Consultants and Mentors in World Class Manufacturing

Workplace Organisation, 5S, and Risk Assessment


The 5S programme is about improving workplace effectiveness, ie performance by organising the workplace such that only the necessary tools and materials are kept in the workplace, and they are kept in the most appropriate place for efficient working. Essentially ‘a place for everything, and everything in it’s place’.


The 5 S’ are as follows:


Step                               English                                           Japanese

Step 1                   Sorting                                            Seiri                  (整)

Step 2                   Straighten or Set in Order            Seiton               (整)

Step 3                   Sweeping                                       Seiso                (清)

Step 4                   Standardizing                                Seiketsu           ( 清)

Step 5                   Sustaining                                      Shitsuke            (躾)


However, when you take a step back and look at the overall process, you will see that it does reduce risk for everyone who might visit the area. Clean, clear areas, well marked out using visual management practises, and consistently kept in this state.

The documentation should be at a standard that satisfies any risk assessor, auditor, or inspector, thus making increased profit from legislation compliance, and satisfying my philosophy of doing a job once, but doing it right.


Want to learn more? Keep visiting the TPM++ website, or call me on 077669 10835


Brian Burgess, Principal Consultant, TPM++  brian@tpmplus.co.uk


5S