Guidelines for Practicing 5S

In this section, the general guidelines for implementing 5S are provided. These guidelines were generated based upon actual examples collected from the field or literature. Therefore, to fully understand these principles, review them with examples may be needed.

Seiri - Housekeeping.
Seiton - Workplace Organization.
Seiso - Cleanup.
Seiketsu - Keep Cleanliness.

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Guidelines for Practicing Seiri

• Separate needed items from unneeded items.
• Remove unneeded items from working areas:
  • Items never used: discard.
  • Item not needed now: store them.
• Remove all excess items from working areas, including workpieces, supplies, personal items, tools, instruments, and equipment).
• Use red tag to get rid of unneeded items.
• Store items needed by most people in a common storage area.
• Assign a person to organize and manage the common storage area.
• Store items only needed by each individual in his/her own working area.
• Organize working / storage area.

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Guidelines for Practicing Seiton

Objectives:

• Needed items can be easily found, stored and retrieved.
• First-in first-out (FIFO).
• Save space and time.

Guidelines:

• A place for everything and everything in its place.
• Place tools and instructional manual close to the point of use.
• Design the storage areas such that the entrance is wider and the depth is shallower.
• Layout the storage area along the wall to save space.
• Place items such that they are facing toward passage for easily access.
• Store similar items together. Different items in separate rows.
• Don't stack items together. Use rack or shelf if possible.
• Use small bins to organize small items.
• Use color for quickly identifying items.
• Clearly label each item and its storage areas (lead to visibility).
• Use see-through cover or door for visibility.
• Use special designed cart to organize tools, jigs, measuring devices, etc., that are needed for each particular machine.

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Guidelines for Practicing Seiso

Objectives:

• Cleanliness ensures a more comfortable and safe working place.
• Cleanliness will lead to visibility so as to reduce search time.
• Cleanliness ensures a higher quality of work and products.

Guidelines:

• Use dust collecting covers or devices to prevent possible dirt or reduce the amount of dirt.
• Investigating the causes of dirtiness and implement a plan to eliminate the sources of dirt.
• Cover around cords, legs of machines and tables such that dirt can be easily and quickly removed.
• Operators clean their own equipment and working area and perform basic preventive maintenance.
• Keep everything clean for a constant state of readiness.

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Guidelines for Practicing Seiketsu

• Use dust collecting covers or devices to prevent possible dirt or reduce the amount of dirt.
• Investigating the causes of dirtiness and implement a plan to eliminate the sources of dirt.
• Cover around objects to prevent from dust.
• Keep everything clean for a constant state of readiness.

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Mail your comments to: Dr. Chao-Hsien Chu chu_c@iastate.edu