The project team has already identified six pilot units at the plant for 5S tools implementation, drawn up detailed plans for each of them and designed an overall roadmap.
The deployment leaders have received their internal trainer certificates in 5S and visual management and they have already begun instructing their colleagues on lean manufacturing tools.
The practical roll-out started in the blower section of the sulfuric acid department. The employees completed a set of measures to organize the workspace:
- marked out routes for people and machinery;
- designated storage and quarantine areas;
- highlighted hazardous areas with safety marks;
- painted equipment foundations;
- tidied up the site’s internal and surrounding areas.
The event saw active participation, including the plant’s senior management and production unit heads.
This initial practical experience has shown that 5S principles are quickly gaining traction with the team. Lean manufacturing is a unified approach across the Company’s sites, uniting employees from various countries around a common goal – to create safe, comfortable and efficient workplaces.
What is 5S?
5S is a workplace organization and rationalization system. It is one of the basic tools of lean manufacturing. The goal of the system is to eliminate chaos, reduce time loss and create a safe, clean and efficient work environment.
Sort: separate necessary items from unnecessary ones to eliminate clutter and free up valuable workspace.
Set in Order: arrange essential items systematically so they are easy to find, use, and return.
