Chapter 1

Introduction

Nowadays many companies are going into 5S implementation to enhance their

company’s productivity and reduce wastage. Through the implementation of 5S the
companies can move forward and being more competitive in the future. In 5S it
promoted continues improvement in daily activities, so this will foster the effectiveness
and efficiency of work flow at work place. It encourages positive working attitudes and
teaches employees become more discipline. It also becomes the hallmark for the
companies to represent “good housekeeping” and embarking towards lean journey. 5S
is not a complex system; it is the simplest system which is has 5 philosophies that need
to be followed. The most important things are cooperation and commitments to
achieving and sustain 5S implementation.

5S is originally comes from Japan and being develop by Hiroyuki Hirano who is just-in-
time expert and international consultant. The approach of the implementation of 5S is it
controls the work floor conditions rather than the employee’s behavior. The workers
itself need to ensure their work station or workplace is according to the 5S principles.
Beyond the 5S implementation, it encourages proactive approaches that prevent
problems and waste before occur and worsen. There is no chance for efficiency or
quality improvement within dirty work place, waste of time and scrap, that why
companies needed 5S to eliminate this things. The basic assumption states "wastes are
potential gain, eliminating wastes is a gain". It is inexpensive for the company to
implement and it makes the employee’s job easier and safer. Thus it also can reduce
the potentially accident from being happened.

This good housekeeping approach can lead to a smoother running operation and
enhance the productivity of companies. It is a series of improvement models to create a
faster, better way of working without high cost and maximizes efficiency. The 5S
philosophy is generally focusing on effective work place organization, simplified work
environment, strive waste reduction while improving quality, team work and safety. It
provides a practical method for dealing with the real problems that employees face
every day.
The 5S philosophy is referring to the principles of continues improvement in the
workplace. The philosophy of 5S principles are: seiri, seiton, seison, seiketsu and
shitsuke when it been translated into English, start with letter “S”. The meaning of 5S in
when it been translated in English are: sorting, straightening, systematic cleaning,
standardizing and sustaining. Sometimes, there are two other principles included, which
is safety & security to strengthen the 5S philosophy. Why almost in the world trying to
implement 5S in their organization structure? The reason is 5S show efficiency in time,
transforming the physical environment of work area and spirit of all employee levels.
Thus it will motivate the employees to work hard in a safe, clean and organize working
environment.

These terms can be described as follows:

1. Seiri or Sort is the first step in the process and mandates that necessary items
are kept within the workplace. Useful, but less often used, tools and items are
delegated to storage. Unnecessary items or waste are tossed out. This will create a
leaner but more efficient operating space. Recommended way of sorting is to take
the workspace and red tag all items not needed to complete the job. These items are
moved to a central location and from there deemed necessary or waste. This clears
a workspace of broken, obsolete or "just in case" items.

2. Seiton or Systematic Arrangement is the next step and allows for the
organization of needed tools and equipment in the right places. This is the what,
where and how of each job. Decide what is needed, where it is done, and how many
are needed. Tool carts that provide needed tool sand equipment are a great
example of seiton. Defining work areas is also part of this step.

3. Seison or Sanitary demands cleanliness. For some establishments this means a

thorough cleaning first, and then follows up with a regimen of daily cleaning tasks to
maintain a sanitary environment. By keep equipment and areas clean, the lifespan
can be extended and maintenance issues can be detected earlier. This also creates
a safe work environment.
4. Seiketsu or Standardizing requires SOP, or standard operating procedures.
These will support and maintain the effort put forth in the first three steps of the
process and is key to keeping the program vital. Communication is a key component
in implementing standard procedures. Develop them with input from employees,
make sure they are informed, and post them visibly in the workplace to serve as a
reminder of the goals.

5. Shitsuke or Sustain the program needs continuing education, reinforcement of

goals and adjusting procedures that become outdated and no longer work. This
gives credence to the program and is the backbone of maintaining the goals of a
better, more efficient workplace ( Teresa Aira, helium.com)
Company Background

Maces Sdn Bhd (Malaysian Chemicals And Engineering Services) was incorporated
under Malaysia Companies Act 1956 on 12th March, 2003. This company consists of a
group of specialists which have integrated both the chemicals capabilities along with
engineering capabilities. Maces is an ISO 9001:2000 certified plant since 2004 and
assured the customers with the highest quality product delivered all the time, every
time. Its key strengths lie in its highly trained, experienced people with extensive
knowledge of the industry and their ability to apply the right technology to provide you
value added solution.

