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5S is another valuable tool in the Lean Toolbox. 5S is a workplace organisation discipline that was developed in Japan for maintaining order in the workplace, especially a shared workplace. The methodology targets improved workplace morale, safety and efficiency essential for effective production.
The assertion of 5S is, by assigning everything (tools, materials and technology needed) a suitable place and removing unnecessary clutter, time is not wasted by looking for things in the workplace.
- Sort: Going through all the tools and materials in the work area to identify things that are not being used and retaining those essential items only.
- Set in Order: Focus on maximising efficiency. Arranging tools and equipment that are required in a manner that promotes a streamlined workflow. This means keeping materials neatly labelled, allocated a space to live in and more importantly stored where they will be used.
- Shining and Sweeping: Systematic cleaning of the workspace to ensure everything is returned to its place. The key challenge is to maintain cleanliness, therefore it should be a daily rountine in the workplace.
- Standardised: Creating a standard across the workplace. Uniform work practices ensure operation is done in a consistent manner.
- Sustaining the discipline: Refers to relentlessly monitoring and reviewing standards to maintain the standard operating procedures and prevent slipping back into old ways. Once the previous 4S's have been established, they become a new way to operate.
- Safety: An additional feature of 5S implementation in the workplace. When setting up the 5S practices into the workplace a focus and awareness of safety must always be kept in mind.
Why is 5S so valuable in a workplace? It creates a working environment of responsiblity and ownership, control and orderliness, which is essential to world class competitiveness.
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