The principles of 5S / Lean minimize waste and emphasize efficient workflows. Learn more about this workplace approach and how to implement 5S on your construction sites.

What Are the 5S Lean Principles?

The 5S approach prioritizes order and efficiency in the workplace. The term 5S refers to the strategy’s five components, which all start with the letter “s” — sort, straighten, shine, standardize and sustain. The 5S approach originated in Japan as part of the Toyota production system.

5S lean principles eliminate waste and keep operations as lean as possible. It encourages employees to use limited materials and equipment only when necessary. The fewer materials you use, the cleaner your workplace becomes. In addition to physical trash, waste can take on many forms, including:

• Product defects
• Wasted time
• Under-utilized workers
• Extra workflow steps

5S principles can increase organization and efficiency in construction sites and other applications. Disorganized or excessive tools or machines impede productivity and decrease safety. By implementing 5S lean principles, you keep your construction workplace as efficient and secure as possible.

Learning more about each principle helps you apply them in your workplace. Here’s a closer look at each 5S principle:

1. Sort

The first step helps you determine the necessary materials for your workplace. You sort through equipment, resources and workflows and identify what benefits or limits your efficiency. Then, you move materials with limited applications to designated storage areas or dispose of them. This practice creates a lean work environment.

The most important materials to keep in immediate reach are the ones you use daily. For instance, you might keep a piece of equipment on the floor that is only useful for rare tasks. To free up more space in your work area, you could move the component to storage.

2. Straighten

This stage focuses on organization. After you sort materials, identify a designated space for each of them and arrange them without clutter. You can straighten your immediate work floor and storage spaces for comprehensive decluttering. Organized spaces make it easy for workers to find materials, which boosts efficiency.

3. Shine

After you organize your materials, clean them regularly. Consistent cleaning increases safety and improves your workplace’s appearance. Many sites clean as they work, minimizing large messes later. Excessive dirt can cause corrosion or damage that restricts machine function, which could lead to costly repairs later.

With regular cleaning, you can prevent dirt and debris from accumulating on equipment and other resources, which can increase the tool’s life span.

4. Standardize

Next, you develop rules and standards to maintain cleaning and organization practices. You can integrate the standards into your workflows and explain them during employee training, which ensures all workers understand the expectations. Standardized procedures are easier to follow because they provide a routine way to complete tasks.

5. Sustain

The final principle prioritizes self-discipline so workplaces can maintain the 5S principles in daily operations. Sustaining regular organization and cleaning can be a large transition, and it becomes harder without consistency. As you try various implementation techniques, explore which strategies work and which ones don’t. Find techniques that work for your workplace environment and employee needs, then stay with them.

Why Are 5S Principles Important In Construction?

5S principles benefit construction sites and other workplaces in many ways, including:

• Increased safety: Cleaner and more organized work sites are easier for workers to navigate. Construction sites face many hazards, from chemical exposures to equipment malfunctions. By implementing the 5S method, you remove hazards that occur due to disorganization. For instance, after cleaning and organizing your tools, you significantly reduce the possibility of a worker tripping over a stray component.
• Improved work environment: The construction industry is facing a critical worker shortage, with millions of employees leaving since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Many employees left the industry to find better pay and improved work conditions. The 5S principles help you establish a safer and cleaner environment. The enhanced conditions can convince more workers to stay or apply to your site. The more workers you have, the more efficient your organization becomes.
• Reduced waste: 5S in construction also decreases your waste production. By identifying materials and processes you don’t use, you minimize waste in all workflows. These techniques reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact.

How to Implement 5S Principles

The most effective way to implement 5S principles is with thorough training and standardized procedures. You can develop specific 5S action plans to address these needs. It’s best to tailor your 5S approach to the unique needs of your workplace — that way, you can gain the most benefits possible.

These are three steps to get started with 5S implementation in construction:

1. Identify Efficiency Issues

You can start by evaluating your workflows and materials and determining areas of improvement. Consider your organization’s current issues and how the 5S strategy could resolve them. A great way to identify inefficiencies is by mapping out your workflows from start to finish. Determine what tools, resources and processes you need for each step. If you notice procedures or materials that reduce productivity, consider how 5S could benefit them.

For example, you might notice a particular workflow step takes more time than others. By sorting, straightening, shining, standardizing and sustaining, you could improve its efficiency.

2. Determine a Budget and Timeline

As you determine processes and materials that benefit from 5S approaches, consider your available resources and time to implement them. To sustain 5S in construction, you need proper amounts of training and time. Determine your budget and availability to initiate and explain the new standards.

In addition, it helps to develop an implementation timeline. The more specific your goals are, the better you can track your progress. For example, you might set dates for training or when you hope to have all five steps integrated into your operations. Once you reach those dates, you can view your progress and adjust approaches as necessary.

3. Create a Checklist for Each 5S Step

Lastly, you can build a checklist for each 5S step according to your workplace’s needs. Write down how you can sort, straighten, shine, standardize and sustain each area of inefficiency. This checklist provides a basis for future training and standardization purposes. Remember that a 5S construction implementation requires trial and error — a continuous improvement mindset helps your organization adjust operations to get better with each try.

Adopt 5S Principles to Keep Construction Operations Lean

The 5S principles create safe, more efficient work environments. With proper implementation, these practices can boost productivity, minimize waste and enhance output.

Construction & 5S Resources:

• Safety Tips for Nighttime Construction
• 6 Smart Tips to Reduce Waste on Your Construction Site
• Top Causes of Back Injuries in Construction
• Browse 5S solutions at ComplianceSigns.com
• Browse construction safety signs and labels

The post How to Implement 5S Lean Principles on Your Construction Sites appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

In moments like these, the urgency to locate tools quickly can be a matter of safety, and the inability to do so can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. This is where the true value of our MOBILE Clean & Sweep Shadow Boards shines, providing a practical and efficient solution to avoid such frustrating and hazardous scenarios.

Mobile Shadow Boards: The Answer for Your Industry

At ComplianceSigns.com, we’re all about keeping things organized, efficient, and most importantly, safe! That’s why we’re super stoked to introduce our brand-new MOBILE Clean & Sweep Shadow Boards. Mobile shadow boards are portable, compact, and organized systems for managing tools and equipment. They use shadows to outline the shape of each item, making it easy to identify missing tools and maintain a clean workspace. These boards are mobile, allowing them to be moved to different locations, making them ideal for industries that require tool transportation

Mobile shadow boards designed to make your life easier, no matter what industry you’re in. Let’s take a closer look at how various industries can benefit from using these nifty tools.

