The 5 'S' Process: Seiri, Seiton, Seiso,
Seiketsu, Shitsuke
- The 5S Process, or simply "5S", is a structured program to systematically achieve total organization, cleanliness, and standardization in the workplace.
- "5S" was invented in Japan, and stands for five (5) Japanese words that start with the letter 'S': Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke.
Table
1. 5S Definitions
Japanese Term
|
English Equivalent
|
Meaning in Japanese
Context
|
Seiri
|
Tidiness/Sort
|
Throw away all rubbish
and unrelated materials in the workplace
|
Seiton
|
Order
|
Set everything in proper
place for quick retrieval and storage
|
Seiso
|
Clean/Shine
|
Clean the workplace;
everyone should be a janitor
|
Seiketsu
|
Standardization
|
Standardize the way of
maintaining cleanliness
|
Shitsuke
|
Systematize/Discipline
|
Practice 'Five S' daily -
make it a way of life; this also means 'commitment'
|
Seiri
The first step of the
"5S" process, seiri, refers to the act of throwing away all unwanted,
unnecessary, and unrelated materials in the workplace.
Seiton
Seiton, or orderliness, is
all about efficiency. This step consists of putting everything in an
assigned place so that it can be accessed or retrieved quickly, as well as
returned in that same place quickly.
Seiso
Seiso, the third step in
"5S", says that 'everyone is a janitor.' Seiso consists of
cleaning up the workplace and giving it a 'shine'. Cleaning must be done
by everyone in the organization, from operators to managers.
Seiketsu
The fourth step of
"5S", or seiketsu, more or less translates to 'standardized
clean-up'. It consists of defining the standards by which personnel must
measure and maintain 'cleanliness'.
Shitsuke
The last step of
"5S", Shitsuke, means 'Discipline.' It denotes commitment to maintain
orderliness and to practice the first 4 S as a way of life.
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