The motto of MACES is Focus, Innovate and Execute.

Focus

Our experienced pool of people are fully dedicated with their core competence and
committed to deliver only the best products and services to our customers.

Innovate

Our dedication and commitment to deliver only the best products and services demand
continuous creative and innovative working process for improved value to our
customers.

Execute

Our creativities and innovations are practical and realistic that all solutions are
deliverable and meeting customer specific needs.

Strategic Intent

One-stop center for chemicals and water management needs with local expertise
meeting world class standards.

Strategic Mission

Deliver the essentials of life, protect the environment and contribute to the community.
Background of Study

The purpose of this study is to figure out of the implementation of 5S at MACES. From
this study we can know how effective and proactive their 5S implementation and is that
they can sustain 5S in the future. Besides that through this study also major problem
can be identify. This will help MACES to overcome the problem and eliminated it. Thus
it can improves and sustain 5S implementation the future. The researcher will be
analyzed and identified the major problem and try to come out with suitable solution
towards to sustain 5S implementation.

Problem Statement

Based on the background of study, the main problem of MACES is that their employees
are giving fully commitment towards 5S implementation and is that their employees are
aware and giving fully cooperation to achieve 5S standard at MACES. Even MACES try
delivered the best strategy, activities, programme etc to ensure the successfulness of
5S implementation but still can’t achieve the target and goals. The researcher chooses
commitment and awareness, consistency of implementation and promotional activities
and practices as a subject to be studied to identify is that this thing is the major
influences that would be effected to the implementation and sustainable of 5S
implementation.

Objective of Studies

The objective of this study is to figure out the implementation and sustainable of 5S
based on commitment and awareness, consistency of implementation and promotional
activities and practices at MACES. Besides that to determine the most significant factor
that has strong influence towards 5S implementation and sustainable.
Scope of Studies

The scope of this study is to investigate the influences of commitment and awareness,
consistency of implementation and promotional activities and practices that is contribute
to the successfulness and sustainable of 5S implementation at MACES. This research
will measure the relationship of commitment and awareness, consistency of
implementation and promotional activities and practices towards the implementation
and sustainable of 5S. To complete this research lot of data and interview session
needs to be gathered to ensure the information that been obtain is accurate. The data
can be obtained through secondary data.

Significance of Study

• To understand which the most important factors that influences the implementation

and sustainable of 5S at MACES.

• To help MACES to find out the major problem that causes to the unsuccessfulness

of implementation and sustainable of 5S.

• To help MACES to improve and know the weakness of their implementation and
sustainable of 5S.

.
Chapter 2

Commitment and awareness of 5S’s

5S’s is not being the responsibility of a concerned few. It is a concern of everyone to

act. All level of management should take part in decision making required to ensure
5S’s implementation. Incorporate 5S’s activities as part of company’s small group
activities (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). It is really about developing a culture that insists on
employees thinking and acting in a disciplined way to keep their work areas organized
and visible (Arthur V. Hill,2009). The 5S’s will not be taken seriously until the managers
and even the company president take personal responsibility and interest on its
implementation (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). A visual work area provides cues that help
workers and supervisors immediately know the current status of the system and quickly
identify if anything needs immediate attention (Arthur V. Hill,2009).