Manufacturing Marvels

In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, every second counts. Our MOBILE Clean & Sweep Shadow Boards can be a game-changer for production lines and workshops. With easily accessible tools and a well-organized layout, your team can bid farewell to wasted time searching for equipment. Plus, these boards are available in various materials to match your environment, ensuring they’re tough enough to withstand the hustle and bustle of manufacturing.

Air Transportation

When it comes to air transportation, safety is paramount. Whether it’s on the tarmac or inside the aircraft, having tools readily available is a must. Our MOBILE Shadow Boards provide a maneuverable solution that is perfect for basic maintenance and janitorial usage around airports. Imagine having all your essential tools on hand without the need to trek back and forth. Cool, right?

Food Service

From fast-food joints to fancy restaurants, the food service industry can get pretty hectic. Keeping things spick and span is crucial for maintaining a hygienic and efficient kitchen. Our MOBILE Clean & Sweep Shadow Boards offer a practical way to organize cleaning tools and supplies, reducing physical stress and making cleaning a breeze. So, say goodbye to the chaotic clutter and hello to a more streamlined kitchen.

Healthcare Heroes

In hospitals and medical facilities, quick response times can be a matter of life and death. That’s where our MOBILE Shadow Boards step in. Equipped with the tools you need at the point of use, these boards promote efficiency and accessibility. No more running around searching for medical equipment during emergencies. We’re proud to be part of the solution that keeps our healthcare heroes on top of their game.

Educational Institutions

Schools and universities are hubs of knowledge and learning, but they can also be home to quite the collection of tools and equipment. Our MOBILE Clean & Sweep Shadow Boards offer a space-saving and aesthetic solution to keep everything in order. Teachers, students, and maintenance staff alike will appreciate the ease of access and tidiness these boards bring to the learning environment.

Construction Champions

The construction industry is all about heavy lifting and hard work. With our MOBILE Shadow Boards, you can ensure that the right tools are always within arm’s reach. No more trudging back and forth to the toolshed, wasting precious time. Stay organized, stay efficient, and stay safe on the construction site.

Retail Wonders

Even in the retail world, having a well-organized workspace is vital. Our MOBILE Clean & Sweep Shadow Boards offer a visually appealing way to store and display tools, making it easier for your team to find what they need. From stockrooms to the shop floor, these boards can help retailers keep their spaces neat and tidy.

Customizable Shadow Boards for Business

At ComplianceSigns.com, we understand that every business is unique, with its own specific needs and requirements. That’s why we offer the option of customizing a MOBILE Clean & Sweep Shadow Board tailored exclusively for your business. Imagine having a shadow board that not only organizes your tools but also reflects your brand’s identity with your logo and colors front and center. You get to choose from a variety of materials to match your workspace, ensuring durability and longevity.

Plus, our user-friendly customization process allows you to select the tools that are essential for your operations, making sure you have everything you need at your fingertips. Whether it’s for manufacturing, air transportation, food service, healthcare, or any other industry, our custom MOBILE Shadow Boards guarantee a seamless and efficient experience that aligns perfectly with your business’s unique requirements. Don’t settle for one-size-fits-all solutions; let us help you create a tailor-made shadow board that embodies the essence of your business and enhances productivity like never before.

Get Organized for Safety’s Sake!

At ComplianceSigns.com, our mission is to provide world-class customer care and leading-edge product innovation to support your workplace safety solutions. With these mobile shadow boards, we’re taking safety and efficiency to the next level. So, why wait? Get your MOBILE Shadow Board today and experience the game-changing benefits for yourself!

Check all our 5S Tool Shadow Boards here. Stay safe, stay organized, and keep rocking in your industry!

The post What Industries Can Benefit the Most from Using Mobile Shadow Boards? appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

Here’s more about kaizen and its many advantages. 

What Is Kaizen?

Kaizen is a key element of lean manufacturing, a management-based approach focusing on reducing waste while maximizing value. The word “kaizen” means “change for the better” in Japanese and is partially attributed to the ideas of automobile workers and adopted by Eiji Toyoda of the Toyota company. 

There are six areas to focus on when transforming a manufacturing process to kaizen. 

1. Waiting: Try to avoid equipment and procurement delays. 
2. Motion: Avoid any unnecessary physical or mental strain on workers. 
3. Transportation: Move the materials to the right location the first time. 
4. Inventory: Properly store equipment and materials for the next activity. 
5. Defect: Try to avoid having to redo work or processing due to human error or technicalities. 
6. Intellect: Don’t waste valuable human resources on meaningless tasks. Assign workers to areas that best suit them. 

There are several steps to improve in each area and achieve kaizen manufacturing. The following is necessary when working toward lean manufacturing. 

Find Areas of Improvement

Which of the six points can a company focus on? Are workers under stress due to poor schedules or unfair work distribution? How is transportation? Watch how often equipment is moved and the reasons for it. Are there any unnecessary stops or processes that are correctable?

Is there proper organization of materials? Is the manufacturing process smooth, or are there bumps to correct?

Once the needed improvements are identified, a more thorough analysis can occur. Speaking to workers and reviewing documentation can help determine where things are going wrong. 

Come up With New Ideas

After identifying improvement areas, develop strategies to improve the process. 

To do this, hold brainstorming sessions with employees to get different perspectives and gather as many ideas as possible. Encourage honesty and creativity. Those directly involved in the manufacturing process know it the best.

After several of these sessions, compile the best ideas and work to implement them into the lean manufacturing process. 

Develop an Implementation Plan

As exciting as it is to have new ideas to implement, it’s vital to avoid wasting time with trial and error. Cycle analysis and workflow diagrams are necessary before adding these new strategies into the process. 

Consider how much time it will take to train employees on the new process to implement it smoothly. Maintenance is also vital, as broken or neglected equipment can lead to wasted time. 

Also, consider the potential problems that could arise during the implementation and plan how to handle them. Ensure that whatever changes will improve the quality of the completed work. 

Assign Responsibilities Appropriately

Companies that know what changes to implement should determine who is most fit to complete each task and assign them appropriately. 

Each employee should be given the task best suited to their needs. Top-quality products are delivered when talent is in the right place. 

Implement the Kaizen Plan

It’s also kaizen to distribute the workload fairly to reduce mental strain on employees. Health and safety are crucial for their well-being, and employees must learn how to handle the physical and psychological stress they may face when transitioning to the new process. 

Communication and accountability are a large part of keeping a positive and safe environment in all areas of the manufacturing process. Quality checks and reviews should be regularly conducted to ensure the plan is implemented per the standards set. 

