Japanese 5s Kaizen QC Training

Japanese 5s Kaizen QC Training

5S is a philosophy that hones in on effective work place organization and standardized work procedures. The concept is based off of 5 Japanese words that begin with ‘S’, seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, and shitsuke. When translated to English, there are five primary 5S phases: sorting, set in order, systematic cleaning, standardizing, and sustaining

1: Sort (Seiri)

The First S Focuses On Eliminating Unnecessary Items From The Workplace. An Effective Visual Method To Identify These Unneeded Items Is Called Red Tagging. A Red Tag Is Placed On All Items Not Required To Complete Your Job. These Items Are Then Moved To A Central Holding Area. This Process Is For Evaluation Of The Red Tag Items. Occasionally Used Items Are Moved To A More Organized Storage Location Outside Of The Work Area While Unneeded Items Are Discarded. Sorting Is An Excellent Way To Free Up Valuable Floor Space And Eliminate Such Things As Broken Tools, Obsolete Jigs And Fixtures, Scrap And Excess Raw Material.

2: Set In Order (Seiton)

Is The Second S And Focuses On Efficient And Effective Storage Methods. You Must Ask Yourself These Questions: What Do I Need To Do My Job? Where Should I Locate This Item? How Many Of This Item Do I Need? Strategies For Effective Set In Order Are Painting Floors, Outlining Work Areas And Locations, Shadow Boards, And Modular Shelving And Cabinets For Needed Items Such As Trash Cans, Brooms, Mop And Buckets. Imagine How Much Time Is Wasted Every Day Looking For A Broom? The Broom Should Have A Specific Location Where All Employees Can Find It. “A Place For Everything And Everything In Its Place.”

3: Shine (Seiso)

Once You Have Eliminated The Clutter And Junk That Has Been Clogging Your Work Areas And Identified And Located The Necessary Items, The Next Step Is To Thoroughly Clean The Work Area. Daily Follow-Up Cleaning Is Necessary In Order To Sustain This Improvement. Workers Take Pride In A Clean And Clutter-Free Work Area And The Shine Step Will Help Create Ownership In The Equipment And Facility.

4: Standardize (Seiketsu)

Now That The First Three 5S’s Have Been Implemented, You Should Concentrate On Standardizing Best Practice In Your Work Area. Allow Your Employees To Participate In The Development Of Such Standards.

5: Sustain (Shitsuke)

This Is By Far The Most Difficult S To Implement And Achieve. Human Nature Is To Resist Change And More Than A Few Organizations Have Found Themselves With A Dirty Cluttered Shop A Few Months Following Their Attempt To Implement 5S.

Once Fully Implemented, The 5S Process Can Increase Moral, Create Positive Impressions On Customers, And Increase Efficiency And Organization. Not Only Will Employees Feel Better About Where They Work, The Effect On Continuous Improvement Can Lead To Less Waste, Better Quality And Faster Lead Times. Any Of Which Will Make Your Organization More Profitable And Competitive In The Market Place.