“A company that cannot successfully implement the 5S’s cannot expect to effectively integrate JIT, re-engineering or any other large scale change.”

-Hiroyuki Hirano, Japanese Engineering Educator

 5S

5S is the name of a workplace organization method that uses a list of five Japanese words: Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke. Transliterated or translated into English, they all start with the letter “S”— as Sort, Set in Order (or straightening), Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. This list describes how to organize a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used, maintaining the area and process, and sustaining the new order for profit and enhancement.

5S deployment is a systematic form of visual management incorporating everything from the floor to operational manuals. It is a standardized process when implemented appropriately creates and maintains organizations safe, clean and efficient. The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization, which builds understanding among employees of how they should do the work.

5S training program helps organizations to perform efficiently, effectively, and safely. It a standardized system that aims at having everything at its designated space, thus reduces redundant time and resource in searching it later. With a proper 5S deployment, oragnisations can improve their overall functions and increase productivity.

THE 5 S'S

• SORTING (SEIRI)
  Eliminate all unnecessary tools, parts, and instructions. Go through all tools, materials, and so forth in the plant and work area. Keep only essential items and eliminate what is not required, prioritizing things per requirements and keeping them in easily-accessible places. Everything else is stored or discarded.

• STRAIGHTENING OUT (SEITON)
  There should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place. The place for each item should be clearly indicated. Organizing everything in a logical order and ergonomic locations thus making it easier for employees to reach them and complete the task in time effectively.

• SWEEPING OR SHINING (SEISO)
  Clean the workspace and all equipment and keep it clean, tidy and organized. At the end of each shift, clean the work area and be sure everything is restored to its place. This makes it easy to know what goes where and ensures that everything is where it belongs. Spills, leaks, and other messes also then become a visual signal for equipment or process steps that need attention. A key point is that maintaining cleanliness should be part of the daily work – not an occasional activity initiated when things get too messy.

• STANDARDIZING (SEIKETSU)
  It is one of the major parts of 5S training program as it gives importance of work practices that should be consistent and standardized at all times. All work stations for a particular job should be identical. All employees doing the same job should be able to work in any station with the same tools that are in the allocated location in every station. Everyone should know exactly what his or her responsibilities are for adhering to the first 3 S's.

• SUSTAINING THE PRACTICE (SHITSUKE)
  Maintain and review standards. Once the previous 4 S's have been established, they become the new way to operate. Maintain focus on this new way and do not allow a gradual decline back to the old ways. While thinking about the new way, also be thinking about yet better ways. When an issue arises such as a suggested improvement, a new way of working, a new tool or a new output requirement, review the first 4S's and make changes as appropriate. It should be made as a habit and be continually improved.