5S - Workplace Organization
Before..
After..
• 5S means the workplace is clean, there is a place for
everything and everything is in its place.
• 5S is the starting point for implementing improvements to a
process.
• To ensure your gains are sustainable you must start with a firm
foundation.
• Its strength is contingent upon the employees and company
being committed to maintaining it.
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5S Translation - Workplace Organization
Step
Japanese
Literal Translation
English
Step 1:
Seiri
Clearing Up
Sorting
Step 2:
Seiton
Organizing
Straightening
Step 3:
Seiso
Cleaning
Shining
Step 4:
Seiketsu
Standardizing
Standardizing
Step 5:
Shitsuke
Training & Discipline
Sustaining
Focus on using the English words, much easier to remember.
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SORTING - Decide what is needed.
Definition:
– To sort out necessary and
unnecessary items.
– To store often used items at
the work area, infrequently
used items away from the
work area and dispose of
items that are not needed.
Why:
–
–
–
–
Removes waste.
Safer work area.
Gains space.
Easier to visualize the process.
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Things to remember
• Start in one area then sort through
everything.
• Discuss removal of items with all
persons involved.
• Use appropriate decontamination,
environmental and safety
procedures.
• Items that cannot be removed
immediately should be tagged for
later removal.
• If necessary use movers and
riggers.
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A Method for Sorting
Item
Useful
Unknown
Useless
Keep &
Monitor
Keep &
Store
Useful
Sorting
ABC Storage
Useless
Dispose
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Frequency of Use
A Method for Sorting
Use this graph as a general guide for
deciding where to store items along
with the table below.
A
B
C
Distance
Frequency of
Utilization
Class
Keep within arms
reach
Keep in local
location
Keep in remote
location
Daily or several times
a day
A
YES
MAYBE
NO
Weekly
B
MAYBE
YES
NO
Monthly or quarterly
C
NO
NO
YES
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STRAIGHTENING – Arranging Necessary Items
Definition:
– To arrange all necessary items.
– To have a designated place
for everything.
– A place for everything and
everything in its place.
– Easily visible and accessible.
Why:
– Visually shows what is required
or is out of place.
– More efficient to find items and
documents (silhouettes/labels).
– Saves time by not having to
search for items.
– Shorter travel distances.
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Things to remember
• Things used together
should be kept together.
• Use labels, tape, floor
markings, signs and
shadow outlines.
• Sharable items should be
kept at a central location
(eliminated excess).
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SHINING – Cleaning the Workplace
Definition:
– Clean everything and find
ways to keep it clean.
– Make cleaning a part of
your everyday work.
Why:
– A clean workplace
indicates a quality product
and process.
– Dust and dirt cause
product contamination
and potential health
hazards.
– A clean workplace helps
identify abnormal
conditions.
Things to remember
• “Everything in its place” frees up time
for cleaning.
• Use an office or facility layout as a
visual aid to identify individual
responsibilities for cleaning. This
eliminates “no man’s land”.
• Cleaning the work area is like bathing.
It relieves stress and strain, removes
sweat and dirt and prepares the body
for the next day.
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STANDARDIZING – Creating Consistency
Definition:
– To maintain the workplace at
a level that uncovers
problems and makes them
obvious.
– To continuously improve
your office or facility by
continuous assessment and
action.
Why:
– To sustain Sorting, Storage
and Shining activities every
day.
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Things to remember
• We must keep the workplace neat
enough for visual identifiers to be
effective in uncovering hidden
problems.
• Develop a system that enables
everyone in the workplace to see
problems when they occur.
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SUSTAINING – Maintaining the 5S
Definition:
– To maintain our discipline
we need to practice and
repeat until it becomes a
way of life.
Why:
Things to Remember
• Develop schedules and check
lists.
• Good habits are hard
to establish.
• Commitment and discipline
toward housekeeping are
essential first steps toward
being world class.
– To build 5S into our
everyday process.
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