5S Audit Checklists

In addition, a 5S checklist can aid an organization in gaining the 5S principles’ major long-term benefits:

• Safety and security
• Waste elimination
• Increased efficiency
• Low implementation cost for high-impact performance
• Development of a collaborative mindset among co-workers

In this article

• What is 5S Audit?
• Benefits of Performing 5S Audits
• Why Should You Use a Checklist for 5S Audits?
• What to Include in this Checklist
• 3 Simple Steps to Implement 5S in Your Workspace
• Increase Team Efficiency Through 5S Training
• FAQs about 5s Audit
• Perform Efficient 5S Audits with SafetyCulture
• Featured 5S Audit Checklists

What is 5S Audit?

The 5S audit is the systematic approach to identifying improvement opportunities in the workplace. It generally observes the proper implementation of 5S in the work area which stands for the 5 steps of this methodology—Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Systematize), Seiso (Shining), Seiketsu (Standardizing), and Shitsuke (Sustaining). Conducting 5S audits can help ensure that the workplace consistently follows a proper procedure and becomes more efficient.

Benefits of Performing 5S Audits

The 5S system strives to eliminate workplace chaos and improve worker productivity. By adopting these practices, businesses will benefit from greater cost savings with higher employee performance quality. An organized work environment also contributes to increased safety and improved employee morale. 

Implementing this system requires periodic audits to ensure all employees and work areas follow them. Carrying out 5S audits is key to reinforcing these standards consistently in the organization. With the help of these checks, organizations can:

• Identify and eliminate activities that don’t add value to the operations 
• Standardize work processes and procedures for better efficiency
• Detect and resolve potential safety hazards in the workplace
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and organization in workspaces
• Increase employee engagement through involvement in 5S activities

Implementing the 5S system may appear small and trivial at first, but these small changes, when repeated over time, will eventually lead to bigger results. These changes, in turn, will greatly benefit a company’s bottom line. This system can also be used with other methods and systems, such as the 5W1H method. 

Why Should You Use a Checklist for 5S Audits?

Checklists play an essential role in ensuring a consistent and effective auditing process for 5S principles. It supports the organization’s efforts to achieve and sustain 5S excellence in the workplace.

Aside from this, here are 5 great reasons why you should start using 5S audit checklist templates:

1. Standardization – A 5S checklist gives auditors a standardized framework for the auditing procedure. A handy outline of criteria, requirements, and expectations for each of the 5S elements ensures all audits are performed the same way throughout the organization, regardless of who performs the process.
2. Focus and Structure – A checklist provides a step-by-step guide on carrying out 5S evaluations. With a structured approach to 5S audits, auditors can assess different work areas consistently without missing critical points.
3. Comprehensive Coverage – A well-designed checklist covers all the salient aspects of 5S implementation, as it lists the key items, tasks, and behaviors to be evaluated during the audit. It ensures that no important areas are overlooked and that any potential deficiencies are captured.
4. Documentation – Auditors can use checklists to record their observations, findings, and recommendations during the audit process. They not only provide a historical trail of audit results but also serve as reference points for tracking progress and following up on corrective actions.
5. Continuous Improvement – With the help of checklists, organizations can boost their 5S efforts, which can lead to improved operational performance and better productivity. 

What to Include in this Checklist

5S checklists are a valuable resource for carrying out 5S audits in the workplace. Before you start creating your own checklist, it’s important to know the basic things to include. This way, you can easily customize it according to the needs of your organization.

Here’s a quick rundown of the essential items to cover in your 5S audit checklist:

Sort 

• Make sure that only the required tools, equipment, furniture, spare parts, and materials are present in the work area.
• Clear away all tripping hazards, such as equipment cables and electrical wires, around the vicinity of places designated for walking, standing, and working.

Set in Order

• The equipment, machinery, and furniture are clearly labeled with number, name, or color tags and placed in an easily identifiable location.
• The tools are stored at appropriate heights and in areas that users or operators can easily reach.
• The locations for containers, boxes, bins, and works in progress (WIPs) are marked via signs or taped lines.
• The paperwork is properly labeled and kept away from working spaces.
• Work areas requiring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are identifiable with floor tape, safety signs, or other labels.
• Stop switches and breakers can easily be seen and accessible in emergencies.
• Fire extinguishers, hoses, and other emergency equipment are displayed without obstructions.
• The following floors or aisles are marked with floor tape or paint:
  • Forklift lanes
  • Exits
  • Dangerous areas
  • Paths of egress
  • Walkways
• Anti-fatigue mats are placed wherever applicable.
• Other safety signages are displayed in highly visible areas. 
• The workspace layout facilitates easy, unobstructed exits in case of emergency.
• The emergency exit route is posted in a conspicuous location for everyone to see.

