Train cleaner

Train cleaners keep the interiors of trains tidy and clean. They clean out the bins in the different compartments, and perform other cleaning activities such as hoovering, mopping and deep cleaning.

The duties of a train cleaner include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining the interior of the train to an agreed level of cleanliness in line with the company policy
• Ensuring that the service is delivered effectively and efficiently to a high standard.
• Ensuring all equipment is kept clean, well maintained and in a safe working order.
• Having a full knowledge and understanding of the designated cleaning area, including the agreed work specification and time allocated to facilities.
• Having a full working knowledge of all cleaning equipment, materials and approved chemicals used by the company.
• Adhere to all company Quality, Safety, Health and Environmental policies and procedures.
• Building positive and productive working relationships with all customers, delivering excellent customer service and seeking ways to continuously improve and exceed expectations.

Train cleaners wear most of the time a special uniform provided by the company they work for, as they may interact with the public.

Carriage cleaning takes place either at the operator’s depot(s) or at stations between journeys.  As passengers dismount at the train’s final destination, train cleaners clean the train before its next journey, within a short time limit.

Like many other cleaning workers, train cleaners are regularly exposed to contaminants and diseases or infections. They work with cleaning chemicals and clean soiled items. For that reasons, they work with personal protective equipment such as gloves.

Train cleaners may work part time or full time, depending on established schedules. They may also work days, evenings, or weekends.

The following job titles also refer to train cleaner:

train cleaning staff member
train night cleaner
train depot cleaner
train cleaning crew member
train cleaning team member
train cleaning operative
train day cleaner
train and station cleaner

No formal educational credential is required to work as train cleaner.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Train cleaner is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to train cleaner.

toilet attendant
window cleaner
street sweeper
domestic cleaner
drapery and carpet cleaner

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of train cleaner. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of train cleaner with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

building exterior cleaner
snow-clearing worker
amusement park cleaner
domestic housekeeper
septic tank servicer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of train cleaner.

• Personal protective equipment: Types of protective materials and equipment foreseen for various types of tasks such as general or specialised cleaning activities.
• Train cleaning procedures: Field of knowledge which distinguishes different types of equipment and their processes for cleaning and maintaining the interior of trains.
• Cleaning techniques: Various techniques and tools used to clean different types of surfaces to achieve a certain degree of cleanliness such as sweeping, vacuuming, degreasing and wet cleaning.

These skills are necessary for the role of train cleaner.

• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies: Follow the stock of cleaning materials, order new material when the stock is empty and follow their usage to maintain a constant supply.
• Operate floor cleaning equipment: Set up, maintain and operate roto, extractor and walk behind scrubbers and other floor care equipment to clean carpets and scrub hard floors.
• Clean train interiors: Use cleaning techniques such as sweeping, dusting and vacuuming to clean railway cars. Undertake more extensive cleaning by washing and shampooing the upholstery and carpets or floor of the train.
• Clean public areas: Disinfect the areas to which the public has access.
• Work in shifts: Work in rotating shifts, where the goal is to keep a service or production line running around the clock and each day of the week.
• Carry out pressure washing activities: Use high pressure equipment in order to clean areas, surfaces and materials.
• Maintain cleaning equipment: Clean and preserve the equipment and material used for cleaning purposes in a proper state.
• Clean equipment: Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
• Follow organisational guidelines in the cleaning industry: Apply and follow all protocols or guidelines described by the company within your specific cleaning area. It can also involve wearing the foreseen uniform or piece of clothing at all times or using specific equipment or materials.
• Manage routine waste: Treat routine waste carefully when performing cleaning activities and ensure that the waste collection and surrounding areas are maintained clean at all times.
• Clean glass surfaces: Use cleaning products to clean any surface covered by glass.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of train cleaner. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Cleaning industry health and safety measures: Preventive and interventional methods used in the cleaning industry to maintain health and safety for all workers and tertiary persons.
• Discharge of collected waste: The procedures to be followed to discharge the collected waste safely and in the designated place for doing this.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of train cleaner. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Cooperate with colleagues: Cooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.
• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Clean particular areas manually: Perform cleaning activities in specific areas by hand, when the surface is small or obstructed and the only means to clean such places is manually.
• Ensure compliance with waste legislative regulations: Implement and monitor company procedures for the collection, transport and disposal of waste, in compliance with all regulations and legal requirements.
• Perform dusting activities: Remove dust from furniture, blinds and windowsills using specialised dust cloths or hand-cleaning items.
• Perform cleaning activities in an environmentally friendly way: Undertake all cleaning duties in a manner which minimises environmental damage, follow methods that lessen pollution and wastage of resources.
• Handle chemical cleaning agents: Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals in accordance with regulations.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the toilet facilities: Clean the toilets and wipe the sinks, mirrors and cubicle furniture according to the required standards, providing special attention to details.
• Vacuum surfaces: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and small particles from floors, drapes, carpets or furniture.
• Clean surfaces: Disinfect surfaces in accordance with sanitary standards.
• Complete report sheets of activity: Keep written records of the service provided on a regular or punctual basis, with explicit hours of work performed and signature.
• Operate pressure washer: Operate a mechanical sprayer which makes use of high pressure to clean surfaces and rid them of contamination, paint residue, dirt and grime, and mould.
• Perform cleaning activities in an outdoor environment: Adapt the cleaning working methods and procedures to the environmental conditions and adapt to weather conditions such as rain, strong wind or snow, when this affects the performance of the equipment or machinery that is being used.

9112 – Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels and other establishments

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References

1. ESCO
2. 53-7061.00 – Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment – O*NET OnLine
3. Cleaning: How are trains cleaned and washed? – Dirt2Tidy
4. Carriage Cleaning: How Clean Is Your Train? – Clean Hire
5. Featured image: By Catherine – Train from KIX to Osaka, CC BY 2.0