Understanding 5S

5S philosophy focuses on5S philosophy focuses on

Work place organizationStandard Operating ProceduresSimplifies the work environmentReduces wasteReduces “non-value” activityImproves quality efficiencyImproves workplace safety

The 5 S’sThe 5 S’s

Sorting Set in Order Scrubbing CleanStandardizingSustain

SortingSorting

Process to eliminate unnecessary items from the workplace

Tag and evaluate needMove occasional use items to storage locationDiscard unneeded items (scrap etc)Get rid of “J.I.C.” mentalityEliminate space taken up by unneeded items-

huge toolboxes, benches, scrap partsRemove outdated papers and filesReduce cabinets, shelving, lockers that have no

current useEliminate outdated posters, wall boards, metrics,

slogans, banners

Set in OrderSet in Order

A place for everything and everything in its place…

Equipment – shop and officeToolsCabinets and filesBrooms and trash cans!!

Scrubbing and CleanScrubbing and Clean

◦The cleaner the better◦Clean areas where red tagged items were removed

◦Remove dirt, oil, scrap, and garbage◦Look at lighting◦Clean on a daily basis◦Audit the cleaning process◦Improve equipment maintenance

Scrubbing and CleanScrubbing and Clean

◦Clean aisles, walkways, floors, machines, desks

◦Assign cleaning responsibilities◦Create target areas: equipment, floors, inventories

◦Cleaning checklists◦Correct deficiencies◦Cleaning is a team effort◦Correct root cause of messy areas

StandardizingStandardizing

Standard Operating Procedures◦Implement “SOPs” in all areas◦Involve staff in developing “SOPs”◦Involve vendors◦Involve consultants◦Document all SOPS

StandardizingStandardizing

Step 1: PlanningWho does what and when

Step 2: AllocationAssign resources to tasks

StandardizingStandardizing

◦Step 3: ActTrain all employees

◦Step 4: Implement

◦Step 5: VerifyEnsure effectiveness

SustainSustain

◦Most difficult of the 5 S◦Employees tend to return to “comfort zone”

◦Need to monitor and influence until new culture becomes the “status quo”

◦Takes time!!

The Benefits of 5SThe Benefits of 5S

Increased efficiencyIncreased productivityIncreased profitabilityImproved moraleA nicer place to work