Specialist High-Level Cleaning at Stirling Moulded Composites
Project Type: Specialist high-level industrial cleaning
Client: Stirling Moulded Composites
Service: High-level dust and lint removal
Scope: Structural steelwork, purlins, fans, cables and overhead surfaces
Access Requirements: Mobile Elevating Work Platform — MEWP
Scheduling: Saturday working to minimise production disruption
Overview of the Project
Exterius was appointed to complete a specialist high-level clean at Stirling Moulded Composites.
The work focused on removing accumulated dust and lint from difficult-to-access areas above production machinery. This included structural steelwork, purlins, fans, electrical cables, cable trunking and other overhead surfaces within the agreed work area.
Unlike general floor-level industrial cleaning, this project required the Exterius team to work at height directly above production equipment while navigating multiple overhead services and restricted-access features.
The project therefore required careful planning, specialist access equipment, trained operatives and robust site-specific safety procedures.
The Requirement
Dust and lint had accumulated on high-level surfaces directly above the production machinery.
The affected areas included structural elements and building services that could not be reached safely using standard cleaning equipment. The working environment also contained several overhead obstructions and restricted-access features that had to be considered before cleaning could begin.
Exterius was required to remove the accumulated contamination as thoroughly as safe access allowed while protecting the machinery, surrounding infrastructure and site personnel.
The project was planned for a Saturday to reduce interference with the client’s normal production activities.
The Scope of Work
The agreed cleaning programme included:
- High-level vacuum cleaning of structural steelwork and purlins within the designated work area
- Cleaning surfaces directly above production machinery where dust and lint had accumulated
- Vacuuming three roof-flush fans as thoroughly as access permitted
- Cleaning the external surfaces of two down fans
- Cleaning internal down-fan surfaces where safe access permitted
- Cleaning overhead wiring and electrical cables
- Vacuuming metal cable trunking where access and available working time allowed
- Recording photographic evidence as part of the project close-out
The scope was delivered using specialist vacuum cleaning methods to capture and remove accumulated dust and lint from the overhead areas.
Key Challenges
1. Working Directly Above Production Machinery
The cleaning was carried out at high level above production equipment rather than within an open or unobstructed floor area.
This required controlled access and careful positioning of the MEWP to allow the team to reach the overhead surfaces without damaging machinery or surrounding services.
The team also had to manage the risk of dislodged dust or debris while cleaning directly above the production area.
2. Restricted Access Around Overhead Services
The working area contained a variety of overhead infrastructure, including:
- Three-phase and single-phase electrical cable gantries
- Overhead compressed-air pipework
- Suspended LED low-bay lighting
- CCTV equipment
- Glazing
- Wiring and cable trunking
These services created restricted access around several of the surfaces requiring cleaning.
The Exterius team had to assess each area individually and clean only where it was safe and practical to do so.
3. Poor Visibility at High Level
Some areas above the suspended lighting were poorly illuminated.
Reduced visibility can increase the risks associated with access, equipment movement and working around structural and electrical services. The team therefore had to account for lighting conditions within the site-specific planning and safety briefing.
4. Cleaning Fans Safely and Thoroughly
The project included three roof-flush fans and two down fans.
The external surfaces of the down fans were cleaned, while internal surfaces were cleaned where safe access permitted. The roof-flush fans were vacuumed as thoroughly as the available access allowed.
This ensured that the cleaning remained within the agreed scope without compromising operative safety.
5. Completing Work Within the Available Access Window
The project was scheduled for a Saturday to minimise disruption to production.
Certain elements, including internal fan surfaces and metal cable trunking, were dependent on safe access and the amount of working time available during the agreed access window.
The work therefore had to be carefully prioritised and managed throughout the shift.
Access and Safety Planning
A Mobile Elevating Work Platform was required to reach the affected areas.
Before work began, Exterius prepared the site-specific Risk Assessment and Method Statement and confirmed the access, equipment and personnel requirements.
The project required:
- Trained operatives with valid IPAF certification
- In-date safety harnesses
- A suitable rescue plan
- Hard hats or bump caps
- Site-specific RAMS
- A full team safety briefing before work commenced
The planning also addressed the risks associated with:
- Working at height
- Falls from the MEWP
- Slips and trips
- Head impacts
- Electrical services
- Suspended equipment
- Restricted access
- Poorly illuminated overhead areas
- Glazing and CCTV equipment
The team was briefed on the agreed working methods and site-specific hazards before entering the work area.
