5S is a method of organizing a workspace to make it safe, efficient and effective. The goal of 5S is to create a clean, uncluttered environment that allows people to do their jobs without wasting time, while also lowering the risk of injury.
The five words in 5S represent the five steps to accomplish this goal. They are sort, set, shine, standardize and sustain. Lean bases the words on the original Japanese:seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and sh*tsuke.
5S is a key component in eliminating the eight wastes of Lean when setting up a workstation. While it ranks among the most widely used and fundamental components of Lean Manufacturing, it’s common-sense application also works in almost every setting.
Here’s an overview of the five steps.
Sort
In this first step, workers sort everything in a workspace into what is and what is not needed. Some use a system called “red tagging” in which every item not necessary for a process gets red-tagged during the sort phase. These items are set aside and evaluated later. Workers store seldom used items nearby, but not at the workstation. They discard unsafe items and clutter.
The Sort phase is the first step to making more effective use of space by clearing out hazardous items and clutter that distracts from doing the job.
Set
Set, or Set in Order, follows the advice: “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Workers position items based on use, with frequently needed items kept closer at hand. Every item that made it through the Sort stage is given storage space. In some cases, workers can use color-coded labels to easily identify storage spaces.
The Set in Order phase creates an ergonomic, organized and uncluttered workspace where employees have what they need close at hand and know where every item is stored. This creates a less stressful work environment.
Shine
With the clutter gone and storage space organized, it’s time to clean. After a thorough initial cleaning, workers clean the station every day (sometimes twice a day). This maintains the gains made in the Sort and Set phases. Cleaning includes storage areas, machines, equipment, tools and work surfaces.
The Shine phase creates a more pleasant environment for employees, who no longer have to combat dust, dirt and clutter. Cleaning the area every day also leads to a higher level of employee buy-in for the 5S method.
Standardize
This step involves creating ways to sustain the first three steps. Employees participate in creation of a set of standards that will govern maintenance of the workspace going forward. Once this “new normal” becomes a habit, all old habits will fall away. This may require oversight and enforcement before becoming a habit, however.
The Standardize phase takes the progress and changes in behavior from the first three steps and makes them the standard procedure.
Sustain
In Sustain, the goal is to stick to the new rules. Workers keep the new standards in place and practice the first three steps every day until they become automatic and the accepted way of doing things. This final step often proves the most challenging. However, without sustaining the new system, all the cost and effort that went into creating it will prove pointless.
The Sustain phase of 5S often requires training and good communication, but it eventually will lead to employees becoming comfortable with 5S procedures.
While not complicated, the 5S system presents challenges in both implementing the steps and sustaining the practice. Putting 5S into place can not only help make people less stressed and more efficient, but will also improve workplace safety and reduce training time for new employees.
FAQs
The 5S pillars, Sort (Seiri), Set in Order (Seiton), Shine (Seiso), Standardize (Seiketsu), and Sustain (sh*tsuke), provide a methodology for organizing, cleaning, developing, and sustaining a productive work environment.
What is 5S sort? ›
Search for: Efficiency is the backbone of any manufacturing or fabrication environment, including a shipyard. Whatever job you have in the workplace, it's essential that you maintain the company's standard of qualify and perform at peak reliability.
What does the 5S stand for? ›
5S is a five-step methodology that, when followed, creates a more organized and productive workspace. In English, the 5S's are: Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
What is the 5S method based on ____________________? ›
The 5S method is based on the observation that a clean and tidy workspace is conducive to good production quality.
What is the 5S formula? ›
By implementing a lean 5S system - sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain - organizations can create a clean, well ordered, and disciplined work environment. Many companies implement only the first three steps, hoping the last two will automatically follow.
What is shine in 5S? ›
The third step of the 5S methodology is shine. This phase focuses on shining and cleaning everything to spot hidden problems (oil leaks, water drops, etc.). This step honors the 3rd 5S principle “The workplace and its items look brand-new.” Cleaning is part of everyone's job in the organization.
What is standardize in 5S? ›
Standardize, the fourth of the 5S's, involves putting the systems in place to ensure that everyone does things the same way. The methodology for Sorting needs to be standardized, the approach to Set in Order needs to be standardized, and Shine especially needs to be standardized.
What is sustain in 5S? ›
"Sustain" in the context of the 5S methodology refers to the fifth principle, emphasizing the need to maintain and continuously reinforce the standards established through the first four principles (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize).
What is 5S with an example? ›
5s Lean is a systematic approach aimed at optimizing workplace operations by reducing waste, improving efficiency, and creating an organized environment. The methodology derives its name from its core principles: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
What is 5S and why is it important? ›
5S is designed to decrease waste while optimizing productivity through maintaining an orderly workplace and using visual cues to attain more consistent operational results. 5S refers to five steps – sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain (also known as the 5 pillars of a visual workplace).
Sort: The first step in the 5S methodology is to sort. This step involves identifying the necessary items in your workspace and eliminating any excess or unnecessary items. This helps to reduce clutter, minimize distractions, and streamline the workspace.
How do we apply 5S in everyday life? ›
Applying 5S to Everyday Life
- Remove old clothes from your wardrobe that you no longer wear, to make it easier to choose from the clothes that you do wear (Sort)
- Always keep your keys in a standard place, preferably near the front door (Straighten)
- Wash the dishes regularly, rather than letting them pile up (Shine)
Some commonly used words describing the steps in 5S are Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize and Sustain.
What are the 5S stands for? ›
The 5S pillars, Sort (Seiri), Set in Order (Seiton), Shine (Seiso), Standardize (Seiketsu), and Sustain (sh*tsuke), provide a methodology for organizing, cleaning, developing, and sustaining a productive work environment.
Who is responsible for 5S? ›
Typically, employees are responsible for sorting, straightening, and cleaning, while managers are in charge of developing best practices that will make 5S a part of daily work routines.
What is sorting activity for 5S? ›
Sort, one of the 5S (sort, straighten, shine, standardize, sustain) activities, helps teams reinvent work areas by deciding which items are required for daily activities and relocating those items that are infrequently needed or not used in the work area.
What is 5S sort in Japanese? ›
5S is a workplace organisation method that uses a list of five Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seisō, seiketsu, and sh*tsuke. These have been translated as "sort", "set in order", "shine", "standardise" and "sustain".
What does 5S means in warehouse? ›
5S is a Japanese lean concept of warehouse organization and improvement based on 5 principles – sort, set, shine, standardize, and sustain – to create a “clean and organized” workplace/warehouse. The concepts help create a more organized and clean workspace for efficiency.
