Lean manufacturing 5S is a part of an overall lean manufacturing initiative. The goal of any production, manufacturing, or any business for that matter, should be to operate as lean as possible. And, one of the areas you can immediately address is the areas of organization and housecleaning. This is what the 5S refers to. So, let's look at exactly what is lean manufacturing 5S.
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.
Set is the next step. This means you will need to find a place for all of the tools needed for the job. Some examples of ways to accomplish this are through the use of a peg board or by using tape to outline where items should be. This ensures you have a place for them and people can notice when they are not there.
Now, you have the essential tools and a place for them, let's keep this area clean. This is where the Shine portion happens. And to ensure it happens all the time, elect a person to be in charge of the cleanliness of the area.
Standardization is the next step, and is a really important one. You have more than likely changed a bunch of stuff. This now means new standards, new procedures, and new processes. Also, this means employees getting trained again in this area. Ensure everyone is on the same page with what the company is after.
Lastly, and the most difficult one, is to sustain the area. You have built a good amount of momentum right now, so now is the best time to move to another area. Just be sure to hold the appointed people responsible for the cleanliness of the area accountable. This ensures you do not need to micro-manage the area, and can focus on the next area.
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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