Shorter, Simpler, Safer

5S – THE FIVE PILLARS OF AN EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE

1. What is 5S?
5S originated in the late 1950’s in Toyota, Japan, and has since been adopted by many western
organisations, across all sectors. The basic premise of 5S is that personnel who work in any
geographical area of the organisation (e.g. the development laboratory, the manufacturing area,
the upstairs offices, the reception foyer, the warehouse etc.), have responsibility for the layout,
workflow, cleanliness and safety of that area. 5S results in
 improved workflow
 a high standard of housekeeping
 higher performing equipment
 improved safety
 higher product quality
 greater productivity
 greater customer satisfaction and
 lower costs.

The title 5S is derived from 5 Japanese words that indicate a progressive approach to workplace
organisation, viz. Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke. These are most commonly translated
in English as
Sort
Set-in-Order
Shine
Standardise
Sustain

The 5S pillar principles are summarised in appendix A.

2. Three Day 5S Event - Learning Objective & Deliverables

At the end of this event participants will
(i) understand 5S objectives, methods and how to ensure sustained implementation, and
(ii) be enabled to implement and sustain 5S in their own workplace.

2.1 Workshop Preparation

In preparation for the event management team members must:
 understand and be prepared to participate actively as 5S team members in their own
areas;
 appointment of an appropriate 5S champion and 5S committee, and
 agree to establish a sustaining and recognition process for all areas.
In consultation with Cordatus, the client company will select a 5S champion, and a clearly defined
geographic area in the plant in which to conduct the initial 5S workshop/exercise. Cordatus will
advise the client on location selection, preparation for the event, and likely follow-up actions
required after the event to ensure success.

3. Who Should Attend?

All employees working in the selected pilot area should attend the training.

The Cordatus 5S implementation plan involves the facilitation of a 5S event is a selected area of
the organisation, over a three day period. All personnel in the area participate in the training, and
a selected subset actually work on the 5S transformation activities. Personnel within the
organisation who will have responsibility for 5S implementation (i.e. the committee) together with
potential 5S internal trainers, committee members and interested senior management team
members, to a maximum of 15 people

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3. 5S Event Timetable (3 days)

Day 1

08.30 Workshop/ preparation: Facilitator: Cordatus

 Intro to 5S, Sort, Set-in-order (theory & consultant
application)
 Preparation of all materials and personnel for Participants:
area exercise Workshop theory – all
11.00 Area exercise: personnel in area
 Division of area & personnel responsibilities
 Pink tags/sort exercise, removal of clutter, Area exercise – as many
disposition as possible personnel in
 Identification of set-in-order opportunities area, plus trainers &
17.00 Review of day’s activities. Plan for day 2 & close committee members (up
to 15 personnel)
Day 2

08.30 Workshop/preparation: Facilitators and

 Set-in-order & Shine (theory & application) participants as above
11.00 Area exercise:
 Complete set-in-order & shine in area
 Identify & post Set-in-Order & Shine action list
 Establish 5S communication area
17.00 Review of day’s activities. Plan for day 3 & close

Day 3

08.30 Workshop/preparation: Facilitators and

 Standardise (theory & application) participants as above
11.00 Area exercise:
 Complete standardise exercise
 Identify & post Standardise timetable
15.00 Debrief
 Review of 5S activities & preparation of
presentation for management team (MT) Senior management team
 Presentation by 5S team to SMT
 Next Steps
 Management commitment to changes
17.00  Next steps & close

Table 1. Cordatus 5S three day event

4. Sustaining the Effort - post workshop follow up - optional

Some days or weeks following the three-day workshop Cordatus will provide an optional extra
train the trainer half day workshop for personnel nominated to be 5S trainers in house (rough
guide is 1 trainer per 100 personnel), and guidance for the 5S committee. We will provide advice
on how to structure the training and implementation activities to derive best business benefit and
advice on pacing the programme such that employees embrace and welcome 5S, and participate
actively in the change process.

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Cordatus will also review the area in which 5S was initiated and make recommendations for
continued improvement if applicable. Cordatus will provide advice to ensure the “Standardise” and
“Sustain” elements are established to ensure lasting 5S success.
We will also provide ongoing support to the 5S site champion and committee as required.

5. Contact
Bernie Rushe, Cordatus Consulting, 29 The Waterfront, Gort Road, Loughrea, Co Galway
Tel: +353 91 870708, email: info@cordatus.ie, web: www.cordatus.ie

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 APPENDIX A: 5S Principles

The First Pillar: Sort

Principle: “The Workplace should be furnished with only exactly what is needed, in the
quantity in which it is needed, when it is needed - When in doubt get rid of it”

The Second Pillar: Set in Order

Principle: “A place for everything & everything in its place”

The Third Pillar: Shine

Principle: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”

The Fourth Pillar: Standardise

Principle: “It’s part of what we do every hour every day!”

The Fifth Pillar: Sustain

Principle: “Positive energy & effort is required to keep up the good work!”

APPENDIX B: The 5S Committee

The 5S committee responsibilities:

1. Develop & implement 5S plan, assign responsibilities in each area
2. Agree 5S sustaining mechanisms with local management (e.g. monthly sort time, quarterly
set-in-order workshop)
3. Ensure adequate 5S training resources are developed internally
4. Standardise internal 5S training materials & approach (video, benchmark areas)
5. Design an appropriate audit and scoring process
6. Conduct 5S audits by area, monthly, and publish results in area & on public notice board;
7. Meet monthly to review programme progress against plan, and take corrective action as
appropriate;
8. Address actions arising from audits, and
9. Recognise & reward 5S teams.

5S Committee - Tips for Success:

 Chair = site 5S leader
 Meet regularly (e.g. monthly) at same time in same room
 Appoint cross functional, multi level committee (e.g. operators, office admin personnel, lab
manager)
 Give everyone on the committee a definite job e.g.
- Select a secretary in advance and make sure that person is willing & briefed to
take all notes & follow up with committee members on action items
- Select personnel to update the notice boards in all areas
- Select personnel to design audit procedures by area & to run the committee
monthly audit process.
 Rotate members annually.

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