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Workplace Organisation

and the 5S’s

Author: Greig Sneddon,
Operations Manager
Seaborne Plastics Ltd,
Cranleigh,
Surrey
 WHAT IS 5S?

 Developed by the Japanese

 Workplace
Organisation and
Housekeeping System
 HelpsCreate a Better Working
Environment and a Consistently High
Quality Process
 THE 5S PRINCIPLES
 SEIRI – Organisation
 SEITON – Orderliness
 SEISO – The Act of Cleaning
 SEIKETSU – The State of Cleanliness
 SHITSUKE - The Practice of Discipline
 WHY DO IT?

QUALITY EFFICIENCY

5S
SAFETY ELIMINATING
BREAKDOWNS
 EFFICIENCY
 Time is wasted looking for tools, equipment
and paperwork, etc
 A clean and tidy workplace leads to greater
well being and increased motivation
 Teamworking makes unexciting work more
rewarding
 ELIMINATE
BREAKDOWNS
 Breakdowns caused by the elimination
of dirt need never occur
 Clearlabelling and routine maintenance
are essential disciplines
A clean workplace highlights problems
early
 SAFETY
 Dirty cluttered workplaces are not safe

 Safety depends on good care and

organisation

 Safety should become second nature

 ORGANISATION
 Decide what you need

 Remove unnecessary clutter

 All tools, gauges, materials, classified and

stored

 Remove items which are broken, unusable or

only occasionally used
 ORGANISATION
PRIORITY FREQUENCY OF USE HOW TO USE
Low Less than once per year Throw away
Once per year Store away from
the workplace
Average At least 2/6 months Store together but
Once per month offline
Once per week
High Once Per Day Locate at the
workplace
 ORDERLINESS
 Organise layout of tools and equipment
– Designated locations
– Use tapes, labels and silhouettes

 Ensure
everything is available as it is
needed and at the “point of use”
 ORDERLINESS
Workplace Checkpoints:-
 Positions of aisles and storage places clearly
marked?
 Tools classified and stored by frequency of
use?
 Pallets stacked correctly?
 Safety equipment easily accessible?
 Floors in good condition?
 Lights / Reflectors clean?
 CLEANING

 Create a spotless workplace

 Identifyand eliminate causes of dirt and

grime – remove the need to clean

 Sweep, dust, polish and paint

 CLEANING
 Divide areas into zones

 Define responsibilities for cleaning

 Tools and equipment must be owned by an

individual

 Focus on removing the need to clean

 STANDARDISING
 Keep it clean and/or organised
 Replace items in designated areas
 Continue to assess the use and disposal of
items
 Regularly audit using checklists and
measures of housekeeping
 Real challenge is to keep it clean
 DISCIPLINE
 Make it a way of life
 Part of health and safety
 Involve the whole workforce
 Follow the rules and procedures
 Develop and keep good habits
 Think and share ideas with others
 Encourage teams to set their own standards
EXTRACT FROM A REAL PLAN SHOWING
HOW AUDITING AGAINST 5S BECOMES A
WAY OF LIFE
Area Responsible Auditors: Audit to be carried out by
Person 3rd week of each month by named
person and an assistant…
July Sept Nov
Boiler Brian Ronnie Linda Neal
House, Sutherland Wilson Johnstone Robertson
Site, Car
park
Stockroom Kevin McEwen Linda Neal Brian
Johnstone Robertson Sutherland
Sales Sandra Collins Neal Brian Helen
Robertson Sutherland Graham
 BENEFITS
Improvements in:-
 Workforce morale
 Company image
 Health and Safety
 Machine maintenance
 Quality
 Productivity
Leading to Increased Competitiveness
This diagram was developed using an idea that
Nissan of Sunderland taught the JIT Club and links
housekeeping to Health & Safety.

Health & Safety Audit Spider Graph

Summary

Electrical
5
4
Housekeeping 3 Chemical
2
1
0 Oct-99
Storage & Handling Fire

Machinery
 competitivescotland.com

If you have any queries about this material, please

contact the author:
Greig Sneddon,
Operations Manager,
Seaborne Plastics Ltd,
Unit 3-4, Manfield Park Ind. Est.,
Cranleigh,
Surrey
GU6 8PT