5S
5S is a support programme for Lean (also known as Toyota Production System or TPS) implementation. An organised workplace reduces non-value added activities of looking for information, tools and materials, and allows employees to communicate visually. Applying 5S generates positive impact on the quality of products and services in any organization. Safety, productivity, and the utilization rate of the company’s occupied workspace and equipment are also impacted. Maintaining an organised workplace is key to continued success for the Lean organisation. It provides for the necessary infrastructure and cultural changes in sustaining the Lean programme and initiatives.
What are the 5S?
5S represents five simple but powerful steps that starts with a letter “S”. The original 5S was in Japanese language, but has been artfully and accurately translated into English as follows:
Sort (Japanese version: 整理, せいり, Seiri)
Set (Japanese version: 整顿, せいとん, Seiton)
Shine (Japanese version: 清扫, せいそう, Seisou)
Standardize (Japanese version: 清洁, せいけつ, Seiketsu)
Sustain (Japanese version: 素养, 习惯化, 躾, しつけ, Shitsuke)
What are the benefits of 5S?
Benefits of 5S include:
Instills discipline and order
Improves safety
Improves ownership of workspace
Improves productivity
Improves machine maintenance management
Enables prompt problem detection
Establishes clear standards
Improves materials management
Related pages that you may be interested in:
- Lean Office
- Lean Implementation Tips
- Kaizen Event
- Total Productive Maintenance | TPM
- Single Minute Exchange of Die | SMED
- Lean
- Value Stream Mapping | VSM
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