If you’re responsible for maintaining a factory or warehouse facility, you know that regular high level cleaning is essential for creating a safe and hygienic environment. But what about those hard-to-reach areas that often get overlooked?
That’s where high level cleaning comes in. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about effectively cleaning those high bay areas, including tools, safety considerations, and more. By the end of this post, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle any high level cleaning challenge.
Table of Contents
What High Level Cleaning?
High level cleaning refers to the cleaning of high or hard-to-reach areas. High Level Cleaning is applicable in a factory or warehouse roof that is higher than 2 meters from the floor. This type of cleaning often requires specialized access equipment. Equipment such as cherry pickers or scaffolding, and may also involve the use of protective gear to ensure the safety of the workers performing the cleaning.
Examples of High Level Cleaning includes the cleaning of:
- Ceilings, beams and trusses
- Ducting and service lines
- Lighting & fixtures
- Sprinkler systems
- Windows
Accumulated dust and debris can damage equipment, shorten their life span and increase maintenance costs
High Level Cleaning should be done periodically to maintain a high level of cleanliness to the factory or warehouse
What is the Importance of High Level Cleaning?
While routine cleaning focuses on readily accessible surfaces, high-level cleaning delves into the often-overlooked upper regions of your facility. This meticulous process is crucial for several reasons:
- Enhanced Air Quality: Dust and grime buildup in high-level areas can significantly impact air quality, leading to respiratory issues for employees and potentially contaminating products. Regular high-level cleaning removes these airborne hazards, promoting a healthier and safer work environment.
- Improved Lighting: Dust and dirt accumulation can obstruct overhead lighting, reducing visibility and creating safety hazards. High-level cleaning ensures optimal light penetration, fostering a brighter and more productive workspace.
- Reduced Fire Risk: Combustible materials like dust and grease can accumulate in high-level areas, posing a significant fire risk. Regular high-level cleaning mitigates this risk by eliminating potential fuel sources for fires.
- Extended Equipment Lifespan: Dust and debris can build up on machinery and equipment, leading to premature wear and tear. High-level cleaning keeps these vital assets functioning optimally, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
- Compliance with Regulations: Depending on your industry, specific regulations may mandate high-level cleaning protocols to ensure worker safety and product hygiene. Regular cleaning demonstrates your commitment to compliance and minimizes the risk of fines or penalties.
Planning and preparation
Before you begin any cleaning work, it is important to properly plan and prepare for the job. This includes identifying the specific areas of the roof that need to be cleaned. You need to assess the potential risks and hazards, and determining the best course of action to take.
One of the first things you should do is conduct a thorough inspection of the roof structure to be cleaned and the factory layout. This will help you to identify any potential hazards or areas of concern that you need to address. You should also look for any obstacles or hazards that may be present on the roof, such as electrical wires or equipment.
You have to determine if the dust you are trying to clean is combustible dust. This will affect the method of cleaning and the selection of tools required to perform this task. Should the dust be combustible you need to ensure you have ATEX Certified High Level Cleaning equipment.
Using the right equipment
When it comes to High Level Cleaning of a factory/warehouse roof, one of the key challenges is working at heights. It is essential to use the right equipment to ensure the safety of your workers and help you to get. Some of the key pieces of equipment you will need include:
Ladders: If you are working from the ground, you will need a ladder to access the roof. Make sure to choose a ladder that is sturdy and properly rated for the job.
Scaffolding: If you are unable to reach certain areas of the roof from the ground, you may need to use scaffolding to provide a stable platform for your workers.
Man cage: A man cage is designed to work with a Fork Lift Truck (FLT). Ensure that the cage is certified and all locks are in place. While the man cage is elevated the FLT MUST be idling at all times, as this machine is designed to lift a load to a set height and lowered to the ground. The hydraulics system does not have a check valve built in to hold a load at a specific height for extended periods. If switched off, this will drift and lower the man cage unexpectedly and cause serious injury to employees.
Cherry Pickers: A cherry picker is often required to clean areas that cannot be accessed by ladders and scaffolding. Ensure that the operator is adequately trained and certified to operate this Elevated Working Platform (EWP)
No matter which method is used, it is important to always use proper safety equipment, such as hard hats, gloves, and protective eyewear. In addition, it is important to follow all safety guidelines and procedures when working on a factory roof structure, including wearing a harness or other fall protection if necessary.
While the man cage is elevated the FLT MUST be idling at all times, as this machine is designed to lift a load to a set height and lowered to the ground. If switched off, this will drift and lower the man cage unexpectedly and cause serious injury to employees.
High Level Cleaning is not a daily task, in most facilities this is done once a year or in some cases less frequent. Employees conducting this cleaning operation are often not fluent with this operation there fore thorough training must be conducted.
You must ensure a detailed risk assessment and Safe Working Procedure is conducted. In addition to using the right equipment, it is also important to follow proper safety procedures when working from the ground. This may include:
- Setting up proper barricades or warning signs to alert other workers and pedestrians of the cleaning activity.
- wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as high visibility clothing or reflective vests.
- Having a fall protection plan
- Ensuring a recovery plan is in place should an employe be suspended fall and is suspended by their harness.
- Identifying the nature of the dust you are trying to clean
- Ensuring that equipment being used has a safety check list and is inspected by a trained and certified person
- Sprinkler systems pose an extremely high risk of damage to property if activated. Ensure that personal are aware of this risk and not to break the glass of the sprinkler system.
Disposal Of Dust
Proper disposal of waste materials is important for both environmental and safety reasons. It is important to ensure that all waste materials are properly bagged and disposed of in accordance with local regulations and guidelines, to avoid any potential hazards or environmental impacts.
In the case of combustible dusts, a disposal certificate has to be obtained as companies that have combustible materials are legally responsible for all dusts from cradle to grave.
High Level Cleaning with out the risk of working at heights
East Coast Industro Services makes use of a High Level Cleaning system that enable us to clean up to 12 meters high with the technician standing safely on the ground.
What are the advantages of using our system of High Level Cleaning?
- Zero risk of working at heights
- Minimal to no disruption to productivity
- Dust, Debris & Cobwebs extracted at the source, hence no dust clouds
- Clean previously hard to reach areas
- Minimal foot print required to from, clean in tight spaces
- No need to cover machinery, equipment and stock
- Reduced safety risk profile will no more than 3 technicians on site
Our operatives are fully trained and certified medically fit. Our operations manager is on site at all times during the clean, decisions are made and problems are solved in real time.
A site specific risk assessment is conducted and communicated to your operational personal to ensure minimal disruption to your productivity while ensuring high quality cleaning standards are achieved.
We conduct our High Level Cleaning to BRC and ISO 22000 food packaging and food manufacturing requirements.
Once we are done with your High Level Clean you will be issued with a cleaning certificate for your Quality Assurance purposes.
The do’s and don’ts of High Level Cleaning
- Assessing Cleaning Requirements: Before embarking on any high-level cleaning task, it’s imperative to conduct a risk assessment and assess the specific cleaning requirements.
- Prioritise Health and Safety: It’s crucial to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including goggles, masks & harnesses. Inspect the man cage before use.
- Consider Others’ Safety: Establish a safe working zone with barricades and signage. Ensure operatives understand the identified risks and mitigating action.
- Informing and Sectioning Off: Hold tool box talks in the respective areas, to clearly communicate the nature of the cleaning task to others and section off the area accordingly.
- Proper Use of Extension Handles: When using extension handles, raise the handle from the hip, keeping it in line with your leg. This technique ensures effective cleaning but also promotes ergonomic practices.
- Post-Cleaning Maintenance:Always clean tools after use. Do not blow dust off yourself with an airline. Conduct a thorough inspection of all tools and repair or replace damaged equipment. Dispose of dust according to hazard classification
The Do not’s of High Level Cleaning
- Do not clean the sprinkler head, as this could cause the sprinkler to activate
- Do not create dust clouds when cleaning, as this increases the risk of a dust explosion
- Do not clean live electrical equipment. Always Lock out Tag Out and de-energise.
- Never work alone. Always have a spotter on the ground to alert you of any dangers
High Level Cleaning FAQ
Why is high-level cleaning necessary?
High level cleaning is often required in factories and warehouses, where surfaces can be large and difficult to reach and may be subjected to a lot of dirt, dust, and debris [1]. It is also important for maintaining cleanliness and safety in a facility in accordance to municipal, manufacturing and insurance guide lines [2].
What areas does high-level cleaning cover?
High level cleaning covers hard-to-reach areas such as light fixtures, high walls, and other areas above 2 meters high within a factory or warehouse [3].
How is high-level cleaning carried out?
The specific methods and equipment used for high-level cleaning may vary depending on the specific surfaces and location being cleaned. High-level cleaning may involve the use of ladders, scaffolding, cherry pickers, or other specialized equipment to access hard-to-reach areas.
Can a company handle high-level cleaning on its own, or is it better to hire a professional cleaning service?
It may be possible for a company to handle high-level cleaning on its own, depending on the resources and expertise available. However, high level cleaning can be challenging and potentially hazardous, so it may be safer and more efficient to hire a professional cleaning service with experience in this type of work [2].
What is High Level Cleaning?
High level cleaning refers to the cleaning of high or hard-to-reach areas. High Level Cleaning is applicable in a factory or warehouse roof that is higher than 2 meters from the floor. This type of cleaning often requires specialized access equipment. Equipment such as cherry pickers or scaffolding, and may also involve the use of protective gear to ensure the safety of the workers performing the cleaning.
How Often should High Level Cleaning Be done?
The best way to determine if you need a high level clean is to write your name on a dusty surface. If you can read what you have written, you are in need of a High Level Clean
