What is 5S?

What is 5S?

5S creates the 

foundation for a visual 

work place

5S is a method of creating a self-sustaining culture which 

perpetuates a neat, clean, efficient workplace; a method for 

removing all excess materials and tools from the workplace and 

organizing the required items such that they are easy to find, use, 

and maintain.

It is all about having what you need to do your 

job when you need it; no more, no less!

Why implement 5S?

• Improves safetysafety and 

ergonomics

• Promotes flow

• Reduces searching

• Reduces unplanned downtime

• Improve quality

• Encourages visual control

• Enhances teamwork

• Improves productivity

• Eliminates distractions

• Reduces inventory and space

• Instills the discipline to follow 

standard work

• Exposes problems

• Tackles waste

• Enhances self-management

The 5Ss

 Sort (Seiri)(Seiri)

• No unnecessary items at the workplace: “When in doubt, throw it out!”

 Set in Order (Seiton)

• Anyone can instantly find, take, and return any needed item:“A place for 

everything, and everything in its place”

 Shine (Seiso)

• Deviations become visual by cleaning: “Cleaning = inspection; 

Cleaning with meaning”

 Standardize (Seiketsu)

• Visualize the 5S standards in the workplace: “Make the best way the 

easiest way”

 Sustain (Shitsuke)

• Everybody follows the standard until we have a better one:“Stick to it!”

Agenda

 5S

 What Is 5S?

• Sort

• Set in Order

• Shine

• Standardize

• Sustain

 5S Summary

Definition of Sort

 Sort means that you remove all items from the workplace 

that are not needed for current productionproduction or transactional 

operations

 It does not mean that you only remove the items that 

you know you may never need

 It does not mean that you simply arrange things in a 

neater fashion

ASK YOURSELF: 

Is this item necessary to do this job? 

Do we really need these items?

Examples of Sort

 Defective or excess unneeded items that accumulate

 Outdated or broken jigs and dies 

 Worn-out bits, inserts

 Outdated or broken tools or inspection equipment

 Old rags and other cleaning supplies

 Electrical tools/equipment with broken cords

 Outdated posters, signs, notices, and memos

When you sort, you only leave the bare 

essentials: “When in doubt, move it out.”

2)Set in Order...Simplefy

Definition of Set in Order…

Simplify

 Set in order means that you arrange the items that are 

needed in the area and identify them or label them so that 

ANYONE can find them or put them away

 “A place for everything, and everything in its place”

ASK YOURSELF:

Would a new person in this work area 

__know where this item belongs?

Benefits of Set in Order…

Simplify

 Person sent to find something, finds it easily

 Time spent looking for things is reduced

 Wrong parts are not retrieved in error

 Adequate space is allocated for storage of items

 Items have “their place” and not not left in walkways, etc.

Think of a pit crew at a NASCAR race--every item is positioned to error-proof 

and speed the process and to eliminate all wasted motion:

17 seconds to change 4 tires, fill the gas tank, wash the windows, 

and give the driver a drink.

Implementing Set in Order…

Simplify

 Store items together if they are used together, and store 

them in the sequence they are used.

 If tools are being set in order, design a system that keeps 

the tools in their location.

 Store infrequently used items away from the point of use.

THE KEY:

Look at the area as if you were brought into the area to help out. 

Would you be able to find & put things away immediately?

Definition of Shine

 Shine emphasizes removing the dirt, grime, and dust 

from the work area

 This is a program of keeping the work area swept and 

clean of debris

 Floors are swept, machinery is clean and wiped off and 

everything in the work area is kept clean

ASK YOURSELF: 

Are there items in the area that need to be clean

Benefits of Shine

 Defects are easier to see in a well-lit and clean environment

 A work area clean of debris is less likely to cause a tripping hazard

 Machines that are clean and maintained work more efficiently and 

break down less often

 A clean work area promotes improved morale and instills pride in 

the team members

The best time to find defects, dents, and scratches on your 

automobile is when you are hand washing it. Likewise, the best 

time to find defects and safety problems is when you are cleaning 

your work area.

Implementing Shine

 Determine the shine targets: what are we going to clean?

 Set a schedule and assign individuals

 Create procedures for continued daily shine processes

 Set periodic machine inspection and maintenance targets

THE KEY:

Do activities take place to prevent dirt, grime, and

contamination from occurring?

Definition of Standardize

 Creating a consistent way of implementing the tasks that 

are performed on a daily basis including “Sort,” “Set in 

Order,” and “Shine”

 “Do the right things the right way, every time!”

ASK YOURSELF:

Are the methods/processes in place to keep the first three Ss 

maintained and ongoing? 

Is 5S practiced throughout the day?

Benefits of Standardization

 Easier to train new employees

 Less room for errors and scrap

 Work area is more organized

 Work area is safer

Just like in our personal lives, if the rules are in writing 

and right in front of us, we are much more likely to 

understand and follow them, especially if they have our 

signature on them!

Implementing Standardization

 Integrate the benefits found through Sort, Set in Order, and Shine 

into the everyday work activity

 Make it a way of life

 It should be easily noticed when items are not in their place

 Keep it “visual”

 All 5S activities should be scheduled at the frequency rate necessary 

to maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work environment

THE KEY: 

Documentation exists to show how, where, and 

when 5S activities take place.

Definition of Sustain

 Sustain means that the 5S mentality is ingrained in 

everyday work life and procedures 

 Sustain means that the 5S program has a discipline that 

ensures its continued success

 Sustain involves making a habit of maintaining correct 

procedures

 Do not let 5S become another “flavor of the day”

ASK YOURSELF: 

Are things reverting back to the unorganized way they were?

Benefits of Sustain

 Cleaner, safer, working environment

 Detailed tasks are documented to make processes more 

efficient

 Work place is maintained in an organized fashion without 

clutter

 Tools and materials are easier to find

 Higher employee morale

Implementing Sustain

 Keep everyone aware of 5S and its benefits

 Make time each day to perform daily tasks

 Make it structured

 Give recognition where it is due

 Establish audit for 5S review

THE KEY: 

The first four Ss are solidly in place and being practiced daily.

Every day we do some 5S.

5S Summary

 5S is a process and method for creating and maintaining an 

organized, clean, and high performance workplace.

 5S enables anyone to distinguish between normal and 

abnormal conditions at a glance.

 5S is the foundation for continuous improvement, zero 

defects, cost reduction, and a safe work area.

 5S is a systematic way to improve the workplace, our 

processes, and our products through production line employee 

involvement.

5S Summary (cont.)

 5S is accomplished by following all of the steps. DO 

NOT SKIP A STEP.

 5S must become part of everyone's job.

 5S is a team-oriented process between the members of 

the work area.

 To review, some of the benefits of 5S include:

• Improved safety

• A clean, orderly workplace

• Improved efficiency

• Increased employee morale

• Standardized work methods

5S Summary (cont.)

Thank 

Sarfaraz Alam 

Planner