- Surface
- Concrete, sealed or unsealed
- Contamination
- Oil or suspected oily residue
- Distinguish
- Surface film, absorbed staining and damage
- Waste issue
- Oil-bearing washwater and absorbents
Concrete finish and oil contamination
Concrete may be unsealed, sealed or coated, and the finish affects which cleaning products and equipment are suitable. Where possible, the oil or process liquid should also be identified. A visible stain alone does not establish what the residue contains.
Fresh oil on the surface, older contamination absorbed into the concrete and physical damage are different problems. Cleaning can remove oily residue without removing every stain, and it will not repair damaged concrete.
Cleaning objective and surface condition
The aim may be to remove a slip-causing film, prepare the floor for a coating or improve general cleanliness. The level of cleaning and the completion check should match that aim.
A trial area is useful when the floor treatment is uncertain or earlier repairs have left more than one finish. It can show whether the proposed method is compatible with the surface and what appearance is realistically achievable.
Washwater and site controls
Oily washwater and used absorbents require controlled collection and appropriate waste assessment. Contaminated water should not be directed to a surface-water drain. Before wet cleaning, the drainage route and any permission needed for discharge should be clear.
Slips, vehicle movements and access around the work area also need control. Where a cleaning product is hazardous to health, its use should be covered by the site’s COSHH assessment and the supplier’s instructions should be followed.
Recurring oil contamination
If oil keeps reaching the floor, cleaning removes the contamination but not its cause. A leak, poor containment or an operating problem may need separate attention. Any staining or damaged concrete left after cleaning should be identified as such.