Safety is a top priority on every industrial site — from factories and warehouses to distribution centres and loading bays. But while businesses invest heavily in internal health and safety procedures, external areas are often overlooked.

In truth, exterior surfaces such as walkways, vehicle bays, storage yards and access roads play a major role in site safety and compliance. Without regular cleaning and maintenance, these surfaces can become hazardous — contributing to slip risks, structural issues, and even non-compliance with workplace regulations.

At Simple Clean, we specialise in jet washing services for industrial sites. In this blog, we explain how regular jet washing supports workplace safety, operational efficiency and legal compliance for industrial businesses across the South East.

Why Exterior Surfaces Pose a Hidden Risk

Industrial sites are exposed to heavy use, vehicle traffic, and constant exposure to the elements. Over time, this leads to a build-up of dirt, moss, algae, oil stains, and general grime.

Common hazards include:

• Slippery surfaces caused by algae or oil

• Moss or debris obstructing pedestrian walkways

• Blocked drainage leading to surface flooding

• Built-up dirt masking damage to the substrate

These issues can cause slips, trips and falls — especially in areas with high foot traffic or where vehicles and pedestrians operate in close proximity. Without intervention, these hazards can lead to injuries, lost working days, and liability claims.

Jet Washing as a Preventative Safety Measure

Jet washing is a powerful and highly effective way to remove built-up contaminants from hard surfaces. When delivered by professionals using commercial-grade equipment, it can transform even the most stubbornly dirty areas.

Key safety benefits include:

• Restoring grip and traction to pathways and yard surfaces

• Removing moss and algae to reduce slip hazards

• Clearing obstructions and allowing safe access for staff and vehicles

• Maintaining visibility of safety markings and signage

By incorporating regular jet washing into your site maintenance plan, you reduce the likelihood of accidents and help ensure a safe working environment year-round.

Supporting Legal Compliance and Insurance Requirements

UK health and safety legislation requires employers to provide a workplace that is safe and free from preventable hazards. This includes ensuring that access routes, external stairs, service yards and loading areas are kept clean and properly maintained.

Neglecting external cleaning can:

• Breach your duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

• Increase the risk of RIDDOR-reportable incidents

• Lead to enforcement action from HSE inspectors

• Jeopardise your insurance cover if negligence is found

Regular jet washing helps demonstrate that you’re taking reasonable steps to meet your legal obligations and duty of care.

Enhancing Site Efficiency and Productivity

It’s not just about safety. Clean, well-maintained surfaces make it easier for teams and vehicles to move around your site efficiently.

Jet washing supports operational productivity by:

• Preventing blocked access and vehicle routes

• Keeping storage areas clean and usable

• Reducing the need for reactive maintenance

• Allowing faster identification of surface damage

If your industrial site is customer-facing or hosts regular deliveries, maintaining a clean and organised exterior also reflects positively on your professionalism and standards.

Tailored Jet Washing for Industrial Environments

At Simple Clean, we understand the complex needs of industrial clients. Our jet washing services are tailored to suit your working hours, safety protocols and access limitations.

We can clean a wide range of industrial surfaces, including:

• Concrete loading bays and warehouse aprons

• Block paving around offices and entrances

• Car parks and access roads

• External stairways and ramps

• Walkways and pedestrian zones

• Bin areas and waste management zones

We use high-pressure water systems and, where needed, eco-friendly degreasers or surface treatments to target oil, algae and chemical stains. We also carry out all work in accordance with site-specific risk assessments and method statements.

Flexible Maintenance Schedules

Every site is different, and cleaning needs can vary depending on usage and weather. That’s why we offer flexible cleaning packages — from one-off deep cleans to regular monthly or quarterly jet washing.

Routine jet washing can be planned around your site’s operations to avoid disruption. We also offer emergency cleaning following incidents such as fuel spills, flooding, or damage caused by extreme weather.

Environmental Responsibility

We know environmental management is a priority for many industrial businesses. At Simple Clean, we use water-efficient equipment and biodegradable cleaning solutions wherever possible. We also follow best practices for runoff containment and waste disposal, so you can be confident that your environmental obligations are being met.

Conclusion

Industrial sites are busy, demanding environments where safety and compliance can’t be compromised. Regular jet washing is a simple yet effective way to prevent hazards, support regulatory compliance, and keep your operations running smoothly.

At Simple Clean, we help industrial clients across the South East maintain clean, safe and compliant sites — with tailored solutions, prompt service and professional results every time.

To schedule a site visit or request a no-obligation quote, get in touch with our team today.