6S: Safety

6S is the additional sixth pillar to the 5S methodology, a Lean concept that focuses on improving organization and efficiency in the workplace.

First developed by Hiroyuki Hirano of the Toyota Motor Company, the steps of 5S are defined as:

The sixth S stands for Safety and has recently become a new aspect to the 5S method. Issues with safety can be very wasteful and cause delays or defects in the production process, so implementing a safety program can enhance an organization’s 5S success. To do this, many companies regard safety as having an integral role within each of the five steps; although it is listed at the bottom, Safety is not often regarded as its own individual step at the very end and instead is commonly applied throughout 5S.

6S can be beneficial to a wide variety of industries. Although it is mainly used in manufacturing, it has helped health care facilities, offices, and repair facilities increase their overall efficiency and reduce waste. The concept is not just about cleaning your workspace; it’s an entire framework that emphasizes specific tools and cultivates a certain mindset in order to achieve efficiency, while practicing safety at every step along the way. Using this methodology requires the participation and ongoing effort of each worker, no matter what their role is within the business. Once 6S becomes a daily habit for everyone, your facility is well on its way to becoming more efficient, productive, and safe.

Tips for Implementing Safety into the 5S Framework

Safety plays an essential role in 5S, since it’s a key component to a variety of work practices. By cleaning regularly, organizing materials, and implementing standardized procedure, you make it safer for workers to navigate the worksite and perform their jobs.

Here are a few tips to emphasize safety in each of the five steps:

The 6S Argument: Should It be an Individual Pillar?

There is some controversy and confusion surrounding 6S and its place within the 5S concept. The ultimate goal of adding Safety as a sixth pillar is to eliminate risks and hazards throughout the 5S process. However, many people argue that practicing safety is already an inherent part to much of 5S, especially within the Set in Order and Shine steps, and it does not need individual focus. Additionally, with compliance to safety standards set by OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, and others, protection against injuries and illnesses is a large aspect to the workplace and a safety pillar/standard may be redundant.

Some Lean professionals choose to leave out Safety when they implement 5S programs into their workplaces, mainly because they do not wish to cause confusion and make workers think that Safety is a separate step that doesn’t need to be considered until all the other 5S pillars are addressed, due to the fact that Safety is often listed last. Others believe that 5S and safety are most effective when they are kept simple and separate, with the purpose of each clearly distinct.

To determine whether implementing 6S in your workplace and adding that sixth pillar is the right call for your facility specifically, take into consideration the work culture you currently have and the culture you are attempting to create. While practicing safety can indeed promote efficiency and reduce waste, it may also lead to lost time and reduced efficiency, if, for example, you work in an office environment or other type of workplace that does not typically experience a high occurrence of hazards.

Could your workplace benefit from 6S? Are there ways you could use Safety to not only protect workers, but increase productivity and performance within your facility overall? Safety can be an essential component to the 5S methodology, but since every workplace is different, it may take some trial and error before you find the best way to implement this concept in your situation.