General Operatives - Industrial Cleaner (Night Shift)

Principal Objective

Reporting to the relevant Shift Supervisor or Team Lead, the Night Shift Industrial Cleaner is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and well-organised sawmill environment to support efficient production operations.

The role involves carrying out deep cleaning activities across production and operational areas, removing sawdust and debris, maintaining housekeeping standards, and ensuring work areas are prepared for safe and effective day shift operations. The position requires working in a physically demanding heavy industrial environment while adhering to all health, safety, and environmental requirements.

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience in industrial cleaning, manufacturing, construction, production, warehousing, or a similar operational environment is desirable but not essential.

• Awareness of health and safety requirements and safe systems of work, or a willingness to learn and follow them.

• Experience working effectively within a team in a practical and physically demanding setting.

• A strong work ethic with a reliable, dependable, and safety-conscious approach to work.

• Ability to carry out physically demanding duties, including lifting, shovelling, pulling, and prolonged periods on your feet.

• Comfortable working around large-scale industrial machinery and equipment.

• Flexibility to support different cleaning and housekeeping activities across the site as required.

• Relevant training, licences, or certifications are advantageous but not essential, as full training will be provided.

• Formal qualifications are not essential where the right attitude, aptitude, and willingness to learn are demonstrated.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate within all health, safety, environmental, and site-specific safe systems of work.

• Carry out deep cleaning of sawmill, planer, and production areas to required standards.

• Remove sawdust, wood debris, and production waste from operational areas.

• Clean around conveyors, saw lines, rollers, and other industrial equipment safely and effectively.

• Carry out power hosing and pressure washing of machinery, floors, and designated work areas.

• Undertake shovelling and manual handling activities associated with heavy build-ups of material and waste.

• Ensure walkways, access routes, and working areas are clean, organised, and safe for operational use.

• Support site housekeeping standards and contribute to maintaining a tidy working environment.

• Report hazards, equipment defects, spillages, or safety concerns promptly to the appropriate supervisor.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues and supervisors to ensure cleaning schedules and operational requirements are achieved.

• Participate actively in training, safety briefings, toolbox talks, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Contribute to maintaining a safe and efficient working environment across the site.

Essential Competencies

• Safety Awareness – Demonstrates commitment to safe working practices and compliance with all site safety procedures.

• Reliability & Work Ethic – Consistent attendance, punctuality, and dependable performance.

• Physical Resilience – Comfortable performing physically demanding duties throughout a shift.

• Attention to Detail – Maintains high standards of cleanliness and housekeeping.

• Adaptability – Flexible and willing to support different cleaning tasks and operational areas.

• Teamwork – Works effectively and cooperatively with colleagues and supervisors.

• Communication – Listens, understands, and follows instructions clearly.

Key Performance Measures

• Adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards and zero-harm objectives.

• Completion of cleaning schedules and assigned cleaning tasks.

• Housekeeping and site audit standards.

• Cleanliness and readiness of production areas for day shift operations.

• Attendance, punctuality, and reliability.

• Compliance with safe manual handling and safe systems of work.

• Participation in training and continuous improvement activities.

Key Relationships

• Shift Supervisors and Team Leaders

• Health, Safety, and Quality Personnel

• Site Management Team

Working Environment

• Heavy industrial sawmill environment.

• Exposure to wood dust, noise, and outdoor weather conditions.

• Work carried out around large-scale automated machinery and equipment.

• Physically demanding role involving lifting, pulling, shovelling, manual handling, and prolonged periods standing and walking throughout the shift.