The 5S methodology consists in the adoption of five steps, at first sight , it seems very simple, in order to base the development of quality. The principles are:

• Seiri - Sort

• Seiton - Straighten, Set

• Seiso - Shine, Sweep

• Seiketsu - Standardize

• Shitsuke - Sustain

SEIRI - Sort

It has the sense directed to the materials, tools, equipment, data, etc. with balance and common sense. It proposes to separate the necessary and the useful from the unnecessary and the useless. The fate of things that have no usefulness is also taken into account. The results of the application of the Sense of Use are immediately evident.

• Better control of inventories

• Cost reduction

• Ease of cleaning and maintenance

• Increase safety by eliminating obstacles

• Increase the amount of available, useful space

• Preparation of the environment to apply the other concepts of 5S

• Reduce the chance of distraction by unnecessary items

• Reduce time loss looking for an item by reducing the number of items

• Simplify inspection

• Space gain

Implementation:

Check all items in a location and evaluate whether or not their presence at the location is useful or necessary.

Remove unnecessary items as soon as possible. Place those that cannot be removed immediately in a 'red tag area' so that they are easy to remove later on.

Keep the working floor clear of materials except for those that are in use to production.

Keeping unnecessary products or materials raises the costs of inventory control, insurance, hygiene, etc. and still has the potential to disrupt operations directly. The idea is to seek to make the most of available resources, without losing sight of common sense and balance, in order to avoid wastage and lack.

SEITON - Straighten, Set

The sense of organization can be interpreted as the importance of having all things available so that they can be accessed and used immediately. This sense is based on the principle that the order facilitates the localization of tools, materials and other essential items for the execution of a task, since it proposes an excellent system of visual communication for access to them.

To do this, you must set standards and use some very simple tools like panels, labels, shelves, among others. Everything should be very close to the place of use and each object must have its specific location. We can identify as results of the sense of organization:

• Time savings

• Easy to locate tools

• Reduction of unsafe points

• Make the workflow smooth and easy

Among other advantages, the "Seiton" sense provides better control of the stock, reduces the risks of double purchase and accidents. Other good points are the ease of detecting the "thieves" of time and providing a more adequate working layout.

Implementation:

Arrange work stations in such a way that all tooling / equipment is in close proximity, in an easy to reach spot and in a logical order adapted to the work performed. Place components according to their uses, with the frequently used components being nearest to the workplace.

Arrange all necessary items so that they can be easily selected for use. Make it easy to find and pick up necessary items.

Assign fixed locations for items. Use clear labels, marks or hints so that items are easy to return to the correct location and so that it is easy to spot missing items.

SEISO - Shine, Sweep

The most appropriate translation for the word "Seiso" is cleaning. This sense defines the importance of eliminating dirt, debris or even foreign or unnecessary objects from the work environment. It's about keeping the place clean. The sense of cleanliness can go beyond the physical aspect, also covering the personal relationship where a work environment is preserved where transparency, honesty, openness and respect prevail. The application of the cleaning sense results in:

• Healthy and pleasant environment

• Reduction of the possibility of accidents

• Better conservation of tools and equipment

• Improvement in interpersonal relationships

• Improves the production process efficiency and safety, reduces waste, prevents errors and defects.

• Keep the workplace safe and easy to work in.

• Keep the workplace clean and pleasing to work in.

• When in place, anyone not familiar to the environment must be able to detect any problems within 50 feet in 5 sec.

Directed towards the materials, seiso prega the cleaning routine and, above all, do not mess.

Implementation:

Clean the workplace and equipment on a daily basis, or at another appropriate (high frequency) cleaning interval.

Inspect the workplace and equipment while cleaning.

SEIKETSU - Standardize

Targeting people, the sense of standardization is translated into the fixation of patterns of colors, shapes, lighting, location, plates, noise, poorly signposted hazardous locations, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), ergonomic conditions, etc., defending the maintenance of favorable physical and mental conditions of work and healthy for the workers.

As it also covers the concept of health, it is important that the state of the work environment is verified, so that problems that affect the health of employees, such as ergonomic problems, lighting, ventilation, etc. are identified. This sense has as main purpose to maintain the first 3 S '(selection, ordering and cleaning) so that they do not get lost. The main results of the application of this concept are:

• Easy localization and identification of objects and tools;

• Physical and mental balance;

• Improvement of common areas (bathrooms, dining rooms, etc);

• Improved safety conditions.

• Establish procedures and schedules to ensure the repetition of the first three ‘S’ practices.

Implementation:

Develop a work structure that will support the new practices and make it part of the daily routine.

Ensure everyone knows their responsibilities of performing the sorting, organizing and cleaning.

Use photos and visual controls to help keep everything as it should be.

Review the status of 5S implementation regularly using audit checklists.

SHITSUKE - Sustain

The last step of the 5S program is defined by compliance and personal commitment to previous steps, where standardization is essential for quality. This sense is composed of the ethical and moral standards of each individual. As can be seen, the 5S tool acts through the education of the members of the organization. Its implementation, if done correctly, entails a profound change of behavior of the people who work in the company. Facing a self-disciplined environment about 5S principles, it is possible to have:

• Better quality, productivity and safety at work

• Pleasant daily work

• Improvement in human relations

• Valorization of the human being

• Compliance with operational and administrative procedures

• Ensure that the 5S approach is followed.

Implementation:

Organize training sessions.

Perform regular audits to ensure that all defined standards are being implemented and followed.

Implement improvements whenever possible. Worker inputs can be very valuable for identifying improvements.

When issues arise, identify their cause and implement the changes necessary to avoid recurrence.

Coexistence with the five senses presented leads individuals to better understand their role within an organization and makes them part of the pyramid of results achieved, giving rise to the awareness that one must be disciplined even when there are no charges. Therefore, Quality Programs have helped companies in the process of continuous improvement of products or services, mainly through cultural change, in order to obtain the necessary competitive advantage that will be collected in the short, medium and long term.