Our Solution
To deliver the project safely and efficiently, Exterius implemented a structured high-level cleaning programme that included:
- Site-specific planning and RAMS
- Confirmation of trained and appropriately certified operatives
- MEWP access to reach high-level surfaces
- Safety harnesses and a suitable rescue plan
- Pre-work team safety briefing
- Specialist vacuum cleaning to remove accumulated dust and lint
- Controlled cleaning directly above production machinery
- Careful navigation around electrical cables, compressed-air lines and suspended lighting
- Cleaning of fans and cable infrastructure where safe access permitted
- Saturday scheduling to minimise disruption
- Photographic documentation following completion
The cleaning methods and access arrangements were adapted to the layout of the production environment and the restrictions presented by the overhead infrastructure.
Planning and Delivery
Exterius coordinated the project around the client’s normal production requirements.
The work was scheduled for a Saturday, reducing the potential for disruption and allowing the team to access the affected areas more effectively.
Before arriving on site, Exterius:
- Prepared the required RAMS
- Confirmed that the operatives held valid IPAF certification
- Checked the required harness and access arrangements
- Planned the MEWP requirements
- Prepared a suitable rescue plan
- Reviewed the known site hazards
- Briefed the team on the working method and safety controls
The planned high-level cleaning was then completed within the agreed work area, with photographs taken to document the work.
Specialist High Level Cleaning at Stirling Moulded Composites
The Result
The scheduled high-level cleaning programme was completed across the agreed areas above the production machinery.
The completed work included:
- Vacuum cleaning of structural steelwork and purlins
- Removal of accumulated dust and lint from high-level surfaces
- Cleaning directly above production equipment
- Vacuuming of the three roof-flush fans as access allowed
- External cleaning of the two down fans
- Internal fan cleaning where safe access permitted
- Cleaning of overhead cables and wiring
- Vacuuming of accessible metal cable trunking within the available working period
- Photographic documentation of the completed work
By scheduling the work for a Saturday, Exterius was able to deliver the specialist cleaning while minimising interference with the client’s normal production activities.
Why Specialist High-Level Cleaning Was Required
High-level industrial cleaning presents challenges that are not addressed through routine floor-level cleaning.
Dust and lint can accumulate on structural elements, machinery infrastructure and overhead services that are difficult to inspect or reach using conventional cleaning methods.
A specialist approach helps ensure that these areas are accessed safely and cleaned using equipment suited to the environment.
For this project, the specialist approach included:
- MEWP access
- IPAF-trained operatives
- Site-specific safety planning
- Controlled working above production equipment
- Specialist vacuum cleaning
- Careful navigation around electrical and compressed-air services
- Cleaning based on safe access rather than forcing access into restricted areas
- Scheduling around operational requirements
Why Choose Exterius?
High-level cleaning within an industrial production environment requires more than standard commercial cleaning.
Exterius provides a planned and safety-led approach designed around the layout, access restrictions and operational requirements of each site.
Exterius is trusted for:
- Specialist high-level industrial cleaning
- Trained and IPAF-certified operatives
- Safe MEWP operation
- Site-specific RAMS and rescue planning
- Experience working around machinery and overhead services
- Specialist vacuum cleaning methods
- Flexible scheduling to reduce operational disruption
- Photographic project documentation
- A careful approach to restricted-access areas
The Value of High-Level Industrial Cleaning
Planned high-level cleaning can help businesses maintain areas that are often inaccessible during routine cleaning activities.
A specialist programme can support:
- Removal of accumulated dust and lint
- Improved cleanliness above production machinery
- Cleaning of structural steelwork and purlins
- Cleaning around fans, cables and building services
- Safer access to difficult-to-reach areas
- Better visibility of high-level equipment and infrastructure
- Reduced disruption through planned out-of-hours scheduling
- Photographic documentation of completed work
Specialist-led. Safety-focused. Planned around production.
For specialist high-level industrial cleaning, overhead dust removal or cleaning above production machinery, contact Exterius to arrange a site survey and discuss your requirements.