As suggested by (Ho,1999), training is the 5S’s key of success. Without proper training,
the employees haven’t captured the 5S implementation properly and are not able to
standardize the 5S’s activity. The full benefits of the 5S’s cannot be experienced in the
business sector until all the obstacles associated with implementation of the technique
are recognized, fully understood and addressed (Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, Nor
Kamaliana Khamis, Rosmaizura Mohd Zain, Baba Md Deros and Wan Hasrulnizzam
Wan Mahmood, 2010). The success of the system requires the recognition of all these
operations by everyone and its continuous observation. Another important factor
required for its successful application is that everyone has “teamwork soul”( Korkut et
al.,2009). Organizing the 5S’s team is an important approach in solving many potential
problems. In the other hand, the 5S’s practice is a technique used to establish; maintain
quality environment in an organization effectively and promised the employees to be
more self-discipline (Ho, 1999a; Pheng, 2001). If entire organization is not committed,
5S’s program will be short-lived. Commitment is not possible without top management's
visible support for the program. All employees must believe that the organization is
committed to the program. (Jim Parrie, 2007).
Involve everyone, no one is an observer and continually repeat the 5S’s cycle order to
reach higher standard (international labor organization, 2008).Everyone in the
organization must be fully committed to implementing the 5S’s process. Workers and
management at all level must take responsibility to keep their work area clean and
orderly if 5S’s is to be achieved (international labor organization, 2008). Begin to
develop a disciplined culture of keeping the work area up to 5S standards at all times.
This involves developing the habit of always putting things back in the proper place,
making sure that everything is always in the right place, and removing items of little or
no value (Arthur V. Hill,2009). (Warwood and Knowles, 2004) stated that the
implementation of 5S is tended to depend on the stage of the 5S programme. Most
Japanese companies claimed that the 5S benefit is not only for improving their physical
environment, but also improving their thinking processes as well. The most significant
barriers identified are related to lack of communication and gap between the top
management and shop floor employees and also the lack of training and consciousness
of this activity amongst the staff. Poor communication will influence the poor results in
managing the resources i.e. time, budget and materials with resultant lowered morale
and motivation amongst employees (Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, Nor Kamaliana Khamis,
Rosmaizura Mohd Zain, Baba Md Deros and Wan Hasrulnizzam Wan Mahmood,
2010),as supported by (Gapp et al. 2008).

Without proper training, the employees haven’t captured the 5S implementation properly
and are not able to standardize the 5S activity. Continuous assessment in both
companies is believed one of the key drivers to changing the culture of the organization
(Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, Nor Kamaliana Khamis, Rosmaizura Mohd Zain, Baba Md
Deros and Wan Hasrulnizzam Wan Mahmood, 2010). Furthermore, it should have
reached to a total quality culture developed as to not cause any problem regarding the
success of the recommendation and opinions coming from sub-departments and
workers (Karabulut, 1999). 5S is an approach that can be easily applied in all
organizations. Its simplicity and easy recognition is the superior side of 5S (Korkut et
al.,2009).
Consistency of 5S’s Implementation
5S activities should not be performed in a secret or disguised such as overtime work.
Get management approval for all 5S activities (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). 5S is a simple
and effective lean methodology that helps organizations simplify, clean, and sustain a
visible and productive work environment (Arthur V. Hill, 2010). Don’t do things halfway.
Once 5S promotional organization methods have been established, get started stick
with it (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). Grout (2009) argues persuasively that 5S is a good
starting point for process improvement. He argues further that if an organization cannot
do 5S, it cannot keep its work areas clean, cannot get people to agree on the process
design, and cannot implement standards. 5S is far more than just keeping a work area
clean. It is really about developing a culture that insists on employees thinking and
acting in a disciplined way to keep their work areas organized and visible (Arthur V. Hill,
2010). O’hEocha (2000) confirmed that 5S is an effective technique that can improve
housekeeping, environmental performance, as well as safety standards in a systematic
way.
Don’t stop with 5S: Follow through with zero defects, cost reduction, and other
productivity and quality improvement (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). The results of a good
5S program include improved visibility, safety, morale, cost, cycle time, quality, and
labor productivity, along with reduced waste, and an increased sense of ownership of
the work area. Ultimately, a good 5S program will result in lower cost, increased
revenue and increased profit (Arthur V. Hill, 2010). A place for everything – each thing
in its place” is one of the basic rules in the implementation of the 5S system. The 5S
system of rules is based on order and discipline within all departments involved in the
manufacturing of exhaust systems (Gheorghe Dulhai,2008). 5S approach forms the
basis of the other improvement activities conducted at the company and leaves positive
impact on the motivation of the personnel (Sarıcoban, 2006). Forming
a ground for the other improvement activities, 5S is an important term that carries
priority in improvement at a company (Celebi, 1997).
In Malaysia, the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia or SIRIM has
played an effective role to encourage the utilization 5S concept among Malaysian
industries (Ho et al., 1995). (Ho, 1999) found that most of operating companies in Hong
Kong has successfully improved quality of product as well as increasing the working life
underneath of 5S deployment. The 5S concept is applicable for many industry types or
business natures, including service sectors. (Ho and Fung, 1994) stated that 5S is one
of the strongest tools for enhancing the success factor of TQM implementation. In case
if 5S awareness is combined with the work, then the targeted objectives are achieved in
a faster manner (Korkut et al.,2009). A successful 5S application is dependent on the
trainings to be provided by the directors to the personnel. Even a smallest levity that
may form during the training challenges the achievement of expected results. These
kinds of studies should be continuously supported by the planned training programs
(Sevim Korkut and Erdinler, 2003).