Conduct a Plan Evaluation

Once the lean manufacturing process is in place, companies should evaluate whether the plan is as beneficial as hoped. Track data throughout implementation to verify that every aspect of the new procedures is performed correctly by reducing waste while improving quality. 

While evaluating, rely on an old-school pros and cons list to see whether each new part of the process is worth keeping versus what needs to be changed. 

It’s simple to assume that the hard work completed during the planning and training process ensures a successful program. However, it’s never evident that the techniques will work until they are actually in place. 

Implementing Kaizen in Manufacturing 

The kaizen approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating extraneous tasks that hold companies back. There’s a reason lean manufacturing is catching on. It helps businesses accomplish more while keeping a fair and positive workplace.

About the Author:
Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated, a web magazine for real estate and construction professionals.

The post What Does Kaizen Mean? Guide to Lean Manufacturing appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

The 5S process allows you to transform workplace behavior for the better through a step-by-step process. The 5S mindset is summarized as follows: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain. With these core principles, you can reduce waste, maximize labor efficiency, and reliably increase your profit margins each quarter.

What Is 5S Visual Management?

According to the Lean Masters Consulting Group:

“5S or Visual Management is the use of techniques that will enable a person to immediately recognize normal and abnormal states in a process. This technique helps an organization examine the workplace and identify irregularities for easy elimination of waste and improving safety.”

Visual Management Explained

In other words, 5S visual management is a system that quickly shows the current status. It may be production or delivery status, quality standards, machine status or even what tools are missing. There are indicators in place to let everyone know how things are tracking. 

Visual Management Examples

What does this look like? A few examples of visual management tools include labels, shadow boards, floor markings, red tags and management or KPI boards.

Visual Managemnt Examples

Labels

These may be date stickers on perishable products or signage for organizing drawers and shelves. Consider options such as adhesive labels or pre-printed circles.

Shadowboards 

These brightly-colored tool storage boards have “shadows” behind each tool so that any absence is obvious. The silhouettes make it easy to see what’s missing – and where to replace a tool when a worker is done using it.

Floor Markings 

Use floor tape to indicate hazard areas, storage zones or walking lanes. These markings are also useful for showing where to store pallets, finished goods, and raw materials.

Red Tags 

Accomplish the “Sort” step of 5S by identifying which objects need to be removed, recycled, or relocated. Place a red tag on any object that may be redundant.

Site Boards 

Whiteboards are an ideal tool for sharing information about daily operations, as well as progress toward short- and long-term goals. Common examples include:

• Project status boards that indicate progress toward a goal
• 5S boards to track audits and 5S activities 
• Daily Management boards to communicate with varied shifts and departments
• Improvement boards that share machine status, output and problems

These boards can be set up using whiteboard tape, custom overlays, indicator magnets or magnetic document holders. This is one of the main purposes of visual management – to share information succinctly.

Why Visual Management Tools Are Important

Visual management in the workplace demonstrates its value by achieving cost-reduction goals, eliminating waste, increasing safety, and reducing accidents and injuries. A study from Louisiana State University concluded that 5S aids the manufacturing climate by reducing lead time by 16%, recovering 22% of unused floor space, and reducing excess inventory by 36%.

Reducing Costs

By identifying expensive processes through systematic signage, it becomes easy to detect and fix problems quickly.

Eliminating Waste

In the 5S system, if something does not benefit the customer, it should be eliminated. The visual management process helps identify waste in the form of poorly-organized workspaces, excess void-fill in packaging, and product defects.

Increasing Safety

When clutter is reduced and workplaces are routinely cleaned and inspected, safety risks drop considerably. Boxes and equipment no longer block exits, wrong tools for the job are no longer being used, and potential hazards are eliminated before they cause a problem.

Presenting Visual Management to Your Team 

To be effective, visual management products have to be seamlessly embedded into the fabric of the company culture.

Let Employees Be Interactive in Finding Problem Areas

Instead of listing what the problems are during a meeting, empower team leads to facilitate a shared exploration of the working environment. Invite all team members to identify objects that need to be eliminated, processes that could be improved, or risk areas for safety.

Develop Criteria for 5S Management

Work collaboratively to answer essential questions that will drive decision-making. Encourage your employees to generate questions like the ones developed by consulting group iSixSigma:

• Is this item needed?
• If it is needed, is it needed in this quantity?
• If it is needed, how frequently is it used?
• If it is needed, should it be located here?
• Who is ultimately responsible for the item? (Verify from that person.)
• Are there any other not-needed items cluttering the workplace?
• Are there tools or materials left on the floor?

Assign Certain Employees 5S Responsibilities

Decide who is ready to take on added responsibilities. The people you choose will be expected to internalize visual management in the office and become a role model to other employees. Responsibilities could include red-tagging items, taping off sections of the floor, or creating labels for their workstation.

Collaborate on Problem Areas in Efficiency

Ask your employees what they notice about efficiency in their department. Avoid the temptation to simply rely on the team leads and management. Invite the perspective of all employees, and you might be surprised at the results you get.

Create a Plan With the Team

One reason why 5S processes sometimes fail is that for many employees, it feels like just another “top-down” management initiative. If there is no buy-in, there is no benefit. Have intentional conversations at the department level about what possible plans could look like. Empower team leads to solicit input from all of their team members.

Collaborate on Cleanliness 

One thing that everyone can do, regardless of job description, is routinely clean their workstations and their machines. Clean as you go, rather than waiting for the end-of-day clean-up crew to do it all. Guard against the tendency to adopt the attitude of “that’s not my job.” We are all in this together.

Management and leadership should be role models in showing what it looks like to spot-check and beautify equipment and work areas. Leading by example goes a long way toward effective collaboration.

Create a Chart and Distribute Tasks Evenly

Equitable, transparent work arrangements help secure buy-in and loyalty from your team. Create a visual anchor chart for everyone to see who’s doing what, and how the work is distributed on a rotating basis. Everyone should have the chance to do any part of the 5s process that is appropriate for their job description. The chart can also be created digitally (view-only) so that all employees can have access to it wherever they are.

Encourage Regular Individual and Company Audits

All employees should grow toward being independent and self-reflective as a habit of mind. Individuals should be encouraged to regularly assess how well they are doing with 5s, considering their strengths and contributions as well as their growth areas.

The company should consider formal accountability audits as well. There should be a specialized task force or team trained for this purpose. This ensures that an objective viewpoint is readily balanced with the individual expectation of accountability. Trust, but verify.

How to Set Up 5S Visual Management Boards

Visual management boards are an essential visual tool for all employees to use as a reference point, especially when 5S is new.

What Is It?

A visual management board breaks down each of the 5S steps for all to see and creates a progress tracker to show results over time.

