<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                       MPW INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors
and/or officers of MPW Industrial Services Group, Inc., an Ohio corporation,
hereby constitutes and appoints each of Robert J. Gilker, Daniel P. Buettin and
Brad A. Martyn as the true and lawful attorney or attorney-in-fact, with full
power of substitution and revocation, for each of the undersigned and in the
name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign on behalf of each of
the undersigned an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1999 pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to sign
any amendments to such Annual Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting to each attorney or attorney-in-fact full power
and authority to do so and to perform any act requisite and necessary to be done
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each attorney or
attorney-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original with respect to the
person executing it.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have subscribed these presents as
of the 27th day of September, 1999.



        /s/ Monte R. Black                             /s/ Ira O. Kane
--------------------------------------------      ------------------------------
            Monte R. Black                                 Ira O. Kane
Chairman of the Board of Directors and            President and Chief Operating
       Chief Executive Officer                          Officer; Director
      (Principal Executive Officer)



        /s/ Daniel P. Buettin                          /s/ Pete A. Klisares
--------------------------------------------      ------------------------------
            Daniel P. Buettin                              Pete A. Klisares
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and                   Director
          Assistant Secretary
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



        /s/ Gerald Nilsson-Weiskott                    /s/ Timothy A. Walsh
--------------------------------------------      ------------------------------
            Gerald Nilsson-Weiskott                        Timothy A. Walsh
                   Director                                    Director


        /s/ Scott N. Whitlock                          /s/ J. Craig Wright
--------------------------------------------      ------------------------------
            Scott N. Whitlock                              J. Craig Wright
                Director                                     Director