Shine

• Work areas, walls, partitions, and rails are kept clean and freshly painted.
• Floors are free from dirt, debris, fluids, empty boxes, and other obstructions.
• Paperwork is neat and protected from dirt and other contaminants.
• Containers, boxes, and bins are clean and not cracked, torn, or damaged.
• When stored, these containers are neatly stacked in their designated location.
• All PPE is maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.
• When not in use, all PPE is stored in an easily accessible and labeled location.
• All cleaning equipment is neatly stored and readily available when needed.
• All equipment safety-related warnings, signs, labels, floor lines, and more are all clean, easy to read, and damage-free.
• Schedules are posted at specific locations, indicating the frequency, duration, and responsibilities to clear workplace areas, such as the following:
  • Windows
  • Corners
  • Walls
  • Doors
  • Tops of cabinets
  • Other nooks and crannies

Standardize

• Tools, equipment, furniture, and paperwork are stored tidily in the correct areas and returned to their designated locations immediately after use.
• Equipment maintenance logs clearly state when the maintenance last occurred.
• Product waste (e.g., shavings, containers, liquids, wrappers) is consistently and regularly cleaned up and removed from workspaces.
• Preventative measures have been implemented to ensure the workplace meets 5S guidelines.
• The work environment, including the ones listed below, meets the requirements of the work being performed:
  • Lighting brightness and color
  • Temperature
  • Airflow and air quality
• The results of the previous audit are posted and clearly visible to the entire team.
• The areas for improvement identified in the previous audit have been addressed and completed.

Sustain

• A member of the management team has participated in a 5S activity, such as an audit, within the past 3 audit periods.
• Due recognition is given to teams involved in 5S activities.
• Time and resources are allocated to 5S activities (e.g., designated daily or weekly clean-up time, 5S team leader).
• All operators, team leaders, and supervisors are assigned 5S activities to be completed at least once a week.
• The team has taken the initiative to make improvements in the workplace that were not identified during the last audit.

3 Simple Steps to Implement 5S in Your Workspace

According to the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME), 5S is a thought process designed to resolve a type of problem that occurs throughout a business. The global organization for enterprise performance improvement challenges companies to apply the 5S tool accordingly. Here is how you can generally implement it in 3 simple steps:

Step #1: Make a Plan

Work through each step of the 5S principles and make a habit of doing the following during planning:

• Visualize the work area
• Look for waste
• Look for the root cause of every problem
• Develop standards
• Repeat the process

Step #2: Bring Action

Implement 5S in your organization by assigning a trained employee or a team of workers to do the following on a weekly basis:

1. Take a photo of your workplace’s current status.
2. Sort items needed and to be disposed of. Determine the item’s frequency of use (daily, monthly, or never) and if it’s still essential or defective and outdated.
3. Organize and group items according to use and function. You may also add labels and apply a color coding scheme for easy sorting.
4. Clean the workspace. Remove items that cause dirt, contamination, and filth.
5. Conduct an audit to review items you weren’t able to deal with that day, including items you found difficult to classify or tag for disposal. Establish an action plan (e.g., selling, donating, recycling, or throwing away items) for items that need to be disposed of.
6. For review purposes, take a photo of the workspace after implementing changes.

Step #3: Monitor

As one of the core principles of Kaizen, area supervisors or plant managers should do a monthly and quarterly audit to ensure that 5S standards are being met. Regular audits also help keep track of items and equipment so you can determine whether they need repairs or if something is missing.

Increase Team Efficiency Through 5S Training

Following the 5S principles can help organizations streamline processes and improve their bottom line. But in order to accomplish this, everyone in the workplace must understand the ins and outs of the 5S Lean system. 

It takes an excellent 5S training program to ensure that a workforce is contributing responsibly to a Lean business operation without risking their health and safety. While often ignored, this training is highly valuable to almost any industry. 

Integrate 5S training into your daily operations through SafetyCulture’s Training feature. This feature allows you to customize and deploy 5S training courses that your employees can complete on mobile devices. These courses cover topics such as the history of the 5S system, its five pillars, the importance of its implementation, and how it can be applied at work.