5-S For Cleaning

Keeping a work area clean is really a no brain-er and a good way to speed up production. It most likely with be called by different labels depending on where you are at, but for simplicity, lets call it 5S because it is a great organizational tool. Making this a part of everyone good habits will help keep everyone on the same page. Start with sorting. This will consist of sorting through the different works areas and cleaning house, so to speak. Anything out of place, unnecessary, obsolete in way form or fashion will have to go.

The second step is systematic organization. This means that you have to organize and identify everything that is left in each work are after sorting. Tools and supplies that are used frequently should be easily accessible and at hand. Each tool and material should also have a designated area just for it. Areas on the floor should be taped or painted to identify what are work areas and what are traffic areas.

Making the work areas and stations Shine require another cleaning process and is considered the third step of 5S. This should be done regularly regardless of inspections and surprise visits by company executives or new clients. Inspecting tools and machinery should also be part of this cleaning process. This will always keep everyone safe and producing at all expected performance levels.

The fourth step in the process is to simplify and standardize. Everybody should be doing things the same way in order to accomplish this process and also it is time to look at how the parts fit together. Find out what works best and make those the standards. This way nobody can slip back into bad, old habits. Find out what works best and use that throughout the plant and company. The best way to standardize is to try what works best in different areas of the business.

Sustain is step five. This step insists that training of employees be continued which in turn will keep the process strong, moving and changing. Tweaking is also a fancy word for changing when and where changes need to occur. All this makes for a easier, simpler and better process and product. Without the continued training and improvements the process will be less successful . A team effort is very effective in making everything successful.

Six sigma training can help any business wonderfully. Your staff can learn Lean six sigma and a lot more to make huge changes in your company.