What is a 5S campaign?
5S is an important basis for the build-up of a KAIZEN organization. A sound initial basis for further improvements is achieved with simple measures, which however, must be consistently implemented on a wide scale, to be able to move in the direction of process optimization, flow and just-in-time.
The advantage of 5S is that staffs know the methods from the very start and train themselves to it. They include standards, visual management, grasping of characteristic figures and a sense for systems orderliness. People are integrated into the system from the very start and they advance further. Highly qualified specialized forces are thus bred from in-house resources.
The 5S campaign leads to success because it …
…is transparent in organization and comprehensible at all times
…is based on orderliness and cleanliness
…improves the surrounding on a step-by-step basis
…integrates staffs into the system in a responsible manner
…is always capable of showing measurable positive results
…has been tried and tested a thousand-fold
5S leads to:
- orderliness and cleanliness
- the saving of spaces
- the reduction of costs
- more transparency
- shorter search times
- less wastage
- motivation and a higher level of staff satisfaction
1. Seiri (Sorting out things that are not required)
In the first stage, everything found at the workplace is subjected to critical examination.
Unnecessary and obsolete things (working materials, tools, documents, devices etc.) are sorted out. They are dumped in the trash, placed in the archives or sent for recycling.
2. Seiton (Creating systematic orderliness)
The remaining working and auxiliary materials are then arranged in a clearly ordered and ergonomic manner.
3. Seiso (Cleanliness at workplace)
All staffs are responsible for cleanliness at workplace.
If necessary, responsibilities are defined and publicized right on-the-spot.
4. Seiketsu (Creating standards)
Rules and standards are vital to the permanent existence of orderliness, cleanliness and improvements. Standards are also of relevance to safety, like the wearing of protective gears.
A standard serves the purpose of doing something in the best, simplest and safest way and manner.
5. Shitsuke (Complying with standards)
Self-discipline is a crucial factor in this respect. Defined standards must be complied with and if necessary, improved upon or redefined. The focus of all staffs should be centered on the permanent improvement of the working environment.
The most important alphabet in the CIP process is the ‘C’ which stands for ‘continuity’.
That is why the completion of the 5S campaign is not the end of the process. On the contrary, time gained through the elimination of losses and wastage should be continuously utilized for the improvement of the working environment. The principles of the 5S should be strong and dominant and repeatedly put into practice.
Only by this means will staffs have a pleasant working environment on a permanent basis, utilization of area confined strictly to the level of necessity, staffs motivated, number of accidents reduced, qualiy of work improved, machine downtimes reduced and the unnecessary search for tools, documents and working materials eliminated.
If the working processes are transparent, problems and irregularities will be detected in good time. Most often, bottleneck situations are avoided by this means.
