Michigan Occupational Information System
#077 - EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE CLEANER

A   Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  service.

Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners clean dust, dirt, grease, and lint from machines and equipment. They may also sterilize machines, containers, and equipment used to process or store chemicals, food, or beverages to meet high standards of cleanliness.  

Job Duties 

Equipment Cleaners may:

Turn valves or disconnect pipes to drain machines or tanks  

Spray machines, tanks, and conveyors with water or steam to loosen and remove dirt  

Scrub machines, tanks, tables, pans, bowls, compartments and conveyors  

Mix cleaning solutions according to formulas  

Connect hoses and start pumps to circulate cleaning and sterilizing solutions through hoses and lines  

Replace broken sections of coils and lines  

Transportation Vehicle Cleaners may:

Sweep, vacuum, or mop the interior of vehicles  

Remove dust, grease, and oil from the exterior surfaces of vehicles by spraying or washing  

Clean windows with water and cleaning compounds  

Polish the exterior of vehicles  

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners may specialize in these areas:

699.687-014 MACHINE CLEANERS wash machines and auxiliary equipment, such as tanks and pipelines, in an industrial plant or aboard ship.  

599.684-010 EQUIPMENT CLEANERS wash and sterilize machinery, utensils, and equipment by hand.  

529.687-018 BOX-TRUCK WASHERS clean box-trucks (four-wheel hand-trucks) which are used to move or store meat, grease, oleo, or inedible fat.  

559.687-062 TANK CLEANERS use steam and air hoses to clean tanks and vats used in the production of oil, acid, or other items.  

919.687-014 AUTOMOBILE WASHERS clean the interior and exterior of cars, removing dust, grease, and oil from vehicle surfaces.  

919.687-014 TRUCK WASHERS clean the interior and exterior of trucks.  

919.687-014 BUS CLEANERS wash the interior and exterior of buses.  

919.687-014 AIRPLANE CLEANERS wash down the outside of commercial or private planes. They are known as Cabin Service Agents if they clean aircraft interiors.  

919.687-014 RAILROAD-CAR CLEANERS wash the interior and exterior of railroad passenger cars.  

915.687-022 USED-CAR LOT PORTERS clean the interior and exterior of used cars being offered for sale at a used-car lot. They may also perform minor service, such as changing spark plugs and windshield wipers and repairing tires.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it useful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

085 LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING WORKER

069 HOUSE & BLDG. INTERIOR CLEANER 

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners generally work in crews under the direction of a supervisor or manager. Equipment Cleaners usually work indoors under varying conditions. Equipment Cleaners employed by companies that process food and chemicals generally work in cleaner surroundings than those employed by automobile manufacturers. Vehicle Cleaners may work in garages and car washes that are drafty and cold in winter and hot in summer. They must be careful to avoid injuries from steam equipment and falls on slippery floors.  

Most Equipment Cleaners work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Afternoon and midnight shifts are common in large processing and manufacturing plants. Plants engaged in the primary processing of food and beverages may operate around the clock, 7 days a week because of the spoilage factor of food products.  

Car washes are generally open 10 hours a day, 6 days a week; but they are usually closed on rainy days. Vehicle Cleaners employed by car washes adjust their work schedules to these conditions.  

Union membership depends on where the Equipment or Vehicle Cleaner is employed. Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners belonging to unions pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:

• Working with things and objects  

• Using machines, processes, or methods in your work  

• Performing activities of a routine, definite, organized nature  

You Should Be Able To:

• Follow simple instructions  

• Repeat activities/tasks according to a procedure or sequence  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If the directions for cleaning solution call for 1 oz. of the cleaning solution to 1 gallon of water, how many ml. will you need for 1/2 gallon of water?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Caution labels on cleaning agents and other chemicals. For example: "Contains petroleum distillates, harmful if swallowed and possible eye irritant."  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an order form for a new supply of cleaning equipment.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills in determining which cleaning agents to use on various surfaces.  

