“Setting in order” means arranging equipment in a way that promotes efficient workflow while “Shining” is the principle behind keeping the workplace clean and uncluttered.
“Standardising” refers to the need to keep all work practices consistent. And “Sustaining” means that all these procedures need to be maintained on a day-to-day basis.
“When equipment is stored in the same place, staff become more productive and are less likely to waste time hunting around the premises for what they require.”
The 5S system makes perfect sense since once it is in place, all operatives will know at once where to find the tools and equipment they require and where they should replace these items after use in readiness for the next user. The model also improves the appearance of the workshop which will quickly become less cluttered under the system. And it will also dramatically reduce the time spent hunting around for equipment.
Not surprisingly the 5S methodology has struck a chord with companies worldwide and is being used extensively in manufacturing environments around the globe. However, the model is not always applied to the use of industrial wipers as a matter of routine.
Wiping and cleaning cloths are an integral part of any industrial environment and should be treated in the same way as any other tools and equipment. Even when materials and components have been set in order there may be a need to wipe one’s greasy hands in a hurry or clean up a spill from the floor.
If rags are used for this purpose, they will probably be kept in a large bag of mixed rags which means the operative will have to walk to one centrally-placed ragbag to find a textile – a task that could take several minutes. If the rags have not been sorted before use it could take several more minutes to pick out a cloth that is sufficiently large and absorbent for the task in hand.
Since rags are not thrown away after use they tend to be left lying around on worktops where they will create an impression of disorder and may conceal other equipment beneath them. Rags soaked with solvents or other chemicals can also represent a health hazard if operatives breathe in the fumes from the cloth.
Where disposable wipers are used, a loose roll may be picked up from a nearby work surface. Or then again, it may not – particularly if someone else has recently used it to clean up a spill elsewhere. Disposable wipers on a loose roll can quickly become misplaced, pilfered or soiled by industrial fluids which will then make them unusable.
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So the use of rags and loose wiper rolls work directly against the 5S principle.
Wiping tasks tend to be urgent since any floor spill could become a hazard while soiled hands could go on to contaminate other equipment. So it is important that appropriate wiping and cleaning products are kept close at hand to allow any clean-ups to be dealt with swiftly and efficiently.
Installing a system of disposable wipers in easy-to-locate, fixed positions supports the 5S approach since this will ensure that all wiping products are ready to use at the point of delivery.
A smart dispensing system for wipers and cloths will help to “sort” the environment and remove the need for abandoned rags and loose wiper rolls to be left lying around on the work surfaces.
If they are positioned in the right locations for optimum workflow these wiper dispensers will “set in order” the premises and help to improve productivity. Eye-catching dispensers that are either wall-mounted or placed in easy-to- spot positions will become a familiar sight for operatives who will automatically head for them when they need a wiper, reducing the amount of time spent away from their work bay.
A cohesive dispenser system will also improve the appearance of the workshop and provide a “shining”, uncluttered image. Tork Performance dispensers, for example, have a striking red/ smoke housing that makes them easy for staff to spot while also helping to “shine” the surroundings.
Meanwhile, the fact that all disposable wipers are clean and ready for use – unlike rags which may contain zippers or other fasteners - will help to “standardise” work practices in an industrial environment. Both productivity and employee morale can be improved if “standardisation” takes the form of situating equipment in fixed positions. When equipment is stored in the same place, staff become more productive and are less likely to waste time hunting around the premises for what they require.
Ensuring that the floor stays clear of clutter through standardised, streamlined processes will also result in fewer spills while reducing the risk of accidents.
Sustaining any new initiative can be a challenge, but regular audits will help to keep the workforce on track. And once wiper dispensers have become familiar sights in the workshop their regular use will be incorporated into the operative’s working day and become “sustained”.
So a cohesive system of disposable wipers is an essential element of any 5S workplace. Ready-to-use wipers teamed with smart dispensing systems will make the workplace more attractive and allow it to run more efficiently. And the fact that waste will be reduced and productivity will increase means the bottom line of the business can only benefit.
The Tork Performance dispensing system from Essity can be used to house a wide range of Tork industrial products both for general wiping and for specialist cleaning tasks.
www.tork.co.uk/getdetailed INDUSTRIAL CLEANING | 39
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