Make It Interactive 

Place a board in a fixed space and allows employees to contribute their questions, comments, and suggestions. If your management board is on an easel or chart paper, employees could attach their own sticky notes on the white space around the chart. If the chart is on a dry-erase board, employees from different departments could be assigned their own color to use for commentary.

Make It Accessible

Charts can also be done digitally, with the ability to comment on collaborative documents, calendars, and slide shows. Ensure that everyone can view or visit the location of the chart. Invite employees of all levels and abilities to discuss the chart and offer suggestions regularly. It doesn’t have to be beautiful, it just needs to be well-organized and useful.

Proper Ways To Implement

Consider these tried-and-true implementation strategies from TXM Lean Solutions:

• Make sure the team knows it’s their board, not just a corporate initiative
• Have conversations about the board regularly 
• Keep the boards accessible and near where the work is being done
• Focus on practicality, not aesthetics
• Allow the boards to be customizable for employee engagement 

Closing Thoughts

Visual management and 5S offer benefits to employees, management, owners and shareholders. Productivity increases, product quality is assured, and the workplace becomes safer and more efficient. Employee satisfaction and morale improve because roles are defined, machines and equipment are clean, and the working space is more organized. Members of management appreciate 5S because it is measurable and many of the roles and responsibilities can be delegated to team members. 

Learn more:

• KPI Boards: Why are businesses better with them in place?
• 5S Color-Coding and Visual Standards
• 5S and Lean manufacturing organizations
• Browse Visual Management Tools at ComplianceSigns.com

The post Benefits of 5S Visual Management in the Workplace appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

Our world is increasingly more visual and dependent on effective communication. Studies show 90 percent of the information transmitted to the brain is visual. Visualization works because we respond to and process visual data better than any other type of information.

Investing in a visual workplace is the foundation of any safe and efficient business. Safety posters need to have clear, concise, and effective messages in the workplace. Here are four other ways your business will benefit by ‘getting visual.’

1. Improving Company Morale. No one likes a broken record. So don’t sound like one. With a visual workplace, you don’t have to repeatedly tell your employees about instructions or directions. Show them what you’d normally tell them.
2. Increase Productivity. The average worker spends 30% of his/her day searching, looking for tools and materials, or wondering what to do next. There is so much time wasted due to lack of order. Increase the productivity in your workplace with motivational messages and smart work practices.
3. Enhance safety. Safety-oriented practices include standardized procedures and workflows that reduce the number of injuries in the workplace. Ensure your workers are safe and informed with eye-capturing posters placed in high traffic areas.  Remember, too many safety posters placed together could become an eyesore.
4. Make Housekeeping Easier. By nature a visual workplace creates organized spaces that make housekeeping an easier task for everyone. When others know safety procedures, smart practices, and corporate information in high traffic industries like hospitality, hotel, food processing facilities, and office work environments, they’re safer and more effective.

The post Are You Ready to Get Visual? appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

Is your company on track to meet its goals this year? If you’re like most companies, you’re probably still struggling to regain your momentum after the upheavals of 2020. You may be looking at what you can cut, add, or tweak to ensure that this year is a success. 

The good news is, as a 5S-practicing company, you have what you need to end the year on a high note. 5S employs many tools that can help you get back on track, but none are more essential to sustainable success than the 5S team.

The 5S team is directly responsible for fostering a company culture that champions continuous improvement.

Members of the 5S team serve as examples for 5S standards. They are guides for the 5S process and ensure employees receive valuable 5S training.

More specifically, the 5S team:

• Drives: It provides the momentum for and supports 5S implementation.
• Teaches: It educates and coaches employees.
• Sets the bar: It sets 5S standards across the company and coaches along the way.
• Provides checks and balances: It supports 5S audit activity.
• Defines: It helps to define 5S materials (for 5S training, implementation, and maintenance).
• Amplifies: It helps to communicate (and celebrate!) 5S progress.

The 5S team plays a vital role in the effectiveness of your 5S initiative. So, strengthening your 5S team means strengthening your company.

How do you assess how well your 5S team is functioning? Consider these questions:

• Is your 5S team actively working to maintain forward momentum and progress in the company? 
• Is your workforce well-informed of 5S standards and processes? 
• Are employees engaged in paths toward continuous improvement?

If your answer to any of these questions is a no, don’t worry! You’re not alone.

A recent survey of 5S-practicing companies shows that many of them put 5S on the back-burner this past year. Yet our report also shows that 5S practices specifically address the issues brought up by our recent crisis by focusing on eliminating waste and doing more with less.

5S Team Motivation

By revitalizing your 5S program and strengthening your 5S team, you will be on track to end the year by meeting or exceeding your goals.

Your 5S initiative could be struggling right now for many reasons. Maybe there is no enforced strategy for assigning responsibilities, resources, or timelines. Or all the tasks required to sustain 5S have been placed on the shoulders of the 5S lead. Maybe employees haven’t bought into the 5S standards because the 5S team has not set up a system of accountability. 

Whatever the reason, our 5S team implementation guide can help you shore up points of weakness and revive your 5S program.

Use these tips to strengthen your 5S team:

Divide up team responsibilities

The 5S program is too complex for one person to implement and sustain. If you are not sure how to break up the responsibilities, consider using S.O.A.R. to know what to focus on.

Give your 5S team a facelift

Avoid talent waste by recruiting new members regularly. New members offer fresh perspectives, and changing out the members brings more people on board with the 5S standards. Ensuring that employees feel valued and involved empowers them to make meaningful change.

Your 5S team should consist of employees from all areas affected by 5S implementation. Including people from all aspects of the workplace helps ensure communication and maintenance of 5S standards across the board. It also helps to generate buy-in and support.

The 5S lead oversees the entire 5S initiative, but also be sure to include representatives from:

• Safety, to ensure that safety is always at the forefront of changes being made.
• Facilities, to support equipment movement, painting walls and equipment, hanging signage from ceilings, floor prep, etc.
• Department managers, to keep departments engaged by making 5S part of the daily routine.
• Group leads, to hold department members accountable and lead by example by practicing 5S daily – vital to 5S success!
• Front line workers, to ensure they have a voice and are involved, which helps to build support for the 5S initiative.
• Human Resources, to ensure the onboarding process includes 5S training and to support company-wide behavioral change.

Conduct a baseline 5S audit

Get a good picture of your company at this moment so that you can identify areas of weakness and accurately measure improvement. The purpose here is not to get people in trouble. Rather, focus on how things can be improved. Most importantly, talk to employees and listen to their feedback and ideas. Click here for tips on conducting useful 5S audits. 

Hold regular team meetings.

