5'S

5S is a process and method for creating and maintaining a safe, organized, clean and high performance workplace.

5S represents 5 disciplines for maintaining a visual workplace (visual controls and information systems.These are foundational to kaizen(continuous improvement) and a manufacturing strategy based "Lean manufacturing" (waste removing) concept.

5S is short for:  Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain.

The principles of 5S are:

•  Sort
• Set in order
•  Shine
•  Standardize
•  Sustain

 1) Sort - All unneeded tools, parts and supplies are removed from the area. Sort, from the workplace, what is needed from what is not needed. General criteria: If it wasn't used in the last 30 days, or it will not be needed in the next 30 days, store it away from the work site. Use the "Red Tag" technique to remove items from the work place.

 2) Set in order - A Place for everything and everything is in its place. Find a place for everything and put everything in its place. Mark and label everything so that it can be easily found and easily put away.

 3) Shine - The area is cleaned as the work is performed. Clean the area and the equipment. Use a "ceiling down" strategy. Paint if necessary. Develop strategies to prevent items from getting dirty.

 4) Standardize -  Cleaning and identification methods are consistently applied. Standardize the use of the first three S's by developing 5S checklists for all areas. Checklists should include a picture of what the area should look like.

 5) Sustain -  5S is a habit and is continually improved. Make the first four S's a habit and part of the plant's culture. Use an audit team to evaluate and grade the 5S implementation throughout the plant.