6-S Workplace Organization

The 6-S System is a series of activities designed to achieve an overall improvement in efficiency, product quality, satisfaction of employees and mitigation of safety risks. 6-S is often thought of as the foundation for continuous improvement. While traditionally considered only applicable in a manufacturing environment, it is highly relevant for non-manufacturing operations as well. It is important to not only understand 6-S but to also know how to put it into place in your organization.

Participants will learn how to apply the six activities that are at the core of the 6-S System:

• Sorting – Evaluating the need for items currently located in the targeted area and removing unnecessary items

• Setting in Order – Arranging the necessary items in the most logical and most efficient configuration

• Shine – Cleaning the selected area and learning to use cleaning as a means of inspection

• Standardization – Creating uniformity in the way work within the targeted area is performed

• Sustainment – Creating accountability for the preservation and continuance of the 6-S System

• Safety – NEPIRC added the final activity of Safety to this program and takes the approach that safety should be built-in to each work area and that it is every worker’s responsibility to identify, correct and report any and all unsafe work conditions they encounter

Topics covered include:

• How to perform a Workplace Scan

• How to create and use a Red Tag System

• How to effectively use Visual Management to control behavior.

• How to “right size” Work In Process (WIP).

• How to effectively use triggers to replenish material