The audit process of the study place, it enables each organization to identify the
potential level of quality improvement in real situation (Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, Nor
Kamaliana Khamis, Rosmaizura Mohd Zain, Baba Md Deros and Wan Hasrulnizzam
Wan Mahmood, 2010). 5S audit could be categorized as a crucial tool to ensure that the
accurate deployment of 5S in an organization (Ho, 1999). The 5S auditing criteria must
be relevant to the business nature or working environment, as well as align with
organization policy and vision (Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman, Nor Kamaliana Khamis,
Rosmaizura Mohd Zain, Baba Md Deros and Wan Hasrulnizzam Wan Mahmood, 2010).
The 5S method begins each programme of improvement. It is the tool for helping the
analysis of processes running on the workplace (J. Michalska; D. Szewieczek, 2007).
5S is a system applied for providing order and discipline at companies, provides the
supervision of both simple and even the smallest details of the company and forms the
basis of the other improvement activities (Erdal, 2007).
5S Promotional Activities and Practice
The elements of 5S are all valuable in their own right but they simply form part of the
bigger picture of establishing best practice (Ian Henderson, 2004). Company managers
must take a strong leadership role in 5S promotional meetings and other 5S event
(Noeradji Prabowo,2003). It is important to find a visible way to measure your progress,
perhaps by printing posters or signs that can be written on as important quotas are met
(Nilesh R Arora, 2007). The history and culture of the company or the specific plant
have to be taken into account when this decision is taken(Ian Henderson, 2004).
.Present actual example of successful of 5S implementation, or take participants on tour
to successful 5S workplace (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). Understand 5S as we understand
all aspects of other types of improvement and problem-solving activity and then to agree
a change programme for our own business (Ian Henderson, 2004). Management should
endorse the formal 5S plan and set dates for implementation (David McBride, 2003).
Organizations with successful 5S programs measure their performance with weekly
audits using checklists and score sheets (Jim Parrie, 2007).

Conduct a general monthly meeting where company and managers can address the
issues and themes (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). Identify what is to be done, by whom, and
ensure that schedules are updated and clearly visible (Ian Henderson, 2004). People
tend to resist change and even the most well structured 5S plan will fail if not constantly
reinforced. Look for ways to emphasize the positive results of a 5S program. Catch
phrases and slogans can be used to make sure no one forgets the significance of your
goals (Nilesh R Arora, 2007). Organizations should also consider engaging informal
shop floor leaders by utilizing 5S coordinators, who are volunteers charged with
harmonizing, monitoring and leading implementation (Christopher D. Chapman, 2005).
rewarding for everyone involved. As employees grow into the 5S system, the will find it
energizing and fulfilling (Nilesh R Arora, 2007). The employees doing the day-to-day
maintenance of 5S, a designated management champion should be responsible for
visibly supporting the process, providing top management feedback and going to bat for
5S if needed (Christopher D. Chapman, 2005).
What is 5S
The 5S philosophy focuses on effective workplace organization and standard work
procedures. It is based on five Japanese words that begin with S. This document
contains a translation of those words and their corresponding meanings in the English
language (Nilesh R Arora, 2007). Set of techniques providing a standard approach to
housekeeping within Lean Manufacturing (Ian Henderson, 2004). 5S is a process of
work place organization and housekeeping carried out gradually and systematically
(Noeradji Prabowo,2003). 5S is a simple and effective lean methodology that helps
organizations simplify, clean, and sustain a visible and productive work environment
(Hill, 2010). The method is a structured program to implement workplace organization
and standardization. A well organized workplace motivates people, both on the
shopfloor as well as others (Noeradji Prabowo,2003). The 5S visual management
system is designed to create a visual workplace – a work environment that is self-
explaining, self-ordering, self-improving. A good 5S condition is a clean, well-ordered
workplace that is the foundation of improvement (Oakland University Pawley Learning
Institute, 2006).

