Understanding the 5S Methodology
The 5S Methodology: What It Is and What It Means
The 5S strategy is named as such because it represents the actions of five Japanese words beginning with the letter ‘S’. Each word carries an important meaning for workplace organization and efficiency.
Objectives of 5S
- Improve the work environment and instill quality habits in personnel.
- Reduce expenditure of time and energy.
- Reduce the risk of accidents and health hazards.
- Improve product quality.
Origins of 5S
The 5S methodology originated in Japan under the guidance of W. Edwards Deming over 40 years. It emerged from the aftermath of World War Two. Its key objectives were the removal of obstacles to the efficient operation of processes.
1S: Seiri (Sort) – Delete the Unnecessary
Keep what is useful and eliminate the rest.
In our work environment, Seiri refers to classifying and separating items that are not needed or are in excess.
Benefits of Seiri
- Frees up space.
- Reduces instances of “lost” documents or objects.
- Improves familiarity with the work area.
- Eliminates useless objects.
- Reduces the likelihood of accidents.
2S: Seiton (Set in Order) – Sort
A place for everything, and everything in its place.
Seiton involves organizing the elements classified as necessary so that they can be easily found, used, and returned to their designated place. It defines a specific location for frequently used items, identified to reduce search time and facilitate return after use.
Benefits of Seiton
- Helps quickly find objects or work documents, saving time and motion.
- Facilitates the return of objects after use.
- Helps identify when something is missing.
- Improves overall appearance.
3S: Seiso (Shine) – Clear
“Seiso is more than cleaning: Cleaning is inspection.”
Maintain clean machines and work environments. Identify sources of dirt. Identify problems in operation. Identify useless elements.
Applying Seiso
- Integrate cleanup as part of everyday work.
- Treat cleaning as a self-maintenance activity.
- Abolish the distinction between process operator, cleaning operator, and maintenance technician.
Benefits of Seiso
- Increases the lifespan of equipment.
- Allows for easy identification of faults and cleaning in a timely manner.
- Leads to a significant increase in the overall effectiveness of equipment.
- Prevents losses due to dirt and pollution.
- Reduces waste due to poor operation.
- Fewer accidents.
- Helps prevent further damage to the environment.
4S: Seiketsu (Standardize)
“Leaving things as well or better than before using.”
Maintain high levels of organization, order, and cleanliness. Maintain a stimulating work environment to fill us with enthusiasm and bring us to personal efficiency. Systematize well-being.
Aims of Seiketsu (Standardization)
- Instruct the operator to make rules with the support of leadership and proper training.
- The rules must contain the necessary elements to perform the cleanup work, the time taken, safety measures to be taken into account, and procedures to follow in case of identifying something abnormal.
Benefits of Seiketsu
- Strengthens personal satisfaction with the place of work.
- Increases personal and organizational productivity.
- Staff prepares to assume greater responsibility in managing the job.
- Improves our health.
- We feel and see better.
5S: Shitsuke (Sustain) – Discipline and Habit
Create habits based on the 4 S’s above.
Work permanently in accordance with the rules, creating patterns based on the 4 S’s above. Assume everyone’s commitment to maintain and improve the level of organization, order, and cleanliness in daily activity.
Implications of Shitsuke
- Respect the rules and standards established to maintain the workplace impeccably.
- Perform personal control and respect for the rules governing the functioning of an organization.
- Promote the habit of self-monitoring and reflect on the level of compliance established.
- Understand the importance of respect for others and the rules under which the worker has probably directly or indirectly involved in its preparation.
Benefits of Shitsuke
- Creates a culture of sensitivity, respect, and care for company resources.
- Discipline is a way to change habits.
- Follow the standards established and growing awareness and respect between people.
- Moral at work increases.
Management Paradigms
It is necessary to keep equipment running. Workers do not care for the site. There are numerous urgent requests, wasting time cleaning. The order is not taken so long. Hire an inexperienced worker to perform the cleaning out… cheaper.
Paradigms of Operators
I get paid to work, not to clean. “I have 10 years… why should I clean?” We need more space to store everything we have.