Equipment Cleaners may be required to pass a physical exam. Vehicle Cleaners may be required to have a driver's license.                                                                                                                                                                      

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer with a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0300 AUTOMOTIVE , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program 

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript    

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

                                                                                                                      
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Summer employment may be available in processing and manufacturing plants. Car washes may employ part-time workers. Volunteer work at a fund-raising car wash can provide experience as a vehicle cleaner also.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Equipment and Vehicle Cleaner employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Equipment and Vehicle Cleaner employer  

community service work with an agency  

To find a job as an Equipment or Vehicle Cleaner apply directly to processing and manufacturing companies, auto dealers, and car washes. Assistance may be obtained from your high school placement office or from a local Michigan Works! office. Job openings may be listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank ( http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage)

America's Job Bank ( http://www.ajb.dni.us)

Michigan Department of Career Development ( http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd)

Michigan Works! ( http://www.michiganworks.org)

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services. 

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners vary by type of job and employer. Workers employed in unionized establishments generally earn higher wages than nonunion workers do. Some Vehicle Cleaners receive a set fee for each vehicle cleaned.  

Nationally, the median earnings of Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners were $438 a week in 2001.  The median weekly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $597 in 2001.  

Approximate hourly earnings for some Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners in Michigan were (mid 2002):  

Vehicle Cleaners employed by private car washing businesses have lower wages than those working for auto manufacturers and dealers.  

Some workers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are not usually available for car wash employees.  

Opportunities for advancement are very limited for Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners. However, a few workers may advance to supervisory jobs.   

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 302,200 Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners were employed in 2000. Employment of Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2008. About 6.0% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners looked like this:  

A growing population and higher personal incomes should create some additional demand for more Cleaners. However, technological advances in the car and vehicle wash industry have greatly reduced the need for car washers. Many car washes have automated their wash systems, while at the same time consumers have been turning to do-it-yourself car washes. In addition to limited openings arising from growth, many openings are also expected each year as Cleaners retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.  

There are approximately 10,150 Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners employed in Michigan. They worked for manufacturers of motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, processed food, and metal products. Vehicle Cleaners were also employed by automobile dealers; car washes; local transit authorities; and trucking, railroad, and airplane companies.    

Employment of Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2008. An average of 420 job openings is expected yearly, with 100 due to growth and 320 to replacement of workers who retire or leave for other reasons. Openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations.  

The large number of unemployed, unskilled workers makes the supply of Equipment and Vehicle Cleaners plentiful. Stricter sanitary standards adopted by food and beverage companies will contribute to growth in the employment of Equipment Cleaners. However, automated car washes will limit the demand for Vehicle Cleaners. In addition, employment in auto plants and car dealerships is greatly affected by changes in the economy.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008  

 EMPLOYMENT              NUMBER        PERCENT    PROJECTED YEARLY   
   REGION                       EMPLOYED   GROWTH    JOB OPENINGS  

  Ann Arbor Area                 360                  23.9              20  

  Battle Creek Area               205                  18.9              11  

  Benton Harbor Area            540                  15.5              25  

  Central Michigan                 165                   18.2              8  

  Detroit MSA                      4,470                  3.4             156  

  East Central Michigan          115                  16.4               6  

  Flint Area                             850                   2.2               29  

  Grand Rapids Area             1,090                18.5               54  

  Jackson Area                        200                 12.1                8  

  Kalamazoo Area                   290                 13.7               13  

  Lansing MSA                        395                 19.6               21  

  Muskegon Area                    180                   2.8                7  

  Northeast Lower Peninsula   130                  20.2                7  

  Northwest Lower Peninsula  285                  20.0               15  

  Saginaw MSA                      525                   6.1                20  

  Thumb Area                         195                  19.7               10  

  Upper Peninsula                   280                   25.7              16  

  West Central Michigan         145                   29.5               9 

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area   

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.  

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Equipment and Vehicle Cleaner can be summarized by the following:

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development

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