Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Heavy Duty Cleaner

A Heavy Duty Cleaner is a professional responsible for the rigorous cleaning and maintenance of various industrial and commercial spaces. These spaces often present unique challenges due to their size, complexity, and the nature of the work conducted within them. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Heavy Duty Cleaners.

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Main Responsibilities of a Heavy Duty Cleaner

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Heavy Duty Cleaner:

Adhere to

Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
Adhere to cleaning schedules and deadlines.
Adhere to the Company's Quality System operating procedures.

Assist in

Assist and monitor contractors when on site.
Assist co-workers when needed.
Assist in the moving of garbage bins when needed.
Assist with annual waste audit.
Assist with snow removal duties.

Carry out

Carry out heavy cleaning tasks and special projects.

Check

Check high dusting, vents and other horizontal surfaces.
Check project calendar for cleaning assignments.
Check the stairwells daily and spot clean where necessary.

Clean

Clean and disinfect kitchen and food preparation areas.
Clean and maintain industrial equipment.
Clean and mop all offices and visitor washrooms.
Clean and store all equipment.
Clean bathrooms and restock paper supplies daily.
Clean elevator / escalator floor guides, rails and cabs.
Clean elevator floor carpets nightly.
Clean front door glass and polish Elevator indicator panels.
Clean glass areas requiring ladders, scaffolding or other extension equipment to reach.
Clean stairwells and elevator cabs where ladders are required.
Clean stairs and keep entrances clean to basements.
Clean stairwells and elevator cabs where ladders are required.
Clean stairwells and hallways.
Clean substantial glass areas and those glass areas which cannot be reached from floor level.
Clean washroom floors including washing, stripping and finishing.
Clean the spa, shower room and utility rooms as you progress through the corridors.
Clean toilets, urinals, sinks, counters.
Clean walls, baseboards, light fixtures, Collect and dispose of garbage, cardboard, recycling.
Clean washroom floors including washing, mopping, stripping and finishing.
Clean washroom floors including washing, stripping and finishing.
Clean windows and keep blinds dust free.

Clear

Clear snow and spread salt as and when required.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with other cleaning staff to complete tasks efficiently.

Communicate

Communicate security incident reports.
Communicate with clients or facility managers regarding cleaning needs.

Complete

Complete all other assigned tasks by management and client.
Complete assigned duties and responsibilities with initiative and minimum supervision.
Complete periodic equipment checks.

Conduct

Conduct quality assurance checks on completed work.

Cooperate

Cooperate with the rest of the staff.

Dry

Dry mops, wet mop (wash / scrub) and polishes hard surface floors.

Dust

Dust and clean tables, chairs, desks, partitions, filing cabinets.
Dust and polish surfaces, including furniture and fixtures.
Dust fluorescent tubes and all hanging fixtures.
Dust furniture, walls, machines, and equipment.
Dust mopping of hard floor surfaces using disposable dust mop kit.

Empty

Empty all waste containers.
Empty and clean trash receptacles.

Ensure

Ensure compliance with regulatory and code requirements within the scope of services.
Ensure compliance with site coverage requirements.
Ensure the Equipment Log Book is utilized and filled in before any machine is used.

Follow

Follow all health and safety regulations.
Follow eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning practices.
Follow safety protocols and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
Follow Supervisor assignments.

Gather

Gather and dispose of rubbish and waste materials by hand or with the use of powered equipment.

Glass

Glass cleaning using telescopic pole, window brush, and squeegee.

Handle

Handle and dispose of hazardous materials safely.

Help

Help with room set-ups (Table & chairs).

Identify

Identify as First Nations, Metis or Inuit.

Inspect

Inspect and document the cleanliness of spaces.
Inspect and replace damaged or worn cleaning equipment.

Maintain

Maintain a high standard of hygiene and sanitation.
Maintain all cleaning equipment and materials in a safe and sanitary working condition.
Maintain and cleans compactor room.
Maintain a professional and courteous demeanor at all times.
Maintain a safe environment at all times (e.g. use of wet floor signs).
Maintain awareness of industry best practices.
Maintain confidentiality of all resident and personnel information.
Maintain shop and equipment areas in a neat and professional manner.

Manage

Manage and organize cleaning supplies and equipment.

Mix

Mix and prepare cleaning solutions according to safety guidelines.

Monitor

Monitor and report any repairs or required replacements.

Observe

Observe / practice all health & safety procedures and policies.

Operate

Operate buffer, burnisher and auto scrubber and / or other equipment as required.
Operate heavy-duty cleaning machinery such as floor buffers and power washers.
Operate, if required, tractor, tenant machine.
Operate the compactor and be responsible for cleaning the compactor on regular basis.

Patrol

Patrol area picking up garbage on floor, mopping up spills.

Perform

Perform all job functions in a safe and healthful manner, abiding by and in accordance.
Perform and document routine inspection and maintenance.
Perform duties according to health and safety guidelines.
Perform light duties as required.
Perform perimeter cleaning of common areas.

Pickup

Pickup garbage from drop points to garbage bins and brought to compactor area.

Polish

Polish / buff floors as required.
Polish furniture, metal work, and chrome using appropriate cleaning and polishing compounds.

Reline

Reline containers and remove waste to designated area.

Remove

Remove all garbage from resident / patient rooms and common areas.
Remove graffiti and other defacement.
Remove waste / recycling from drop points to bins or compactor.

