Using the 5S System

Kaizen is about communication and an essential part of communicating are your actions. We all know that actions speak louder than words.

5S is a subset of Kaizen that puts your words into action.

5S is a systematic approach to cleaning, organizing and maintaining a work environment. Through 5S employees are better able to identify equipment problems before they become a problem that hinders production. Through 5S safety is improved and hazards are eliminated. Through 5S the work environment is improved, resulting in employees who enjoy their work more and who are more motivated to make further improvements.

5S usually does not require major capital projects, so the cost to implement 5S is low--while the benefits are great.

An online tutorial about 5S is available on the Graphic Products' web site. They also offer a free booklet that provides a quick introduction to 5S.