Manual Cleaning: a tricky task

As a manual cleaning operative, you may be responsible for cleaning the inside of all types of buildings and transport to make sure they are safe, healthy and pleasant to live or work in. A manual cleaning operative may have other job titles, such as domestic service assistant or cleaning operative.

As a manual cleaning operative you could have general manual cleaning duties or specialise in certain types of manual cleaning, for example:

• cleaning carpets and upholstery
• stripping and re-sealing hard floor coverings
• cleaning premises where food is prepared
• industrial or house cleaning
• cleaning passenger vehicles
• clearing up after fires, floods or building work
• crime scene cleaning.

Manual cleaning operatives need to know which cleaning chemical to use for each task, and to follow safety procedures - for example, when using solvents to remove graffiti or oils.

Some manual cleaning operatives may have to do some simple maintenance of the equipment you use, and check the stock levels of cleaning materials.

You may be able to get into a manual cleaning position through an Apprenticeship scheme or direct application to Cleaning Contractors, but remember, you'll probably need the following abilities and aptitudes -

• basic reading skills for following job and safety instructions
• basic maths skills for measuring out cleaning fluids
• physical fitness, as the work is very active
• trustworthiness and reliability
• the ability to work alone without supervision or as part of a team
• awareness of the importance of following health and safety procedures
• customer service skills (if working in areas used by the public, such as shopping centres.

Training and development for manual cleaning operatives:-
When you start work in a manual cleaning role, you will usually receive training on the job. Most companies have training programmes for manual cleaning opereatives covering:

• health and safety
• how to use cleaning equipment and materials
• how to identify suitable equipment and materials for different tasks.

Manual cleaning operatives will receive specialist training for some types of manual cleaning, for example crime scene cleaning or dealing with hazardous waste.

Opportunities for manual cleaning operatives:-
Prospects for manual cleaning operatives are good if you want to progress to supervisory and management level. You may then be able to use your experience to move into facilities management. Other options for manual cleaning operatives would be to become a specialist in a particular aspect of cleaning, or set up your own cleaning business.

The hours and working conditions for manual cleaning staff:-
As a manual cleaning operative you may have to work when buildings are closed for normal activities, for example, in the evenings, early morning, or at weekends. You could work part-time or on a casual basis, although the number of full-time jobs is increasing. Full-time cleaners work 35 to 40 hours a week. Overtime may be available.

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