What is 5S and Why is it Important?

Cleaning is paramount to keeping your food and operations free from contamination, and the tools you use for this greatly impact how protected your food is. It is also key to securing audit compliance and meeting food safety standards. 
 
However, If your tools are not stored and cared for correctly, they can become a contamination risk. This is where 5S Storage Solutions have been designed for the industry. Meaning Sort, Set, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain, it is a globally practiced storage system to maintain both tool and facility hygiene.  
Implementing or refreshing your 5S can feel like a big step, so let’s start with why it’s so important and some of the potential consequences. 

 
Could your cleaning tools be harmful? 

• Are your tools used in the wrong application? Cleaning equipment should be sufficiently marked to what area it’s designated. For instance, floor equipment should not contact surface equipment. Consider how you overcome language barriers too if your workforce is diverse.
• Are you frequently re-ordering lost tools? Items not returned to their proper location means it could be causing contamination in a different area, or worse, lost in the production line. 
• Do you have appropriate storage? Equipment should be stored away from the floor, machinery, benches, and drains. If your equipment is currently stored in these areas, it is at risk of contamination. 
• Is there a consistent storage location? It is difficult to do regular hygiene and maintenance assessments if equipment isn’t always stored the same way. 
• How much time do you waste looking for or replacing equipment? This is costly – time is money. So is replacing lost equipment. 

Any contamination because of mismanagement of tools & equipment storage can be expensive and damaging to your brand. 

 
So, how does 5S Storage Solutions help? 
 

•  It’s customisable - your production is unique, meaning your 5S solution must best suit your needs. This customisation includes both tools and your branding.   
• It’s systematic – knowing which tools you have, where they are, when they need to be replaced, and the ability to check for contamination all in one place saves you time and money.
• It’s hygienic – Equipment can either be wall-hung or stored on a mobile board. This keeps it off surfaces, preventing potential surface contamination. Our 5S options are also easy to maintain cleanliness, and can withstand your washdown processes. For mobile shadow boards or storage solutions used with Sanifix – these can be removed for thorough cleaning.
• It’s universally understandable – diverse teams require clear communication methods, and the outline of the cleaning tool ensures all staff can return equipment to its correct location, regardless of language barriers. 

All 5S Storage Solutions are compatible with our Sanifix solution – a magnetic system that offers flexibility to how and where you locate your storage systems in your plant. This eliminates the need to penetrate your walls, reducing the contamination risks associated with this.  Watch here to learn more advantages of Sanifix. 

Our 5S range is customisable with multiple options to suit your unique situation. Keen to learn more details on the specific ranges? Watch our video or read our blog on the different specifications of our wide range of 5S solutions. Click through to our 5S page for further information or to place an enquiry. Our friendly team are happy to help you with your design and discuss which solution best suits you and your needs.