make it easy to find innovative tools, supplies, and
resources for your program.
Shop for Solutions by Step
Step 1
Sort Remove what the job doesn't need.
Excess tools, outdated paperwork and spare parts slow people down. 5S programs start by walking the area and removing everything that isn't used consistently to do the job.
5S red tags flag questionable items and record who tagged them and why, while a marked red tag holding area gives those items somewhere to wait until a decision is made. Lean manufacturing tools and posters help the team agree on what "needed" means.
Step 2
Set in Order Give every tool and lane a home.
With the clutter gone, arrange what's left so it's obvious where things live and when they're missing. Foam tool organizers and industrial pegboards give every tool a visible home and make a missing item stand out at a glance.
On the floor, floor marking tape and floor marking shapes define aisles, equipment parking zones and staging areas, so the layout stays organized and safe without constant supervision.
Step 3
Shine Keep it clean and keep it visible.
Cleaning is inspection. A bright floor line shows wear early; a clear workbench shows a leak before it becomes a problem. 5S markings and tape applicators keep floor marking crisp and easy to maintain.
Cleaning signs and industrial floor signs tell workers where supplies are kept, where waste goes and what "clean" looks like in each area, so visual communication does the reminding for you.
Step 4
Standardize Post the rule where the work happens.
Lock in the first three steps so they survive a shift change. LabelTac® label printers let you print durable 5S and safety labels on site, so every bin, drawer and shelf carries the same standard.
5S signs and whiteboards put procedures, schedules and metrics at the point of use rather than in a binder, keeping the facility from drifting back out of habit.
Step 5
Sustain Make the habit stick, shift after shift.
5S is a mindset, not a project. The results of the first four steps only last if every team member keeps engaging with them, long after the kickoff event is over.
5S posters and banners reinforce the message daily, lean training videos bring new hires up to speed, and 5S audit boards make scores visible so improvement becomes part of the routine.
Not sure which step you're on?
Score your area in ten minutes with the free 5S Audit Scorecard, or download the full 5S Guide for a 60-day plan.