How Does Lean Manufacturing 5S Help?
Michael Baker
One of the basic initiatives for any business looking to go lean will be 5S. This is the process of organizing and cleaning specific sections or work cells of a business to ensure the operate more efficiently. Let's look at exactly what the term lean manufacturing 5S consists of.
It is called 5S because it is made of words that all start with an S. Let's look at each one of the individually and see what needs to be done.
The first term is sort. This is a very basic process of pulling out everything from a work cell, or area, that is not needed. The goal is to operate with the bare minimum requirements to still get the job done efficiently.
In order to be organized, you need to have a place to set your tools. This is where the term Set comes in. Just by using some tape to outline a tool, or a peg board labeled with a tool name, can help show where the tools go or when tools are missing.
Shine will be next. This is a simple step in ensuring all of the tools in an area are cleaned and the actual area itself is also clean. Place a person in charge of this area to ensure this is happening.
When you see the term Standardize, it means to ensure the same process you laid out originally is done exactly the same with everyone. This could mean new procedures, or periodic reviews of the area. But it needs to be kept up.
To sustain this improvement, ensure you hold someone accountable for this and then move to the next area. You have built up some pretty good momentum, so don't lose it.
All businesses should at the minimum have a 5S initiative in their company. Everyone likes a clean area and likes to know what is expected of them. Lean manufacturing 5S can help with this.
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