A set schedule for team meetings helps to maintain momentum for the 5S initiative. Use the time to discuss what is working, what isn’t, and how it can be improved. Be sure to follow up on action items from the previous meeting to hold everyone accountable.

Create or refresh your Team Charter.

A charter sets clear expectations for team members so that everyone is on the same page.

Incorporate team-building activities.

The right activities can increase engagement and build trust between team members. A quick internet search brings up a wealth of ideas for teams of all kinds – small, large, and even remote! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• A scavenger hunt
• An egg toss challenge
• A Nerf battle
• An office trivia game
• Board games, card games, and video games
• Out-of-the-office meetups
• Ice-breaker activities like sharing your bucket lists, “Weekend in a Word,” or “Two Truths and a Lie.”

The 5S team is essential for promoting the cultural mindset shift necessary to create lasting change. Get to work strengthening your 5S team now so that you can make the most of these last two quarters of the year. Your goals are attainable and sustainable, one small improvement at a time.

The post Your 5S Team: The Secret to Boosting Efficiency and Meeting Your Productivity Goals appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

The upheaval of this past year shone a light on many things, not least of which on how we conduct business. Many companies have struggled to continue operating. Some have had to close their doors. Then there are those who have continued to strive toward success without missing a beat. What are these companies doing differently?

There are many factors to explain this disparity, but for Lean and/or 5S practitioners, a lot comes down to how they’ve implemented Lean and 5S tools. Our 2021 State of 5S report highlights areas where Lean practitioners can better leverage 5S for greater success in the coming year.

In the summer of 2020, we decided to put together a survey to assess the state of Lean-practicing companies across America. At the time, we underestimated the pandemic’s ongoing impact. But our results should not be dismissed. The economic upheaval provided us with a big picture view of which 5S practices withstood the test of time, which didn’t, and why. If these are our benchmarks during a crisis, then what more can we accomplish as we refocus on implementing 5S best practices right now?

As we were creating our 2021 State of Lean Report, we realized that we had received a good deal of information specifically regarding current 5S implementation. We decided that 5S deserved its own report (we are 5S people after all!), and the 2021 State of 5S Report was born to capture current 5S trends.

The 5S State of Lean report found that while 5S is incredibly popular, it is not being leveraged to its greatest impact.

The majority of the companies we surveyed (87%) indicated that they are using 5S. Yet only 50% of respondents say their 5S programs are formal, actively implemented and communicated. 5S practices are intended to transform the entire workplace. It’s not just about perfecting processes. It’s about creating a new culture of changed behaviors and mindsets. 

The effectiveness of 5S programs starts with intention. If companies are looking for a tidier workplace, that is the result they will see. But companies who approach 5S as a way to achieve a broader and longer-lasting transformation will receive a wildly different result.

When companies fully invest in their 5S programs with intention, they see numerous benefits, including improved

• Worker safety
• Product quality
• System efficiency
• Overall productivity

Most importantly, these changes leave a lasting impact – but they need an actively implemented 5S program to be fully realized.

Despite the benefits of 5S, 56% of survey respondents indicated that 5S was less of a priority this past year.

These results are a bit troublesome because 5S specifically addresses the unique needs required by the pandemic: methodical cleaning and sanitization routines. What better time to fully embrace 5S trends and practices than when they are most critical to the health and safety of your employees and customers? 

5S also helps companies to accomplish more by doing less. Many businesses have found themselves with a reduced workforce, inventory, or hours of operation. 5S provides the means for companies to maximize their resources. 

What’s more, we have all had to create new ways of doing things, and with new processes come new wastes. Have you seen increases in any of these wastes this past year?

• Defects
• Inventory
• Movement/energy
• No value-add
• Overproduction
• Transportation
• waiting/wasted time
• Non-utilized talents

5S specifically addresses how companies can eliminate these wastes and streamline their productivity.

While 5S could be better implemented across the board, the biggest waste we saw was one of talent.

Acquiring new skills also creates a confident workforce that has a personal stake in how they contribute to the company’s performance. This confidence empowers employees to identify problems in workplace processes and develop solutions to make them more efficient.

According to our results, only about 61% of companies say their culture fosters teamwork, training  and clear leadership. There is a huge opportunity here for many 5S practitioners. When companies are deciding how to improve their 5S programs in the coming months, they would do well to remember their greatest asset: Their people.

Our survey also revealed a 5S trend that elements are being under-utilized in both implementing and sustaining 5S. 

Several 5S tools that are critical to both setting up and maintaining a 5S program are not being used to their fullest extent – or not being used at all. These include:

• color-coding,
• red-tag events,
• floor marking, and
• other visual management tools

When it comes to the specific phases, we are seeing a 5S trend where best practices are not being put into play in many of the surveyed companies. For the Set In Order phase, almost 61% of respondents label items and the workplace, but only about 21% keep a list of items and locations. For Shine, just 54% frequently clean and inspect the workplace, and 22% hold people accountable to a schedule. In regards to Sustain, 60% offer training for all employees, but just 43% conduct audits.  Our State of 5S Report offers suggestions and links to resources for companies looking to better integrate these practices into their 5S initiatives.

What would happen if the 5S best practices listed here, and all of those outlined in the report, were fully implemented in a 5S practicing company? That company would strengthen their position in their industry, coming out of this crisis on top instead of scrambling to recover.

If you are looking for ways to improve 5S at work, this report will guide you to proven methods. 

To get the most out of 5S best practices, keep in mind two vital aspects of 5S: communication and continuous improvement.

5S isn’t about putting up shiny new posters and brightly colored signs. The 5S concepts must be clearly communicated and consistently reinforced. Don’t hesitate to use a variety of media to get the message across, and be sure to encourage employee contributions and feedback.

And while it may be easy to get down on ourselves over what we did not accomplish this past year, we must remember that our goal is always continuous improvement. Small changes every day are going to be easier to put in place and more sustainable in the long run. The focus should be on progress, not perfection.

As consider your 5S program, review current 5S trends and identify one area to get the ball rolling in your workplace. Where would a 5S concept make the most immediate impact but also be the easiest to implement? Involve your team and provide your employees with what they need to succeed with this change. And remember: celebrate improvements and the people who put in the work to make them happen!

5S has the tools companies need to realign their strategies and realize their goals. 

What is one small step your team can make today to improve 5S in your workplace?

The post Discover 5S Trends and How 5S Can Help You Get the Most Out of Your Lean Initiative appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

Yes, it’s true! Floor marking should be used in EVERY PHASE of 5S. If you are currently not floor marking in your warehouse, then it may be time to upgrade your 5S way.