The Japanese characters for 5S are (Chu, 2009):

• Sort (separate, scrap, sift) – Separate the necessary and unnecessary items and get
rid of the unnecessary items.
• Set in order (straighten, store, simplify) – Organize the work area and put everything
in its place.
• Shine (scrub, sweep) – Sweep, wash, clean, and shine everything around the work
area.
• Standardize – Use standard methods to maintain the work area so it is visible, clean,
and in a constant state of readiness.
• Sustain (systematize, self-discipline) – Ensure that all 5S policies are followed
throughout the entire organization by means of empowerment, commitment, and
accountability.
The 5S is the acronym of five Japanese words which stands for seiri (organization),
seiton (neatness), seiso (cleanliness), seiketsu (standardization) and shitsuke
(discipline) (Ho et al., 1995; Ho, 1997; Sui-Pheng and Khoo, 2001). Organizing the 5S
team is an important approach in solving many potential problems. In the other hand,
the 5S practice is a technique used to establish; maintain quality environment in an
organization effectively and promised the employees to be more self-discipline (Ho,
1999; Pheng, 2001). 5S is systematic and organic to lean production, a business
system for organizing and managing manufacturing operations that requires less human
effort, space, capital and time to make products with fewer defects. It creates a work
environment that is disciplined, clean and well ordered (Christopher D. Chapman,
2005). The 5S is the methodology of creation and maintaining well organized, clean,
high effective and high quality workplace. Its result is the effective organization of the
workplace, reduction of work’s environment, elimination of losses connected with
failures and breaks, improvement of the quality and safety of work (J. Michalska; D.
Szewieczek, 2007).
Chapter 3
Problems towards Implementation and sustainable of 5S
It is not easy to implement something new in the company and make it became sustain.
This is because certain company is comfort with ordinary work culture. That why it
become hardest part to changes the work culture and environment in the company. To
changes the company culture it needed team work, cooperation, effective management
system, discipline etc. It can be start to changes the simplest one first until face it the
hardest part. Even the changes take time but at least the progress of the program can
be seeing in the company.

In order to implement 5S systems at MACES, there are several problems that incur
according to the MACES employees opinions. These problems need to be solve
immediately to ensure the successfulness of implementation and sustainable of 5S
systems at MACES. Even it is the simple problems, it needed to take seriously and look
down into a solution. Cooperation and team work is important to generate the solution
for these problems. The participation of all MACES employees would be better to find
out the solution. At least even the ordinary employees can come out the brilliant ideas to
solve these matters. This time is the top management can see the performance of their
employees and at this time also ordinary employees can show their ability to solve kind
of matters.

The main problem that always been come out in the 5S implementation is cooperation
and team work among MACES employees. Even the top management had advise the
employees to gave the cooperation to ensure the successfulness of 5S systems but
these cooperation and team work are long lasting been performed by employees. They
only care about their job scope only. In the 5S even the top ranking in the company also
need to involve showing good role models to their employees. These can be seemed in
the Japanese company, the top ranking people also involve actively in the
implementation of 5S. By doing this their employees will be automatically feel embraces
if they are not involve and giving up the cooperation towards this programme.
Another thing is the sense of ownerships of employees towards their work station.
Sometimes they are not responsible for their work station and just leave it anything after
been used and expected someone else will be covered. If any measures not been taken
it would be being habits and in the future it becomes the company culture. This is
because when someone else doing liked that others will be followed. They think the
company is not really care about this thing. To avoid this matter become worsen drastic
measure need to be taken and ensure it not be repeatedly happen in the future. This is
because they are chance for a certain period and would back again to their old habits.
That why disciplinary is important to teach them to be responsible and care about their
job scope and work station.

It is not worth it if taking care only for an implementation only but not focusing towards
the sustainable of 5S systems. This will makes the development of 5S systems become
not systematic. When we are implementing something we need to make sure it is flow
like as we are planned and not stuck at a certain stage. That why it needed to be
sustaining to ensure it flow smoothly as planned. When it move smoothly, it is easy to
monitor it. It needed to balance between implementation and sustainable of 5S systems.
By sustaining and maintain the 5S systems, the employees also will take seriously
about this implementation and give fully cooperation to make it the successfulness of
the programme.

