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Workplace Organisation
and the 5Ss
Author: Greig Sneddon,
Operations Manager
Seaborne Plastics Ltd,
Cranleigh,
Surrey

WHAT IS 5S?
Developed

by the Japanese

Workplace

Organisation and
Housekeeping System

Helps

Create a Better Working

Environment and a Consistently High
Quality Process

THE 5S PRINCIPLES
SEIRI

Organisation

SEITON
SEISO

Orderliness

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

Clear

labelling and routine maintenance

are essential disciplines

A clean

early

workplace highlights problems

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

Low

FREQUENCY OF USE

HOW TO USE

Less than once per year

Once per year

Throw away
Store away from
the workplace

Average At least 2/6 months

Once per month
Once per week
High

Once Per Day

Store together but

offline
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

Identify

and 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

Boiler
House,
Site, Car
park

Responsible
Person

Brian
Sutherland

Stockroom Kevin McEwen

Sales

Auditors: Audit to be carried out by

3rd week of each month by named
person and an assistant
July

Sept

Nov

Ronnie
Wilson

Linda
Johnstone

Neal
Robertson

Linda
Johnstone

Neal
Robertson

Brian
Sutherland

Sandra Collins Neal

Robertson

Brian
Helen
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
3
Housekeeping
Chemical
2
1
0
Storage & Handling
Fire
Machinery

Oct-99

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