A common misconception regarding use of floor marking in a warehouse is that it should only be a primary focus during “set-in-order” and “standardized,” particularly “set-in-order.” I believe that’s actually incorrect. And here’s why.

Why is Warehouse Floor Marking Essential?

There are many reasons why floor marking in a warehouse is essential, including safety purposes, warehouse organization, communication, and visual cues, and much more. Here’s a breakdown:

Safety purposes

Warehouse floor marking helps divide spaces, highlight hazards, direct traffic, and convey important safety information. Floors should be clearly marked and visible, so employees are fully aware of what’s expected. Implementing floor marking and signage creates workflows that help prevent traffic collisions and maintain a clean and organized workspace, ultimately eliminating any possible hazardous wastes.

Communication and Visual Cues

Floor marking is one of the most essential and common tools used to quickly and efficiently convey information to people in a space. With signage standardized in the warehouse, it becomes easier to convey messages to employees, like the meaning of the floor marking and signage colors, safety procedures, traffic directions, etc. 

5S Floor Marking Options

Warehouse Organization

When a warehouse is organized and labeled properly, waiting time and excess inventory is reduced. It’s important to maintain an organized workspace to continuously improve the workflow process.  This is achieved with proper floor marking indicating the designated home for every tool, piece of material handling equipment, raw materials, finished goods and more clearly marked. 

5S Floor Markings in the Phases

Sort

If you are just getting started with 5S in your warehouse, or already a practitioner, let’s look back at the beginning. First things first, you sort through the workspace areas to remove waste and unused items. This reduces clutter and creates a more organized workspace. Make sure to evaluate what tools and equipment are being utilized in workers’ daily tasks. Whatever is not used, should be put elsewhere in a designated location or properly disposed of.

Floor marking plays an important role here. There are two key floor marking tools – red tag floor signs and tape that clearly marks the red tag area. When an item is marked with a red tag, employees know exactly where to dispose of it properly. These will establish a central location where employees will come to know and use over time.

Floor marking and signage recommendations:

• Tape for marking red tag area – clearly marks red tag holding locations
• Red tag floor signage – can provide instruction or identify areas
• 5S Red Tag Center – marks the location for employees to find red tags and includes tips for red tagging and a red tag holder so tags are always handy

Set-in-order

Floor marking and signage are used in phase two, Set in Order, and proves to be invaluable. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for floor marking. Before you consider which approaches to use, you should map out your current warehouse workflows, figure out how floor marking can help eliminate time and resources, and utilize the floor marking tape guide to grasp the best understanding of your warehouses needs. Outlining the position of objects as well as marking the workflow ensures equipment and tools find their way back “home” and eliminates unnecessary foot or machinery traffic.

A warehouse with heavy forklift traffic where pallets are dragged can result in faster tape and adhesive floor sign destruction. To replace adhesive floor signs, we suggest using LED sign projectors. These are a great floor sign alternative because these floor signs are usually located in the heaviest traveled forklift areas, causing a frequent wear and tear. 

Floor marking and signage considerations (depending on your warehouse):

• Warehouse signs – some examples are “fork-lift traffic,” “pedestrian traffic,” etc.
• LED sign projectors – perfect for where floor signs are too difficult to install or won’t hold up in  their environment, like heavy traffic areas
• Stop signs – used for safety purposes, communicates to the employees when it is safe to move
• Floor and aisle markers – clearly marked areas and paths are essential in improving foot and vehicle traffic. This eliminates any confusion and brings a swift flow of traffic

Shine

Shine has two primary components: the cleaning of the workspace and the maintenance of the cleanliness. A clean workplace is less likely to fall to disorder, however, this is more difficult in a warehouse environment and cannot be done without a high team engagement level. 

At The 5S Store, we hear about a consistent challenge 5S practitioner’s face. Frequently in warehouses that use forklifts, two-wheeler dollies, and pallet jacks, practitioners find that tape cannot stand up to the traffic and the floor markings need to be redone. This is a major issue and that’s why we have special heavy duty tapes and created a Floor Marking Tape Guide to avoid the headache of constantly replacing vinyl tape.

A great way to ensure floor marking stay in good shape is to empower the team to be a part of the solution. For starters, all levels of employees should be allowed access to floor marking tools, especially tape. Floor marking and signage should always be readily available and accessible so workers can fix markings that have worn. And, seeing the frequency of replacement can lead to more caution when using the heavy equipment. When everyone is responsible for the maintenance of the floor markings and the team is engaged with the 5S implementation process, the communication channel becomes stronger. 

Here are a few floor marking and signage recommendations:

• Trash barrel floor signs  makes sure trash bins stay in their place.
• Corner markers – sets in order equipment and materials like pallets, trash cans, handling equipment, etc. Can also be used to ensure safe distance between people.
• Janitorial Supplies – most warehouses will have color-coded cleaning supplies, a chart indicating what each color represents is also recommended to minimize cross-contamination and confusion.
• Heavy-duty tape – make the investment on tape to reduce wasted time on replacing the tape. It also has pressure-sensitive adhesives to keep the tape in place, while the tapered edge prevents damage from dragged pallets.

Standardize

An important fact to note here is that there is no set universal standard when it comes to floor marking and signage, besides the one clearly stated from OSHA. However, there should be a set standard for your workplace. Having a color floor marking standard allows your team to easily interpret markings and make quick, educated, and safe decisions. Developing a document for the standards implemented keeps employees informed. Everyone should know what each sign and floor marking represents. Consider custom Signage to CLEARLY state your floor tape meaning and color to serve as a visual guide.

Sustain

It’s easy to slip into old habits and ways without proper evaluation and monitoring. A useful tool to avoid this and to sustain your 5S program is a 5S audit. This is a critical 5S step to ensure your warehouse is following the implemented 5S principles. Oftentimes, floor marking and signage are overlooked during these audits. If they are all torn up or need to be replaced, that should be noted in the audit. Or, during the audit, you may realize there’s an area in need of floor marking or signage. These 5S audits should be conducted regularly (the best approach being weekly) to create a continuous improvement cycle that keeps items organized and eliminates waste. Keep score and review the results to the group. This will keep employees accountable and will further enhance the 5S program and workplace flow.

Going Forward

It’s never too late to start floor marking or revamping your current situation. When starting, it’s crucial the floors are ready to receive the tape. You will first need a scraper that won’t harm the floors and equipment in order to get the current tape off the floor. Once the floor markings and signage are placed around the warehouse, you’ll need to get everyone on the same page in regards to maintaining and understanding. Remember, 5S is a continuous improvement and making adjustments as you go is OK, as long as effective communication is maintained.

