5 S CONCEPT

The 5 S concept addresses each and every

employee in our organisation and the workplace
itself.
The concept has been formed by Japanese
using very simple ideas.
Implementation of 5 S concept is essential for
a successful approach towards Total Quality
Management.
It is hoped that individuals adopt this concept
not only at work but in personal and domestic life
also.

FIVE JAPANESE WORDS

SEIRI

SORTING(SORTING OUT)

SEITON

SYSTEMATISING(SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT)
SWEEPING(SPIC & SPAN )

SEISOH
SEIKETSU
SHITSUKE

SANITIZING(STANDAR DISATION)
SELF DISCIPLINING (SELF DISCIPLINE)

ALTHOUGH
VERY
SIMPLE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 5-S
SEVERAL ADVANTAGES, SUCH AS:

AND
BASIC,
CONCEPT HAS

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT
POLLUTION PREVENTION
COST REDUCTION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
DOWN-TIME PREVENTION
MORALE IMPROVEMENT
CREATIVITY IMPROVEMENT
WORK ENVIRONMENT/ATMOSPHERE
IMPROVEMENT

IMPLEMENTATION
OF
THE
5-S
CONCEPT
REQUIRES
PARTICIPATION OF EVERYBODY - FROM TOP MANAGEMENT TO
THE SHOP FLOOR WORKERS. HOWEVER, RESPONSIBILITY FOR
COMPANY-WIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF 5-S LIES SOLELY WITH
THE
TOP
MANAGEMENT
OF
COURSE,
THE
MIDDLE
MANAGEMENT ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE IN SO FAR AS
EXECUTING THE GOALS SET BY THE TOP MANAGEMENT ARE
CONCERNED.

1. SORTING (SEIRI)
LITERALLY SORTING MEANS ARRANGING OR SEPARATING
INTO GRACES, KINDS OF SIZES. HOWEVER, IN THE CONTEXT
OF THE 5-S CONCEPT THE INTENT IS TO SORT THE
UNNECESSARY ITEMS, REPORTS, PARTS ETC. AND DISPOSE
THEM OFF (OR REWORK THEM).
THERE ARE SEVERAL
ADVANTAGES OF SORTING, INCLUDING: SPACE CREATED FOR USEFUL WORK
ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE TOOLS, CABINETS, SHELVES ETC.
SEARCH TIME REDUCED.

2. SYSTEMATIZING (SEITON)
METHODICAL ARRANGEMENT OF ITEMS IS SYSTEMATISING. AS
PART OF THE 5-S, SYSTEMATISING REQUIRES THAT THE ITEMS
BE PLACED IN PREFIXED LOCATIONS IN AN ORDERLY FASHION
SO THAT THEY ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR ANYONE WHO
MAY HAVE A NEED TO USE THOSE ITEMS AT ANY ITME. CLEAR
IDENTIFICATION OF ITEMS IS ALSO NECESSARY.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE SYSTEMATIZING FOLLOS THE ONE IS
THE BEST CONCEPT FOR EXAMPLE:
ONE TOOL ONE FORMAT ONE MACHINE, ONE FILE ETC.
ONE HOUR MEETING
ONE PAGE REPORT
ONE DAY ACTION ETC.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
SYSTEMATISING:

USE A SINGLE NOMENCLATURE TO IDENTIFY ITEM.

DETERMINE WHERE TO LOCATE THE ITEMS - ONE ITEM

IN ONE LOCATION.

DETERMINE HOW TO STORE, KEEPING IN MIND THAT IT

SHOULD BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND RETURNABLE TO

THE ORIGINAL LOCATION.

USE VISIBLE LABELLING (OR COLOUR CODING)

EDUCATE CONCERNED EMPLOYEES FOR UNDER STANDING.

3. SWEEPING (SEISOH)
DEFINED AS ELIMINATING ANY DIRT/DUST IN THE WORK PLACE
AND TO SUSTAIN NON-SMEAR/STAIN/DIRTY CONDITIONS. IT IS
SUGGESTED THAT ONE ESTABLISH ONES OWN DAILY AND
PERIODIC SWEEPING SCHEDULES.

4. SANITIZING (SEIKETSU)
AS

PART

OF

THE

5-S

CONCEPT,

SANITIZING

MEANS

CONTINUOUSLY IMPLEMENTING SORTING, SYSTEMATISING

AND SWEEPING ACTION, AND TO CONSISTENTLY SUSTAIN
SUCH ACTIONS UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS.
WHEN

SATISFACTORY

SORTING,

SWEEPING

THUS,
AND

SYSTEMATIZING ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED AT A WORK AREA,

THAT AREA IS CONSIDERED TO BE WELL SANITIZED.

5. SELF DISCIPLINING (SHITSUKE)

THE INTENT IS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE WELL
DISCIPLINED ENOUGH TO FOLLOW RULES STRICTLY
AND TO MAINTAIN STANDARDS WHILE WORKING. IT
INCLUDES SUCH SIMPLE, BUT IMPORTANT THINGS AS
REACHING ON
ETC.
TO HELP EVERYONE MOVE TOWARDS SELF
DISCIPLINING, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT: OPERATING STANDARDS TO BE FOLLOWED BY
EVERY EMPLOYEE BE ESTABLISHED.
INSTRUCTIONS BE PREPARED WHICH ARE EASILY
CONVEYED AND SIMPLE UNDERSTAND/FOLLOW.
PERIODIC CHECKS BE CONDUCTED AND ANY
VARIATIONS FROM STANDARDS CORRECTED.
T0 FOLLOW THE 5-S PROGRAMME WITHIN AN
ORGANISATION, THE SET OF ACTIONS AS INDICATED
IN THE DIAGRAM ARE SUGGESTED

IDENTIFY PRESENT STATUS UNDER 5S CONCEPT

IDENTIFY WEAKNESSES AT WORK PLACE
HOW UNTIDY
HOW MUCH DISORDERLY
HOW DIRTY
HOW MESSY
HOW SMEARED/RUSTED
HOW FOUL SMELLING
HOW NASTY
IDENTIFY AND ISOLATE ROOT CAUSES
DETERMINE HOW TO CORRECT
ESTABLISH REMEDIAL ACTIONS
ESTABLISH RECURRENT PREVENTIVE ACTIONS
ASSIGN INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS
RECOGNISE OWN RESPONSIBILITIES
IMPLEMENT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
VERIFY IF ACTIONS ARE EFFECTIVE
IF NO, LOOK FOR BETTER IDEAS