5S

Scope

Definition

5S keeps every work area sorted, organised and clean, the same way in every center, every day.

Applicable to
  • Everyone, every role
  • Every area: treatment rooms, consult rooms, reception, store, pantry and staff areas

Why it matters

Sk why
  • Clients see it. A tidy room says "premium and safe" before we say a word.
  • Clean is safe. Clutter hides dirt, expired products and broken tools.
  • No searching. Every item has one place, the same in every center, so treatments start on time.

Never

Sk rule
  • Sort or red tag clinical waste, such as used needles and blood-stained items. Follow Biomedical waste.
  • Use an expired or undated product, even to finish it.

How it works

Always in this order. Sort first, or you end up organising clutter.

skill-5s-steps.svg

Sk steps
Sort

Remove what is not needed here.

Set in order

Give everything a fixed, labelled place.

Shine

Clean, and check while cleaning.

Standardise

Set up every room the same way, in every center.

Sustain

Make it a daily habit.

Example

Getting ready for a medi-facial. Same room, same client, 2 ways.

Step Without 5S With 5S
Sort Phone and water bottle on the trolley. 3 open serums, no dates. Phone in the locker. Undated serums shown to the Center Manager.
Set in order Searching 3 drawers for cotton pads. Cotton pads in the labelled drawer, same place as in every room.
Shine Trolley wiped after the client is already on the bed. Trolley wiped and checked before the client walks in.
Standardise Room set up "my way". The next practitioner cannot find things. Room matches the standard photo. Anyone can work in it.
Sustain Mess left for the morning shift. 5-minute reset at the end of the day. Pads refilled.
Result Client waits 10 minutes and sees a messy room. Client walks into a calm, ready room. Treatment starts on time.

Good practice

Sk tips
  • Make it visual. Use labels, outlines and colours, so anyone sees at a glance where things go and what is missing.
  • Keep it small and daily. A few minutes every day keeps the area right. One big cleaning day does not last.
  • Build it together. Ask the people who work in the area to plan the layout. People keep up what they helped to make.
  • Check inside too. Open drawers and cupboards in every check, not only the surfaces you see.
  • Show the progress. Share the result of the weekly 5S check with the team, and praise what got better.

Training

Sk train
  • By: Trainer, on the job
  • How: Read this note. Then watch a trained colleague, and reset your own area with the Trainer.
  • Time: VERIFY: time to Independent
  • Sign-off: The Trainer checks your area against the standard photo, every week
  • Material: Coming soon
Sk levels
  • Observe You watch a trained colleague do the end-of-day reset and the weekly 5S check. A colleague shows you
  • Assist You sort and reset your own area. The Trainer checks each time
  • Supervised Your area matches the standard photo every day. The Trainer checks every week
  • Independent Your area stays to standard without reminders, and you coach others. No check needed

Words to know