5S System: Promoting Workplace Quality and Safety

5S is a system and way of organizing and managing workspaces to improve efficiency by eliminating waste, improving flow and reducing process. 5S systems are common in manufacturing, warehouses, offices and hospitals but 5S principles can be applied to any workplace. Pioneered by Toyota Motor Company, the 5S method applies standard housekeeping practices in the workplace through the five principles of Sort (seiri), Set in order (seiton), Shine (seiso), Standardize (seiketsu), and Sustain (shitsuke). 5S Principles A cluttered and untidy workplace can lead to low productivity, worker dissatisfaction and re-occurring accidents. The 5S Principles can help identify and eliminate wastage to achieve a more organized and safer working environment. 1. SORT (SEIRI) The first step in 5S “Sort” aims to figure out which materials or items need to be removed by sorting. · Gather your team and ask if there are defective tool...