5S is the name of a workplace organization method that uses a list of five Japanese words: seiri,seiton,seiso,seiketsu, and shitsuke. Transliterated or translated into English, they all start with the letter “S”.[1] The list describes how to organize a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and storing the items used, maintaining the area and items, and sustaining the new order.[2] The decision-making process usually comes from a dialogue about standardization, which builds understanding among employees of how they should do the work.
5S is a basic, fundamental, systematic approach for productivity, quality and safety improvement in all types of business.What is 5S?
A 5S (Five S) program is usually a part of, and the key component of establishing a Visual Workplace and are both a part of Kaizen – a system of continual improvement – which is a component of lean manufacturing.The 5S program focuses on:
- having visual order
- organization
- cleanliness
- standardization
The results you can expect from a 5S program are: improved profitability,
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