Besides that the investment of money towards 5S also playing a role to support the
implementation and sustainable of a 5S systems. This is because anything to setup
things needed money, so it is one of the efforts to use in term of generating the
successfulness of 5S. For example it can be used to decorate the office to looks more
nicely, give reward and incentive for the employees who show outstanding performance
towards 5S implementation, design a shirt for 5S awareness for all employees etc. In
this case MACES needed to allocate sum of money into this program to ensure
sustaining this implementation. MACES can create employee of the month who is
perform well to support the implementation and giving up he reward and incentive. This
will motivate the employees to enhance their performance.
Chapter 4
Recommendation Towards 5S Implementation and Sustainable

Chu (2009) presents a 5S framework to summarize these benefits:

• Sales – Increased sales (market share).
• Savings – Decreased costs.
• Safety – Safer working environment.
• Standardization – Standardized operating procedures.
• Satisfaction – Satisfied employees and customers.

Grout (2009) emphasizes that a 5S program supports a visual work environment that is:
• Self-explaining
• Self-ordering
• Self-regulating
• Self-improving

The implementation can’t be realized without fully cooperation and commitment been
giving up by employees. So the management needs to do something to chance the
working culture to ensure all employees are following the order and instruction given.
The first need to be considered is by making sure the employees are enjoying the
implementation of 5S, this will makes the 5S system can be sustainable and
contributing to the successfulness of the implementation. If they are enjoying, they are
motivate to do something in return to the companies especially the implementation of
5S system.
Basic rules are making sure the employees are interested with the 5S system. Educate
them and lets them aware that the companies are serious about this thing. Give them
opportunity to participate towards this implementation by allowing them to voice up their
opinion. Another ways is by put up the suggestion box, anyone are freely to comment or
says something to improve the implementation of 5S anytime without anyone know. The
management also needs to open minded to hear all of the comments, suggestion,
opinion etc. This will create two ways communication between the management and
employees. They can channel up anything that in their mind either direct or indirect
channel.

Besides that, the company also should do aggressive promotional activities to ensure
the implementation of 5S is not only for a certain period only. This can be done through
plan properly the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly events of these 5S programs and
advertise it. This will make them aware about the activities and they know 5S are the
company system that they need to following up. The company also can put up the
posters or anything else to remind them about the 5S system. The company creates
one day for 5S day to show the commitment of company into 5S system and to keep the
system is running in the company. In this day all employees need to wear 5S shirt. The
company can design special shirt for this day and need to change every year. At the
shirt the company can put up the motto need to be achieved every year.

The commitments among the employees are the main issues that contributing to the 5S
success. In the 5S implementation it is impossible to achieve is it is involve one man
show. All of the employees need to participate and contributing something towards its
successfulness. The company need to encourage and the enforcement if the
employees are not showing their interested toward 5S. If the company organizes any
event involving 5S make sure all employees are participating either from top level to the
ordinary staff.
This is because if everyone in the company is participating this will motivate each others
to realize the 5S system and ensure the sustainable of 5S in the future. Cooperation
and commitment are important in the 5S system and anyone should know their roles in
the 5S system and done their responsibilities to ensuring the sustainable of 5S in the
company.

In the nut shell, to ensure all employees are participate in the 5S system is through
giving them rewards and incentives. They will be appreciable toward their hard work to
realize the 5S implementation in the company. If rewards or incentives will be given,
these must be on the basis that everyone celebrates and participates in success
together because all parts of the organization have achieved a shared target. Setting up
individual area rewards is dangerous, as it pits groups against one another and destroys
a team approach to enterprise-wide commitment to excellence.

Below are activities or progress can be implied at the company towards the 5S systems
in order to achieve the successfulness and sustaining it:

Sort – sort out what you don’t need (when in doubt, throw it out). Use the “Red Tagging”
tool to identify unneeded items during the sort phase of 5S. Listed on the red
tagged items:

• Item classification

• Item ID and quantity

• Reason for red tagging

• Work section

• Date
Take the red tag items to a removal location. Anyone can plead the case for the item to
stay. The team makes the final decision.

Set in order – organize what’s left so as to minimize wasted motion (a place for
everything, and everything in its place). Keep in mind how to place machines,
storage shelves, and equipment, and so on to reduce the waste of motion.

Shine (and Inspect) – Nothing raises a team’s spirit like a clean, well-ordered
workplace. This involves:

• What to clean

• How to clean

• Who will do the cleaning

• How clean is clean

• Develop checklists of what should be cleaned

• Cleaning responsibilities and schedules should be prominently posted

• 5S stations should be set up and stocked with cleaning supplies

Standardize – maintain the good condition by applying standards for sort to shine.

