Does Safety Begin with an S?

Lean is Systematic

On a daily basis, I continue to be impressed by the people I meet that have a deep understanding of lean as the systematic elimination of waste. These experts understand that the 5 principles of lean are systematic and you must apply them in the proper sequence, one after the other. You must specify value, identify value streams, create flow, leverage pull, and then seek perfection.

There is no debate on the principles of lean; the experts know what needs to be done. It does not work if you leverage pull before you specify value.

The 5S System is Systematic

The same systematic approach also applies to many of the concepts found in the lean tool box. Value stream mapping, change-over reduction, and the 5S system are all systematic and you must apply them in their own unique proper sequence. The 5S system is famous for being effective in the simplicity of following five systematic steps.

You must sort, stabilize, shine, standardize, and sustain in the prescribed sequence. It does not work if you standardize before you sort.

Is Safety Another S?

A challenge to the 5S system has arisen in that some people do not fully appreciate how systematic approaches are the key to successful lean initiatives. Some of these people claim that “safety” should be added as the sixth S. This claim fails to recognize that safety is not a systematic step. While very important, safety cannot be listed before, between, or after any of the proper steps in the 5S system.

Now, I am willing to listen to a good argument and I have heard quite a few cases pleading for the sixth S of safety. These arguments all rely upon three undisputed facts:

1. Safety starts with an S
2. Safety is important
3. Safety feels like it fits with sort, stabilize, shine, standardize, and sustain

The above are three good points, but the argument for the sixth S of safety ignores three other facts that are undisputed by lean experts:

1. Lean is the systematic elimination of waste
2. The 5S system is a systematic program from the lean tool box
3. There are thousands of words that start with an S and fit with sort, stabilize, shine, standardize, and sustain.

Conclusion

In my assessment, the 5S system should remain a systematic program that requires the sequential application of each step. In the spirit of continuous improvement, I have increased my awareness of safety as important throughout all the steps in the 5S system. I have not limited safety to something that is done as a specific step; it is important all the time.

Additional Information

Contact our team at Transformance Advisors for information on how you can leverage the five principles of lean and the systematic elimination of waste to improve service and reduce costs. Please send an email to lean@emailta.com.