Replace

Replace liners in waste baskets and trash containers per specs.

Report

Report all injuries and hazards to the supervisor immediately.
Report any unusual or irregular / emergency conditions to BOS or Operations Manager.
Report maintenance or repair needs to supervisors.

Respond to

Respond promptly to emergency cleaning requests.
Respond to emergency service requests / calls in a timely manner.

Restock

Restock single unit dispensers containing soap, towels, toilet tissue and sanitary napkins.

Scrub

Scrub and sanitize restroom facilities.

Shampoo

Shampoo carpets and use extracting equipment or cleans carpets also spot cleaning on carpets.

Spot

Spot check all resident rooms for spills and debris.
Spot clean all doors, kick plates, and walls.
Spot clean all lobby floors and wash thoroughly as required.
Spot clean daily and shampoo when directed rugs in assigned buildings.
Spot clean the hallways as you progress through the rooms.

Steam

Steam clean carpets and upholstery.

Stock

Stock and maintain supply rooms.

Strip

Strip and finish hard surface floors manually or with power equipment when required.
Strip and wax floors to maintain their appearance.
Strip and finish hard surface floors manually or with power equipment when required.
Strip, wash and make beds.

Supervise

Supervise and assist co-workers when needed.

Sweep

Sweep and mop floors to remove dirt and debris.
Sweep and mop hard surface floors.
Sweep, mop, and wash floors, stairs and other surfaces (inside buildings).
Sweep, mop or pressure wash staircases in the parades outside of the building.
Sweep parking lot, sidewalks and entrances, exterior of the building.

Take out

Take out and properly dispose garbage.

Train

Train and mentor junior cleaners when necessary.

Transport

Transport garbage from designated areas to garbage bins or compactor.
Transport garbage from drop points to garbage bins or compactor.
Transport maintenance machinery, where necessary, between floors and job sites.
Transport garbage from drop points to garbage bins or compactor.
Transport maintenance machinery, where necessary, between floors and job sites.

Use

Use central vac system in basement to clean up lubricant / oil from the basement floor.
Use foamer and scrub brush to clean basement floor prior to central vac.
Use light and heavy (industrial type) floor machines and attachments.
Use magnet and shovel to pick up scrap from basement floor.
Use mop and bucket to clean press bolsters and walkways.
Use pile lifting equipment to restore certain types of carpet.

Vacuum

Vacuum all entrance mats in lobbies.
Vacuum carpets and upholstery to eliminate dust and allergens.
Vacuum Office Carpets and Office Furniture.

Wash

Wash and burnish floor as per weekly schedule provided by the Site Manager.
Wash and sanitize thoroughly.
Wash walls and ceiling fans at established intervals.
Wash walls, ceilings and dusts ceiling light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Wash windows, glass surfaces, and mirrors.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Heavy Duty Cleaner:

Knowledge of Cleaning Techniques: Mastery of various cleaning methods, including specialized techniques for different surfaces and materials.
Operation of Cleaning Equipment: Proficiency in using heavy-duty cleaning machinery such as power washers, floor buffers, and carpet cleaners.
Chemical Safety: Understanding of cleaning chemicals, their properties, and safe handling procedures.
Maintenance and Repair: Basic skills in maintaining and troubleshooting cleaning equipment.
Surface-specific Cleaning: Expertise in cleaning different surfaces like glass, wood, metal, and concrete.
Floor Care: Knowledge of floor stripping, waxing, and maintenance techniques.
Sanitation and Disinfection: Understanding of sanitation and disinfection protocols, especially in healthcare and food service settings.
Environmental Awareness: Familiarity with eco-friendly cleaning practices and products.
Safety Protocols: Adherence to safety guidelines and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Hazardous Material Handling: Training in safely handling and disposing of hazardous materials.
Chemical Dilution: Skill in accurately diluting cleaning solutions for optimal effectiveness.
Quality Control: Ability to conduct quality checks to ensure cleaning standards are met.
Time Management: Effective time management to complete tasks within specified schedules.
Inventory Management: Managing cleaning supplies and equipment efficiently.
Emergency Response: Knowing how to respond to cleaning emergencies promptly and effectively.
Communication: Effective communication with team members and clients.
Adaptability: Ability to adapt to various cleaning challenges and environments.
Detail Orientation: A keen eye for detail to ensure thorough cleaning.
Physical Stamina: Physical fitness and stamina to handle the demands of heavy-duty cleaning.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Heavy Duty Cleaner:

Work Ethic: Demonstrating a strong work ethic and commitment to cleanliness and hygiene.
Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with other cleaning staff for efficient task completion.
Communication: Clear and courteous communication with colleagues and clients.
Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability to changing cleaning needs and environments.
Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot and find solutions to cleaning challenges.
Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to cleaning tasks for a high level of cleanliness.
Time Management: Efficiently managing time to meet cleaning schedules and deadlines.
Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service when interacting with clients.
Safety Consciousness: Prioritizing safety for oneself and others when using cleaning equipment and chemicals.
Mentorship: Willingness to mentor and guide junior cleaners in their roles.

Conclusion

By embracing these responsibilities and developing the required hard and soft skills, Health Coaches can make a significant impact on their clients' lives, helping them achieve their health and wellness goals and ultimately leading to healthier and happier individuals and communities.