The 5S Store offers everything you’ll need to support your 5S plan. From heavy-duty floor tape to sign projectors and tool boards, we’re here to boost your safety, improve workflow processes, and increase efficiency throughout your facility. For more information on floor marking, check out our floor marking tape guide article.

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Are you struggling to communicate your 5S programs at your workplace? Maybe check your generational divide.

Whether you’re on the manufacturing floor, in an office, or managing a warehouse, there is likely to be a larger diversity in your workforce than ever before. We tend to think of diversity as related to race, ability, or gender. We forget that age ranges are important here too. Luckily, bridging the generational gap when communicating about your 5S initiatives doesn’t have to be difficult.

There’s a top-down struggle to stay committed and sustain 5S initiatives. The environment is key to understanding how to communicate well…Understanding the generational makeup of a facility is part of understanding the environment.

Bob Burke “Baby Boomer”, VIP Group

For this piece, we spoke to professionals from each age range about their experience of work, communicating with colleagues, and what they wish their bosses understood about motivating them. Then, we researched what journalists and academic institutions had to say about the topic. What we present here is not scientific, it is our perspective on the generational divide presented through the lense of communicating about 5S initiatives.

We know that there is no one agreed-upon year that each generation begins or ends. However, there is general agreement that the five age ranges can be labeled this way:

• Baby Boomers – The children born to the World War II generation, generally born between 1946 and 1954.
• The Lost Generation (Sometimes called Boomers II) – Some sources consider the end of the Baby Boomer years to be the beginning of Gen X. However, others mark an often neglected, and we think unique, set of characteristics that belong to those born between 1955 and 1964. This is the first post-Watergate generation.
• Gen X – Children born between 1965 – 1976 are also sometimes called The Lost Generation because they are sandwiched between Baby Boomers and Millennials in terms of resources. They are the first generation of American kids to grow up with large percentages of divorce, daycare, and the beginnings of modern computing.
• Millennials – Much has been written about the first generation of cell-phone and internet owning kids. This term usually refers to people born between 1981 and 1996.
• Generation Z – The youngest workers in your office are no longer millennials. Over the last couple of years, Generation Z has begun their careers. These are workers born between 1997 and 2012. Gen Z is the first Americans to be born into a world without smartphones or the internet.

Each generation shares both similarities and differences. That means understanding where we could have gaps in communication styles helps us work together on our goal of continuous improvement. What follows is an overview of what we learned, a deeper look at one professional in each age group, and a few suggestions on what to do to communicate more effectively with each group.

What we learned about communication across the generations.

It’s important to say upfront that the differences between the generational groups are smaller than sometimes expected, based on how much is written about them. And, at the same time, what is different is significant when communicating at work.

If we are making the case for 5S with different age groups, considering how they prefer to receive recognition, perceive their roles, and learn from each other can significantly impact our results.

We expected that the larger the age gap, the bigger the communication differences would be. We were wrong.

Our expectations were that Baby Boomers and Generation Z to be the most different. While there are huge gaps in how each group uses technology, when we removed the question of smartphone versus landline we found that the oldest and the youngest age groups shared these communication preferences:

• Baby Boomers and Gen Z are quick to share their individual preferences and perspectives. They also appear to find teamwork more challenging than other groups do.
• Both older baby boomers and Gen Z, the newest group to enter the workforce, feel like those of other age groups speak to them as if they were children. This wrangles them. Although each group is coming at this frustration from a different angle, when communicating with both older and younger workers, try to treat them as equals. They say they can handle it.
• Urgency tends to be a hallmark of Millennials and Gen Xers. As far as we can tell, other generations are much less concerned with time constraints.

Remember, we tend to over-simplify the differences between people when we look at them as monoliths in any group.

When it comes to thinking about generational communication, it matters more to think about the context of the world these workers grew up in than how old they are. In fact, most generational differences are generalizations based on large-scale cultural, economic, and societal movements during the childhoods and early adulthoods of people.

People my age are skeptical about Lean and all it’s sub-groups. It doesn’t hold as much allure as it seems to for other groups. But then, I feel like we are more skeptical about everything.

Brian Murphy “GenX”, Lean Practitioner

In that sense, a worker who grew up in a post-9/11 world might have much more in common with a worker who grew up in a Cold War-era world than you might think.

Shifting cultural norms play a huge role in the communications gap. That’s why the children of the social media age have one huge difference we continually came across with their pre-1980-born colleagues…

Talking back to the boss is a big frustration to many over 40(ish) workers when communicating with their younger counterparts.

Questioning authority is one of the largest challenges of communication when there is a power dynamic between two colleagues of different generations.

It may be that part of the criticism of the younger generations by the older comes from this big difference:

Millennials and Gen Z-age workers do, on average, question authority figures much more often than their older counterparts.

This matters because a question or critique that an early-30s-age worker poses to a superior can seem like insubordination to an older boss. When in fact, the “young upstart” was actually showing what she considers a level of maturity and trustworthiness by expressing her concerns in a transparent way.

A Generation-by-Generation Guide to Intergenerational Empathy and Communication

As we cautioned at the beginning of this piece, it can be easy to blame the generational divide for everything. We encourage you not to do that. While understanding the gaps which often occur based on age is key to better functioning teams, it is only one small piece of the overall puzzle. Use these guidelines as jumping-off points to better understand, not be-all-end-all rules.

Working with Baby Boomers? Then, remember to keep it professional.

Remember that older workers grew up in a time with more rigid social rules than exist today. That means it’s key to empathize with professionalism in language, communication format, and adherence to a hierarchy often makes them feel more comfortable.

When working with the Lost Generation, help them feel seen.

Much has been said about Gen Xers being “The Generational Middle Child”. However, when a group literally gets left out of the labeling system (that’s a part of why they are called lost) it seems like middle-child analogies abound. People in this group largely want to feel seen, because they are so often overlooked.

Communicating with GenX workers? Pragmatic explanations are key.

Gen Xers tend to be highly educated and able to communicate well at work. They usually feel comfortable in both digital and in-person interactions. A common misconception is that workers in this group are not as internet-savvy as their younger counterparts. That’s simply not true. They know their technology AND know how to handle more traditional business etiquette. It’s a powerful combination of skills.

Are millennials flooding your facility? Think beyond their bad rap at what work-life has been like for them.

Millennials make up the largest generation in the workforce right now. Many came-of-age in post-9/11 America and graduated from college during the worst recession in post-Depression America. Because of these experiences, Millennials are empathetic, skeptical, and professionally savvy. Despite being the most educated generation in American history, more millennials households have incomes below the national poverty level than any other age group. It’s important to consider this context to understand how they communicate at work.

