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The 5S Methodology

A Free Beginner’s Guide for Understanding and Applying the 5S Maintenance Procedures

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Doctrina Nam Laurus

(Learning for Success)

Set In Order (Seiton)

Overview

Set In Order is the second step in the 5S process. This task refers to the practice of creating efficient and effective storage methods for arranging items so that they are easy to use and to label them so that they are easy to find and store.

Set in Order can only be implemented after Sort has cleared the work area of unneeded items.

Set in Order means arranging the tools and equipment in an order that promotes work flow. Tools and equipment should be kept where they will be used and the process should be ordered in a manner that eliminates extra motion.

Preparing Storage Locations

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What do I need to do my job?
• Where should I locate this item?
• How many of this item do I need?

This optimised approach to organising your workplace requires a series of visual controls to be really effective. These can include:

• Shadow boards for tools and light weight equipment indicating where every item is stored and readily known if it is missing
• Painted lines on floors outlining work areas and other specific locations
• Modular shelving and cabinets with the space on them and in them purpose built for what they are required to store
• Open storage is preferred – only use doors when absolutely necessary
• Label all shelves and cabinets so that items stored in them is always easy to locate and can be returned to it’s correct storage location

Imagine how much easier and simpler a menial task like needing a broom would be if it was always stored in the same location. Spending ten minutes walking around asking other people if they knew where the broom was just so you could clean up something that was only going to take about 30 seconds, would be grossly inefficient.

Establishing Specific Locations for Items

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Why are items located where they are?
• Where should each item be?
• Are tools and equipment easy to see, easy to get and easy to return?

Frequently used items should be the most accessible. All items should be sequenced logically and in order of use with consideration given to reducing bending, stretching and excessive movement. Heavy items should have a permanent and convenient location or be fitted with wheels.

This orderly approach to arranging workplace items will contribute to you creating a consistent and more efficient way to carry out tasks because what you need will always be where you need it. This can help eliminate several types of waste, e.g:

• Your energy
• Excessive inventory
• Defective products
• Caused by unsafe conditions

If similar work areas were consistently organised in the same way, this approach to standardising the workplace would mean that you could perform tasks in another work area. You would find it just as easy to use as your own because you would immediately know where all the required items were stored and that they would be in good working order.

Organisation and design in the workplace promotes:

• Efficiency
• Safety
• Positive attitudes

Summary

The practice of Seiton can be succinctly described as:

• Keeping tools and equipment where they are used
• Ordering items to eliminate unnecessary motion
• Allocating locations for each item
• Labelling each location to identify what is stored there

The old adage of, a place for everything and everything in its place, can be readily applied to the practice of Seiton.

The next step is Shine.