Posted by Clean Group NZ on 2023-12-25
The role of a cleaner, commonly perceived as just another domestic or industrial worker, encompasses a surprisingly diverse range of specialties and responsibilities. This in-depth examination reveals the extensive spectrum of the cleaning industry, highlighting not only the familiar roles in domestic and commercial settings but also the lesser-known, yet equally vital, positions.
From the train cleaners ensuring our daily commutes are pleasant, to the window cleaners adding clarity to our urban landscapes, each role requires a unique set of skills and tools. For instance, an aircraft groomer focuses on the cleanliness of airplanes, a critical aspect of passenger experience, while a sewerage cleaner plays a crucial part in maintaining public health and sanitation.
The industry's diversity extends to the equipment and safety measures employed. Standard tools like brooms, mops, and vacuum cleaners are just the tip of the iceberg. In more demanding environments, cleaners utilize specialized equipment such as high-pressure water jets for graffiti removal, or engage in meticulous tasks like cleaning cacao beans in food production.
Safety is paramount, with operatives often equipped with protective gear like hardhats, visibility clothing, and harnesses, especially when working in hazardous environments or at heights.
Furthermore, the sector includes roles like amusement park cleaners, who operate largely unseen, ensuring clean and safe environments for leisure and entertainment. The sector also adapts to societal needs, with charity cleaning initiatives and environmentally conscious methods gaining prominence.
This exploration into the cleaning industry reveals the nuanced and essential nature of these roles, highlighting the dedication and skill of the operatives who maintain cleanliness and hygiene across diverse settings, contributing significantly to public health, safety, and comfort.
Cleaner in Cambridge English dictionary means: "a person whose job is to clean houses, offices, public places, etc.:"[1], in Collins dictionary: "A cleaner is someone who is employed to clean the rooms and furniture inside a building."[2] However, a cleaner does not always have to be employed and does not have to perform work for pay an example would be socially and charity cleaning for example free forest cleanup from garbage so the definitions of the cleaner word depend on the author. Word cleaner also means: "substance used for cleaning" e.g. oven cleaner and device used to clean e.g. an air cleaner.[2][3]
To sum up, the simplest thing to say is that a cleaner is usually a person who does cleaning.
Cleaning operatives may specialize in cleaning particular things or places, such as window cleaners.[4] Cleaning operatives often work when the people who otherwise occupy the space are not around. They may clean offices at night or houses during the workday.