The third phase of 5s is “Shine.” This is the one step in 5s that doesn't really require someone to decode or transliterate it for you. Shine is simply put, just clean it! You don't need an engineering degree or a certification to be able to teach "clean" but you do need to be proficient in this step if you want to be successful. There are really two sub-phases of the Shine phase. They are the initial deep clean and then the everyday “clean-as-you-go” facet.
The initial deep clean...Think white glove!
When you hear the phrase white glove cleaning, most people think of meticulous, painstaking, immaculate, attention to detail scrubbing. The shine phase is about deep cleaning, anything less is just considered "straightening up". When performing the initial clean keep these things in mind:
- Clean thoroughly from top to bottom! Make sure you clean all floors, walls, windows, furniture, light fixtures, etc.
- Don't just clean around items, get under them. Get into the corners of everything even machinery (*please consult maintenance and use proper lock out/tag out procedures when cleaning industrial machinery.)
- Clean every horizontal surface, even the tops of cabinets and shelves.
- Scrub! Don't just wipe things down, put some work into it.
- Things should seem "like new", so apply a fresh coat of paint to floors, walls, or rails if needed.
- If something looks too worn, replace it!
- Make sure to clean the tools you use everyday and inspect them for safety while you are cleaning them to make sure they are working properly.
- Consider replacing light bulbs with brighter light fixtures. It's easier to see dirt and grime with more light.
I would recommend developing a checklist before you start cleaning. By developing a checklist as a team, you can divide tasks more easily and audit your work when you are finished. Give everyone a pad of paper and something to write with, then have them walk around in groups of two and make a list of the things they see that need to be cleaned. I like to have an easel with a pad that you can transcribe everyone's suggestions and post it near the work area while they are cleaning. While you are capturing everyone's suggestions from heir lists, use this activity to brainstorm what might be missing from the group's master list. Once your team has completed everything on their list, take several pictures to define what the new “Shine” standard is for the area.
The everyday “clean-as-you-go” phase...Think Now!
I first learned “clean-as-you-go” when I was a kid working at McDonald's. The reason why they emphasize this is firstly, food sanitation. Everyone likes their food prepared in a clean environment. But the other main reason is because Ray Croc understood standard work. He understood that if I kept a clean environment, I could more easily detetct problems.
When you perform little shine steps everyday as you are performing your tasks you create an environement where work can be done safely. Employees in a bright and clean workspace can detect issues before they become problems. By keeping the area clean throughout the day, you can make closing time a whole lot easier because you don’t have to devote a massive effort to bringing the workspace back to what is the new standard.
This won’t work where I work...Think Customer!
If you think you can’t keep your area clean as you go I would suggest you think about hospital operating rooms or flight lines where jet fighter aircraft are built. During my time in North Carolina I had the opportunity to see the shop floor of many of the leading NASCAR teams’ race shops. Almost every floor was painted white or light gray so you could see dirt easily and they were spotless. I would have eaten a meal off of them with my family looking at a race car two feet away!
Keeping these areas clean is a critical aspect of their environment, lives depend upon it. If you were a fighter pilot would you get into a plane built in a grimey, undisciplined environment? These groups have built their systems and processes keeping absolute clean in mind. They have cleaning supplies located in a designated spot, clearly labeled, close to the work area. They also have clearly designated spots for waste. In the hospital, bins for biological waste are clearly marked. In the flight line or race shop there is a place to dispose of oily rags. Whenever a problem does present itself in regards to cleanliness, these teams quickly root cause the source of the problem and solve it.
If your customer saw the condition of where you work, would they still buy your product or service? If the answer is “NO” then take action and turn “NO” into “NOW”! Get a team together, make a list, and go shine. After your team creates the environment that you and your customer desires, take a picture and take daily action to keep it there. For more information about implementing 5s go to www.e5saudit.com.
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