Working in Japan, a country renowned for its discipline and high level of organization, requires you to change bad habits such as messiness, carelessness, and sloppiness to avoid negatively impacting the overall work. 5S, a work method established by the Japanese, will be an effective tool to help you integrate easily and build trust in the workplace.
1. WHAT IS 5S?
5S is the fundamental basis for implementing a quality assurance system. It stems from the perspective that working in a healthy, clean, spacious, and convenient environment leads to greater comfort and higher productivity.
- SEIRI (Sorting): This involves examining, classifying, selecting, and removing unnecessary items from the workplace. Essential tools, equipment, and materials should be labeled with a "red" tag.
- SEITON (Arrangement): This involves organizing and arranging everything neatly and logically for easy and quick use, minimizing search time, and eliminating unnecessary actions that waste time.
- SEISO (Cleanliness): This involves maintaining cleanliness in the workplace, machinery, and equipment to ensure a clean and aesthetically pleasing work environment.
- SEIKETSU (Maintenance): This involves consistently maintaining what has been done and continuously improving the workplace to achieve higher efficiency.
- SHITSUKE (Discipline): This involves educating people to be conscious and to develop a habit of strictly adhering to workplace regulations.
Make good practices a habit and publicly display the results of the 5S evaluation.
2. BENEFITS OF 5S WORK
♦ When implementing 5S:
- Unnecessary items are removed from the workplace;
- Necessary items are neatly arranged and placed in convenient locations for users;
- Machinery and equipment become clean, well-maintained, and properly cared for.
5S activities enhance team spirit, foster harmony among employees, and lead to a positive, responsible, and conscientious work attitude.
♦ Workplace:
- Becomes cleaner and more organized, encouraging innovation and improvement, and promoting work discipline.
- Supportive conditions are always readily available for work.
- The workplace becomes more convenient and safer.
♦ Easy and Convenient
- Saves time during work, creates an open and positive work environment, thereby significantly increasing productivity.
- A tidy, clean, and safe workplace; an open team atmosphere; and an enthusiastic work spirit – these are the benefits that 5S skills bring you.
The philosophy of 5S is simple and doesn't require knowledge of complex terminology. On the other hand, it's human nature to prefer a clean, comfortable, and safe workplace.
Source: vietpower
