5 S workplace organization

How does 5S help in achieving your goals? The 5S method  helps to elimininate searching, waiting and walking, with searching causing a lot of stress, especially under time pressure! Sorting, Setting in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain are the steps in any 5S program. But how do you do it? What are the guidelines while taking these steps?

The 5S meaning

The 5S method is a structured program to implement workplace organization and standardization. 5S improves safety, work efficiency, productivity and ownership. And a well organized workplace motivates people. 

The program is called 5S, since all steps start with an "S". 

5 S Workplace Organization and Standardization process

Sort deals with the contents of a workplace, and removes all items that are not needed there.

Set in Order refers to "a place for everything, and everything in its place" to enable easy access to needed items. 

Shine refers not just to cleaning, but to "being proud" about the way the workplace is organized. 

Standardize refers to having standards that everyone has to adhere to. Visual management is an important aspect to facilitate easy understanding of these standards.

Sustain refers to training of all employees and communication to all employees to ensure 5S application. 

The 5S management program facilitates an excellent performance: 

Safety: a well organized and orderly workplace is a safer workplace. 5S activities remove clutter, visual indicators alarm people for hazardous situations. 

Improving production efficiency: 5S supports a smooth production process in various ways. Searching for tools is eliminated, flow principles are applied, and tools storage is done where they are needed most. Location indicators visualize how things have been organized, and non conformities are seen at once. 

Quality improvement: Daily activities like inspection help to keep the production process in the right condition. Defects are prevented, because deviations are spotted before they result into defects. 

Controlling your workplace: 5S helps to control the workplace by: 

• Determining what is needed, and where it is needed.
  

• Defining the appropriate location for tools and other materials.
  

• Maintaining these standards.

5S Online video training program

The 5S online video training program is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Arabic.