• Remember that the best standards are clear, simple, and visual.

• Effective standards make the out-of-standard condition obvious.

• Example: an office equipment board tells us

1. What equipment should be there

2. What equipment currently are there

3. Who has taken equipment and when they will return it.

Sustain – ensure that 5S develops deep roots through involvement. 5S must belong to
each team member through:

• Promotion and Communication (report boards, contests, 5S core group)

• Training

Source: Oakland University (Pawley Learning Institute)

These are the five stages of the understanding benefits of 5S and it can be as a
guideline for a company to implement of 5S systems in the company. If the employees
well understand the benefits of a 5S they will be more disciplined and know their roles
and responsibilities in order to make sure the sustainable of 5S systems in the
company. It also would be easy to instruct any continues improvement program towards
5S in the future. Below are the five stages of understanding benefits of 5S program that
the employees should be know. These five stages are described as follows:

Five stages of understanding the benefits of a 5S program

• Clean – People often assume that 5S is just cleaning up the work area. Cleaning a
work area is a good practice, but this is only the beginning of understanding a 5S effort.

• Standard – People soon learn that 5S is about making this improved work process a
standard work process and keeping it standard. This makes it easy to find things
because everything has a place and everything is always in that place. However, clean
and standard is just the beginning of understanding 5S.

• Improved – People then understand that 5S is about improving the standards for how
work is done. 5S challenges people to always be looking for better ways to organize
their work to make the work simple, visible, error-proof, and wasteless. When a better
way is found, it becomes the new standard. However, 5S is more than just clean,
standard, and improved.

• Visible – People understand that 5S is about making work more visible so that
workers can focus on their work and so that anything out of place “screams” for
immediate attention. A visual work area provides cues that help workers and
supervisors immediately know the current status of the system and quickly identify if
anything needs immediate attention.
• Disciplined – People finally understand that 5S is about developing and practicing a
highly disciplined mindset for how work is done. In this stage, workers wholeheartedly
embrace the concept and find that this discipline carries over into everything they do.

This is the suggested practical steps for implementing of a 5S program in the company,
through this practical steps company can enhance and advance the implementation of
5S and keep update the progress of 5S program in the company. These also show the
commitment of a company to realize the implementation of 5S in the company. It also
would be as a source to strengthen the already make 5S program in the company.

Implementing the sort step

• Take photos before you begin – Before implementing a 5S program, it is a good

idea to take photographs to document and encourage improvement.

• Identify low value items – Identify all excess items from work areas, including scrap,
old parts, unneeded supplies, duplicate supplies, personal items, and duplicate tools,
instruments, and equipment. A good rule of thumb is to identify and eliminate any items
that have not been used in the last three months. Recycle or throw away all items that
clearly have no value.
• Create red tags – Create a red tag for all items of possible value that are no longer
needed.
The red tag usually includes the current date, number of items, and the category.
Common red tag categories for a manufacturer include:
• Raw materials
• Work-in-process
• Finished goods
• Tools or fixtures
• Equipment
• Maintenance or MRO supplies
• Office equipment or supplies
• Other

• Move red tag items to the red tag area – Move red tag items into the red tag area to
be evaluated.

• Evaluate and dispose of red tag items – If items in the red tag area are not claimed
or sold after a month, discard or recycle them. Some firms use a green tag to indicate
that the item should definitely be kept and a yellow tag to indicate that no decision has
yet been made.

Implementing the set in order step

Remember that the key idea here is “a place for everything and everything in its place”
and that the goal is to make the work area simple, visible, error-proof, wasteless, and
standard.
• Organize the physical layout – Start by organizing the physical layout of the work
area to improve visibility and workflow and reduce wasted steps and motion. This might
include removing unnecessary doors, walls, and other barriers that inhibit visibility,
movement, or travel. For example, removing doors from cupboards is often a good way
to improve visibility and save time. Lay out the storage area along the wall to save
space. 5S generally requires that almost nothing touch the floor other than table legs
and equipment supports.

• Make proper use of carts, containers, and holders – Use carts, containers, and tool
holders to organize, move, and store tools, jigs, and measuring devices. Design storage
areas with a wide entrance and shallow depth. Do not stack items together. Use racks
and shelves when possible. Use small bins to organize small items. Use see-
through/transparent covers and doors for visibility.

