A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place: What Are the 5S?

Do you waste time looking for things? Is space limited in your office, warehouse, workshop or factory? If so, you need to implement 5S.

The 5S program is a key component of establishing a visual workplace. It also forms part of Kaizen—the Japanese approach to continuous improvement—and of Lean manufacturing.

5S focuses on visual order, organization, cleanliness and standardization. Expected benefits include improved profitability, efficiency, service and safety.

The principles behind 5S may initially seem simple, obvious and like common sense. They are—but many businesses overlook them until they introduce 5S.

What Are the Five S’s?

• SEIRI—Sort. Separate unnecessary items from necessary ones. Discard what is not needed.
• SEITON—Set in Order. Put necessary items in easily accessible places according to their frequency and sequence of use. A place for everything and everything in its place!
• SEISO—Shine. Thoroughly clean the workplace so machines, tools, floors and equipment are free of dust and grease.
• SEIKETSU—Standardize; Standardize the first three S’s so they become routine habits.
• SHITSUKE—Sustain. Train people to apply good organization and cleaning practices consistently and with discipline.

Which Businesses Benefit from a 5S Program?

Implementing 5S brings many benefits. When discussing 5S, Kaizen and Lean, industrial and contract manufacturing plants often come to mind first. However, any business—from a retail store to a power plant—and every company area can benefit from a 5S program.

Want to learn more? Interested in an online or in-person course? Contact us—we can help.

References:

• Implementing World Class Manufacturing. Business Manual. Larry Rubrich & Mattie Watson
• The Toyota Way. 14 Management Principles from the world’s Greatest Manufacturer. Jeffrey K. Liker
• Lean Thinking. Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation. Womack and Jones.
• The Lean Pocket Guide XL. Tools for the Elimination of Waste!.