Step 3: Shine

Step 3 of 5S is Shine, or “Seiso”, which translates to “cleanliness”. The first two steps cleared space and arranged the area for efficiency. This step tackles the dirt and grime that builds up under the clutter, and keeps it from coming back.^[1]

Japanese term

Seiso

Meaning

Cleanliness

Goal

Clean and inspect, every day

Habitual cleaning

Shine is more than occasional cleaning. It is routine, habitual cleaning that goes beyond weekly sweeps and wipe-downs, and beyond the cleaning and maintenance staff: each person takes ownership of their own area, equipment and tools. It is an empowering step that gives people control of their space.

A consistently clean area pays off in three ways:

1. Hazards stand outProblems and dangerous situations are easy to spot and deal with.
2. Gaps are obviousMissing or out-of-place items are recognized right away.
3. Equipment lastsRegular cleaning and inspection feed preventive maintenance and reduce emergency downtime.^[2]

Shining may not look like much compared to the first two steps, but without it their gains quickly fall apart and old habits creep back.

At our shop

Daily, weekly and monthly cleaning routines were built in as we implemented 5S, and it shows. Nobody has to be asked to clean any more; it just happens. Everyone owns their space and keeps it tidy, and the habit has spread through the whole organization, with every department helping keep Aerotex clean and shiny.