As GenZ workers enter the job market, consider these communication strategies.

It can feel like Generation Z was born with a smartphone in hand. That can be both a blessing and a curse. The newest generation to enter our warehouses, manufacturing floors, and offices offer a lot of possibilities to our workplaces. Gen Z workers tend to be flexible, socially conscious, and more adaptable than many people expect.

Technology adoption is not the only thing that impacts communication styles. Our best advice? Stop using it as an excuse for the gaps in connection.

There are a few important differences in communication styles between the five generations currently in the workforce. Yet many oldies-but-goodies remain the same. Every person we talked to said some version of the following three things:

• Make us feel like we matter. It doesn’t matter how good your vacation policy is if people don’t feel valued. Communicate why and how your initiatives, 5S or otherwise, will benefit them. Then, take that one step further and help them understand how their unique skills contribute to the bigger picture.
• Slow down. Talk less. Listen more. All generations feel that their leaders and managers often don’t listen to the employees the way they should. This goes back to number one, slow down. Listen to them. That will help your teams, no matter how old they are, feel like you care.
• Follow through. What we do often communicates as strongly as what we say. Make sure to follow through on your promises, initiatives, and programs. Every time we say something matters and then forget it, our teams believe us less the next time.

Managing your 5S teams (and beyond) will be easier if you take into consideration these three truths. They are simple, but not always easy to sustain.

The post Communicating 5S in the Workplace Across 5 Generations of Workers appeared first on SafeWork Insider.

5S is a business philosophy that infuses its practices, when applied correctly, into a company’s culture.

Global pandemics, furloughs due to budget cuts, and supply chain issues have more than a few organizations backburnering their 5S initiatives. As a longtime warehouse guy, I find this a troubling trend. Call me biased, but I find this moment to be a perfect example of why adhering to 5S basics is so important. When life is in constant motion, the 5S Methodology is an essential guardrail. It’s something like a set of bumpers on a bowling lane: Training us to stay on the most successful pathway.

When stress levels are high and budgets squeezed, it’s easy to forget why 5S is a necessity. But the truth is, how well your 5S program is working often correlates to how successful the company is.

Achieving more with fewer resources isn’t a new concept to a 5S practitioner.

– David Visco

5S principles are the most effective way I know to audit the health of company culture. It’s about way more than efficiency.

So what exactly is 5S?

The 5S Method is a standardized process that when properly implemented creates and maintains an organized, safe, clean, and efficient workplace. Improved visual controls are implemented as part of 5S to make any process violations obvious and easily detectable. 5S is often one element of a larger Lean initiative and promotes continuous improvement. The term “5S” specifically stands for:

• Seiri / Sort: Separating of the essential from the nonessential items,
• Seiton / Straighten: Organizing the essential materials where everything has its place,
• Seiso / Shine: Cleaning the work area,
• Seiketsu / Standardize: Establishing a system to maintain and make 5S a habit,
• Shitsuke / Sustain: Establishing a safe and sanitary work environment (Safety).

By following these five steps, we reduce waste in a variety of ways.

The eight forms of waste typically considered in 5S are:

• Overproduction – Producing more than required or producing parts faster than they can be used.
• Excessive Inventory – This can be a direct result of overproduction or it could be due to poor purchasing practices. Over purchasing supplies because we got a great deal sometimes is no deal at all.
• Inappropriate Processes – Waste happens through the use of the wrong tools. It can also happen by performing needless tasks. Using less efficient processes and tools can cause waste too.
• Waiting – Time and resources are wasted when waiting on parts, supplies, or information.
• Transportation – Excessive travel or movement of materials is waste.
• Unnecessary Motion – Any movement or motion that does not add value is waste.
• Defects – This form of waste is one of the worst of all. Defects can also create additional waste in the form of wait time.
• Untapped Employee Potential – Modern successful organizations create a culture where employee’s ideas are really heard and valued.

By relentlessly working to eliminate these wastes, we create stronger organizations. The 5S Principles are recognized in many industries as effective tools for improving workplace organization, reducing waste, and increasing efficiency.

(Learn more about what 5S is here.)

The longer we work in this new environment, the more obvious the need for 5S becomes.

As every company whose spent time on this journey knows, sustaining is the difficult part. Vigilance over time is not easy. We tend to slip back into old habits. Handwashing with the intentionality of a surgeon slips into a quick splash. We get into each other’s space for convenience, forgetting social distancing. Visual standards, continuous small improvements, and consistent audits help keep us on track.

Why backburning 5S initiatives now might backfire in the future.

There is a well worn English phrase that says: “When times get tough, the tough get going.”

I bet one or two of us used this line with our teams over the last six months. As budgets are slashed, tensions rise. It’s tempting to forget that efficiency, risk mitigation, teamwork, and systematic improvement are the cornerstones of financial success. Without this, we waste money, time, and resources. Most importantly, we waste the goodwill of our people–as errors occur and fingers are pointed. 5S helps us to reduce the risk that the stresses of a difficult year will turn into significant errors, delays, and malfunctions.

We recommit to our 5S initiatives to reinforce our commitment to our teams and their safety.

Are we truly committed to the 6th ‘S’ – Safety?

I made my first visit to a pharmacy, in a post-COVID world, in the Spring. It was a common chain and few things were different about the experience. Sure, we were wearing masks but I could still see that the cashier was smiling from the twinkle in her eyes.

Pleasantries were still spoken. The social distancing didn’t seem to change much, except when standing in line. That’s where I noticed the floor markings so familiar to me. Where many others might find these types of visual queues new, it made me smile with a familiar reminder about why I do what I do: 5S is ultimately about people.

In every warehouse, manufacturing facility, or humble gymnasium I’ve been inside of, floor taping is used as a universally understood queue about where to go (or not) to stay safe. The lines on the floor at my local pharmacy do the same.

5S tactics ultimately help us come together–whether or at work or at the store–in safe and productive ways.

We want people to be safe at work. And, safety is not only about social distancing during a pandemic or avoiding a tripping hazard. It’s also about job security, team cohesion and the comfort it gives us humans to know what the rules are.

At the end of the day, 5S is a powerful indicator of how an organization’s culture is manifesting day-to-day.

We believe that sustaining your 5S program is more important now than ever. As every consultant and practitioner will tell you, your program is only as good as your communication and consistency. Sustaining is difficult not because we are lazy or inept. It is difficult because we are human. And humans want to feel seen, safe and served. If we’re doing those things well, we will not only have strong 5S initiatives. We will have strong cultures too. And, as every strong leader will tell you, our company’s culture will determine whether we get going or fizzle out in tough times like these.

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