• Locate items to reduce walking and motion – Move tools, supplies, materials, and
reference materials as close as possible to the point of use and make sure that the
items used most often are closest to the point of use. Store similar items together and
different items in separate rows.

• Make the area safe – Identify safety issues and mitigate all significant risks.

• Make the area standard and visible – Clearly label items, shelves, and other areas
to improve visibility. Use colors to quickly identify items. Use shadow boards for tools.
Paint the floor to indicate where larger pieces of equipment should be stored and where
people are to walk and not walk.
Implementing the shine step

It is often better to do the shine step before the set in order step. This is because it is
often better to clean and shine before putting things back in the work area.
• Clean – Sweep, wash, clean, and shine everything around the work area, including
the floor.

• Arrange cleaning materials – Practicing 5S means that all employees should have
their cleaning materials in a standard place close to the work area.

Implementing the standardize step

• Create the standard for the work area – This includes listing the items and the
number of items allowed in storage. This standard will be the basis for 5S audits.

• Implement across all units – This new standard should be implemented across all
units.

• Create a standard cleaning procedure – The standard cleaning procedure should

include a cleaning checklist and should be posted close to the work area. It should also
define how often the area will be cleaned.

• Be quick to revise the standards – It is important to not only have a standard, but to
update it as often as needed.
Implementing the sustain step

• Take and post “after” photos – One simple way to encourage participation and
improvement is to take photographs to document the improvement.

• Schedule regular audits – These audits should be done to provide accountability.

Many organizations make it “standard work” for supervisors to “scorecard” work areas at
least once per week. See the appendix for a suggested simple 5S scorecard.

• Learn from mistakes – When an area is found to be out of compliance with the 5S
standard, ask “why” five times to address the system of causes for the problem. For
example, people might have a bad habit of putting tools and papers on a table or desk
when they should instead immediately put them away.

• Empower people to change to a new standard as needed – With respect to quickly

changing standards, Bodek (2009) quotes Ohno, the former Vice President of
Production at Toyota Motor Corporation, “Something is wrong if workers do not look
each day, find things that are tedious or boring, and then rewrite the procedures. Even
last month’s manual should be out of date.” One healthcare worker reported that “Our
exam room was 5S’ed and they removed things that we need to keep in the room. I’d
like to bring the items back in, but I know that violates the 5S concept. I wish I knew who
to talk to about this.” This quote highlights the need to have involvement of the people in
the “gemba”6 to create the standard, one person who visibly “owns” the standard, and a
simple process for this person to change the standard as needed.

• Develop the culture – Ensure that 5S goes beyond just keeping the work area clean.
Begin to develop a disciplined culture of keeping the work area up to 5S standards at all
times. This involves developing the habit of always putting things back in the proper
place, making sure that everything is always in the right place, and removing items of
little or no value.
Source: Professor Arthur v. Hill
Chapter 5
Conclusion towards 5S Implementation and Sustainable
MACES had gone through the implementation and sustainable of 5S and everything is
well documented and planned an activities and programme to support the
implementation and sustainable of 5S. What MACES really needed to strengthen the
implementation and sustainable by adding newest approach to encourage the
involvement of employees towards this implementation and sustainable this programme
in the future. MACES need to establish clear methods and standards to make sure their
employees are known and clear about the mission and vision of MACES towards 5S.
Thus it can enhance awareness and the employees are known their responsibilities to
make sure the successfulness of 5S programme.

The outcome of an implementation of 5S can be seeing at MACES and lots of thing had
been changes into more productive and effective. Only for a certain part that needed to
be improve in term of team work, cooperation, awareness etc in order to sustaining the
implementation of 5S at MACES. To implement of 5S is not a one day jobs, it need to
consume lots of time to planned, implement and sustain it. Besides that 5S also not a
one man show work and it needed cooperation each employee to support the changes
of work culture to be better in the future. Without cooperation and team work this
implementation can stay for a certain period and it will be forgotten if any measures not
been taken to improve it.

The 5S is need to be improve every time as a benchmark for continues improvement

(Kaizen). So, the latest implementation into 5S is keep update and knowing what is the
latest scenario on the 5S systems. From this the rules and standard operation
procedure are always been up to date due to the current situation. This will enhance the
company performance and the employees will know about the latest trend or issues into
5S systems. It can be done in the form of monthly 5S newsletter announcement to let
the employees aware about it.