Implementing a 5S system promotes safety, efficiency, and transparency.

To implement a 5S system, you need buy-in across the organization. One of the main benefits of 5S is improved communication between different departments and teams.

The 5S system can increase accountability and productivity, leading to better outcomes for the organization. It can also have a positive impact on the bottom line by identifying and addressing inefficiencies and bottlenecks, resulting in higher profits. Not only does 5S promote safety and efficiency, but also promotes transparency. 

5S refers to a methodology for workplace organization that originated in Japan and stands for Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain

Sort

Starting with “Sort” which encourages employees to eliminate what is not needed by separating tools or materials from unnecessary items at their workstation. For example, if you’re a packager and you don’t have a need for a pallet jack, then there is no pallet jack in your area. It’s all about consolidating and identifying what you require to do your job efficiently.

Set in Order

The second S stands for “Set in order.” Now that you have sorted your workspace, it’s time to create a specific space. Everything should have a designated spot, right? Right. That’s where color coding comes in to play. It isn’t just to look pretty - certain work areas can pose more hazards than others, and that needs to identifiable immediately. If you see striped caution tape on the ground, that indicates a live work area, so be aware near that space. 

Shine

Next comes “Shine”. This is a reminder to keep workspaces tidy and clean. A clean workspace can have many positive effects on the organization. Not only does the area look good, but it promotes safety.  

Standardize

After shine we have “Standardize”. All the above items need to become a habit and regular rotation. Commit to doing a walk through every week and checking that the 5S’ are still being maintained and carried out properly. 

Sustain

Lastly, “Sustain.” This is all about making 5S a way of life by forming habits and a strong culture.

“In order to have a successful process, you need to have good soil and a good foundation,” Wayne Hoshiyama, Sr. Quality Manager at Bron Aerotech said. “The constant maintenance in this process is creating that culture.”

A 5S communication board is a visual management tool that, when combined with a 5S system, is used to improve workplace organization and communication. The communication board is a physical board or display that is typically located in a common area of the workplace and is used to share important information with employees and team members.

The board typically contains a variety of visual aids, such as pictures, charts, graphs, and other information that can help employees understand important workplace processes and procedures.

For Bron Aerotech, the communication board includes a legend for various color-coded areas and a reminder on what the 5S system stands for.

By utilizing a mix of Gaffers and Vinyl tapes, the team was able to create visual indicators throughout the warehouse that correspond to the communication board. As an example, red is used to identify areas for fire safety and green identifies staged product ready to be shipped.

The implementation of a 5S system can be a valuable tool for any organization looking to improve customer satisfaction, communication, promote transparency, and increase profitability.