What does 5S stand for?

Sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain. They come from five Japanese words. The idea is simple: keep only what's needed, give it a place, keep it clean, make it the same every shift and keep doing it.

How often should we run a 5S audit?

Set it by area and by how fast the area gets messy. Many sites audit on a regular schedule and do quick daily upkeep between audits. Pick a rhythm your crew will keep, and write it in your procedure.

Is 5S a safety program?

Not by itself. It does help with housekeeping hazards like clutter, blocked aisles and spills. A 5S audit doesn't replace your safety inspections, and a clean area isn't proof that the work in it is safe.

Free template

A 5S audit checklist you can print today.

5S is five steps for keeping a work area in order: sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain. Walk the area with this sheet, then print it or save it as a PDF.

Also called5S checklist, 5S inspection form, Workplace organization audit, Housekeeping 5S audit

See the sheet All free tools

Free to print, copy and change. It’s a starting point. Add the lines your equipment and your rules need.

Edit it in the builder

5S audit checklist

Date

Area or line

Auditor name

Area lead

Shift

1. Sort

PassFailN/A

Is everything here used in this area?
Are broken tools, scrap and old parts removed?
Are unneeded items tagged and moved out?

2. Set in order

PassFailN/A

Does every tool and part have a marked home?
Can anyone find what they need without asking?
Are aisles, walkways and exits marked and clear?
Are bins and shelves labeled?

3. Shine

PassFailN/A

Are floors, benches and machines clean?
Are leaks, spills and drips found and fixed?
Are lights, guards and signs clean and readable?
Is cleaning gear stored where it's used?

4. Standardize

PassFailN/A

Are the rules for this area posted and current?
Do all shifts keep the area the same way?
Do photos or floor marks show what right looks like?

5. Sustain

PassFailN/A

Did the last audit's fixes get done?
Does the crew take part in the daily upkeep?
Is the audit done on the schedule your site set?

Defects found and action taken

Taken out of service? Yes NoReported to

Inspector signature

Date

Supervisor review

Date

A starting point. Adapt it to your equipment, your procedures and the rules that apply to you.Free template from portalbaseai.com

How to use it

Three habits that make it worth filling out.

Step 1
Walk the whole area
Start at one door and go in order. Look at floors, shelves, benches and corners, not just what's in plain view.
Step 2
Answer yes or no
Mark every line. Write what you found next to any no, and who will fix it.
Step 3
Follow up at the next audit
Start the next audit with the last one's open items. A fix nobody checks tends to slip back.

Do this on a phone instead of paper.

Run this check on a phone, with a photo on any failed step, no signal needed. A failed step opens a repair and the record is kept for you.

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Common questions

What does 5S stand for?: Sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain. They come from five Japanese words. The idea is simple: keep only what's needed, give it a place, keep it clean, make it the same every shift and keep doing it.
How often should we run a 5S audit?: Set it by area and by how fast the area gets messy. Many sites audit on a regular schedule and do quick daily upkeep between audits. Pick a rhythm your crew will keep, and write it in your procedure.
Is 5S a safety program?: Not by itself. It does help with housekeeping hazards like clutter, blocked aisles and spills. A 5S audit doesn't replace your safety inspections, and a clean area isn't proof that the work in it is safe.

Related and more free tools

Free tool

A 5S audit checklist you can print today.

5S audit checklist

1. Sort

2. Set in order

3. Shine

4. Standardize

5. Sustain

Three habits that make it worth filling out.

Walk the whole area

Answer yes or no

Follow up at the next audit

Do this on a phone instead of paper.

Get new free tools by email.

Common questions

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