and extension of
specialised contract services to industry is a natural out-
come of the need for more efficient and economical
methods of running industrial premises.
MAY/JUNE 1982 5
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