What is workplace organisation?

Workplace organisation, a common sense and obvious factor in any organization, really only became a systematic tool for increasing efficiency with the development of the 5S.

The 5 Japanese S’s Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke can be roughly translated into English as Sift, Sort, Sweep, Sustain and Self-discipline and they describe the 5 stages of the process. They are regarded as the 5 pillars of the visual workplace. The 5S have a broad application, from complex manufacturing facilities right through to the simplest of clerical operations. They are now used world-wide to some degree or another in most large and medium sized organisations.

Workplace Organisation

POLICY STATEMENT: Workplace Organisation is the safe, clean, and orderly arrangement of the workplace that provides a specific location for everything and eliminates anything that is not required.

PURPOSE: To make “Out of Standard” conditions readily visible and therefore support quick decision making and problem solving at the worksite.

There are other English translations used to describe the same stages of the 5Ss, such as:

• Sort
• Straighten
• Sweep
• Standardise
• Sustain

As well as the 5Cs:

• Clearout
• Configure
• Clean and check
• Conformity
• Custom and practice