Description

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”.^[1] The list describes how to organize a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used, maintaining the area and items, and sustaining the new order.^[2] The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization, which builds understanding among employees of how they should do the work.
5S is a basic, fundamental, systematic approach for productivity, quality and safety improvement in all types of business.What is 5S?

A 5S (Five S) program is usually a part of, and the key component of establishing a Visual Workplace and are both a part of Kaizen – a system of continual improvement – which is a component of lean manufacturing.

The 5S program focuses on:

• having visual order
• organization
• cleanliness
• standardization

The results you can expect from a 5S program are: improved profitability, efficiency, service and safety.

The principles underlying a 5S program at first appear to be simple, obvious common sense. And they are. But until the advent of 5S programs many businesses ignored these basic principles.

What are the Five Ss?

5S was developed in Japan and stands for the Japanese words seiri (tidiness), seiton (orderliness), seiso (cleanliness), seiketsu (standardization), and shitsuke (discipline). These words have been adopted to English to maintain “5S.”

IS Seiri(Sorting):

“Sorting” means to sort through everything in each work area. Keep only what is necessary. Materials, tools, equipment and supplies that are not frequently used should be moved to a separate, common storage area. Items that are not used should be discarded or recycled.

Don””t keep things around just because they might be used, someday.

5S Sorting itself involves five steps:

1. Cleaning
2. Classifying
3. Ownership
4. Red Tagging
5. Recycling / Reassignment

5S Sorting – Cleaning

The purpose of “sorting” is to identify unnecessary items and eliminate them from the workplace. To do this first requires cleaning up the workplace so you can see what you have. Clean up accumulations of dirt, debris, oil, grease, broken tools, excess materials, and scrap. As you do this you””ll also be involved with the second step of 5S sorting.

5S Sorting – Classifying

As you are cleaning up you””ll find tools, equipment, materials and supplies. As each item is found, classify it as to the type of object. Scrap metal might go directly to a recycling bin. An item classified as tool might go to a collection area for further identification.

5S Sorting – Ownership

In some cases, as items are found or classified their ownership may be obvious. For example, pallets might be collected in one area so they can be returned to the shipping department. It may be immediately obvious where a tool belongs and that tool can be directly returned to its correct storage location. In other cases determining ownership may require asking some questions or doing a little research.

5S Sorting – Red Tagging

If an item cannot be identified, or if it cannot be classified, or if ownership cannot be determined, then it should be red tagged. Red tagging involves marking items with a red tag so that each item can be evaluated and dealt with appropriately. Red tagged items are collected in an area that allows potential owners to examine them and determine what should be done with the items for which they are responsible.

Additional Information:

• Item Code: 5S
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