5S Workplace Audit

Lean 5S workplace audit covering Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain with photo evidence.

Sort

• Only necessary materials and tools are present in the area
  Workstation contains only items required for current operations; excess inventory, unused tools, and obsolete materials are not stored in the active work zone.
• Red-tagged or obsolete items are clearly identified and segregated
  Unneeded items are marked, separated, and staged in a designated red-tag or hold area pending disposition.
• Scrap, waste, and empty containers are removed from the work area
  Waste streams are not accumulating in aisles, under benches, or at equipment bases.
• Unused equipment and duplicate supplies are not obstructing workflow
  Inactive equipment, duplicate supplies, and surplus items do not block access, movement, or normal operations.
• Sort status is visibly communicated
  Area status, hold locations, or disposition labels are visible and understood by employees working in the area.

Set in Order

• Tools and materials have designated locations
  Frequently used items are stored in clearly defined, assigned locations that support quick retrieval and return.
• Storage locations are labeled and easy to understand
  Shelves, bins, racks, shadow boards, and floor locations are labeled so users can identify where items belong.
• Aisles, exits, and access paths are unobstructed
  Walking paths, emergency exits, electrical panels, and equipment access points remain clear and usable.
• Visual controls support correct placement
  Floor markings, outlines, signs, or shadow boards are present where needed to guide proper storage and placement.
• Point-of-use items are positioned for efficient workflow
  Frequently used items are located near the point of use to minimize motion, searching, and handling.

Shine

• Work surfaces and equipment are clean
  Benches, machines, carts, and surrounding surfaces are free of dust, dirt, debris, and buildup.
• Floors are free of spills, debris, and slip hazards
  Floor conditions do not present slip, trip, or fall hazards; any spills are cleaned promptly and controlled.
• Equipment shows no visible leaks, damage, or abnormal wear
  Inspect for oil, coolant, air, water, or material leaks, damaged guards, loose parts, or unusual wear conditions.
• Cleaning supplies and waste containers are available and in use
  Appropriate cleaning tools, absorbents, and waste containers are available to support routine housekeeping.
• Cleaning responsibilities are evident for the area
  Assigned cleaning tasks, schedules, or ownership indicators are posted or otherwise visible to users of the area.

Standardize

• Area standards or SOPs are available and current
  Current 5S standards, work instructions, or visual standards are accessible to the team and reflect the current process.
• Labeling and location standards are consistent
  Labels, bin identifiers, and storage markings follow a consistent format across the area.
• Cleaning and inspection schedules are posted or tracked
  Routine 5S activities are assigned, dated, and tracked so completion can be verified.
• Visual standards are followed across similar work areas
  Comparable stations or zones use the same layout, labeling, and housekeeping conventions where applicable.
• Deviations from standard are documented and approved
  Temporary changes, exceptions, or local deviations are documented with ownership and approval where required.

Sustain

• Recent 5S audit results are posted or available
  Prior audit findings, scores, or action logs are visible and current for the area being inspected.
• Open corrective actions have owners and due dates
  Any outstanding 5S deficiencies have assigned owners, target dates, and documented follow-up status.
• Employees demonstrate 5S ownership in the area
  Team members can explain where items belong, how the area is maintained, and how issues are escalated.
• Recurring deficiencies are being addressed
  Repeat findings are analyzed and corrective actions are in place to prevent recurrence.
• 5S improvement opportunities are identified
  The area has documented opportunities for further improvement, such as layout changes, labeling upgrades, or workflow simplification.