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The Five Ss |
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Sort:
Sort out unneeded items
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Straighten:
Have a place for everything
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Shine:
Keep the area clean
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Standardize:
Create rules and standard operating procedures
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Sustain:
Maintain the system and continue to improve it
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The Five Ss
The Five Ss refer to the five
dimensions of of workplace optimization:
Seiri (Sort),
Seiton (Set in order), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (Standardize), and
Shitsuke (Sustain).
Like many
concepts of Kaizen
and
Lean Manufacturing, the 5S can be interpreted narrowly or broadly, depending on
circumstances of their use.
The 5S Program
defines the steps that are used to make all work spaces efficient
and productive, help people share work stations, reduce time looking
for needed tools and improve the work environment.
Implementing Kaizen: 7 Conditions
Phases of 5S
There are 5
primary phases of 5S: sorting, straightening, systematic cleaning,
standardizing, and sustaining. Additionally, there is an additional
phase, safety, that is sometimes included.
Sorting (Seiri):
Eliminate all unnecessary tools, parts, instructions. Go through all
tools, materials, etc., in the plant and work area. Keep only
essential items. Everything else is stored or discarded.
Straightening or Setting in Order (Seiton): There should be a
place for everything and everything should be in its place. The
place for each item should be clearly labeled or demarcated. Items
should be arranged in a manner that promotes efficient work flow.
Workers should not have to repetitively bend to access materials.
Each tool, part, supply, piece of equipment, etc. should be kept
close to where it will be used (i.e. straighten the flow path).
Seiton is one of the features that distinguishes 5S from
"standardized cleanup".
Shining or
Sweeping or Cleanliness / Systematic Cleaning (Seiso): Keep the
workplace 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. 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): Work practices should be consistent
and standardized. Everyone should know exactly what his or her
responsibilities are for adhering to the first 3 S's.
Sustaining
the discipline (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 4 S's and make changes as
appropriate. |
