What would happen to the 5S’s without Sustain (discipline)? The
possibilities are endless, but here are a few that come to mind:
No matter how often the 5S ‘ s were implemented, 5S conditions
would fall apart in no time and the workplace would be dirty and
chaotic again.
Unneeded items would begin to pile up as before.
Tools, brooms, shovels, dies, etc. would not get returned to
their proper place and we would be forced to run all over the
place trying to find them..
No matter how dirty equipment became, little or nothing would
be done to clean it.
Team members would neglect to wear safety equipment or leave
things on the floor and an injury would occur.
Dirty machines would start to malfunction and produce
defective parts.
Dirt from the floor would spread to the work area itself and
cause defects.
Dark, dirty, disorganized work areas would lower morale.
Customers would become disgusted by the dirty conditions and
look for someone else to do their products.
These 5S related problems and others are likely to occur in a
workplace that lacks ‘discipline’.
So, how do we maintain 5S, we must demonstrate ‘discipline’ or
‘sustain’. It means to make a habit of properly maintaining correct
procedures over time. When you see something out of place, correct
it. When you have an assignment complete it and have it in on time.
When you see an area that needs a 5S event, have it.
When we all decide that we are really wanting to work in a safe
environment, that is clean, well organized, efficient, and fun we
use all the tools of 5S. So lets make TDC a ‘world class’ company by
demonstrating ‘discipline’.
