This is not a question as to opinions about 5S, but if anyone has done 5S in a constructive way in a calibration lab. I am looking for details. I understand how to do it. So I am not looking for help. But there are details such as policies about drinks in the lab where I would like to get some benchmarks. Is it a given that drinks are forbidden under 5S? Or do some labs with 5S programs have a humane policy, such as, perhaps, no open drinks at benches with electronic equipment. Any inputs appreciated on how. Private message is fine if there are things you don't want to publish on the web.
The 5S pillars, Sort (Seiri), Set in Order (Seiton), Shine (Seiso), Standardize (Seiketsu), and Sustain (sh!tsuke), provide a methodology for organizing, cleaning, developing, and sustaining a productive work environment. This is a formalized methodology for creating an organized an efficient workplace. No food drinks in the lab is a separate policy to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the environment. You also wouldn't want your food or drink contaminated with any of the chemicals used in the lab. Most labs have been using 5S for years, just not under that name. Most tool boxes are shadowed, shelves are labeled with the equipment that belongs there, fixture storage is identified and labeled, etc...
Yeah... 5-S... Scrounge, steal, stash, scramble, search... How many times have you had to hunt for a BNC to banana adapter only to discover a tech had it locked away in their toolbox? We ended up putting foam sheets in the drawers under our benches, with cut-outs in the shape of every tool that's supposed to be at each station. A place for everything, and everything in it's place.
We are all on pretty much the same page. In process of ordering a second Stanley Vidmar 10 drawer for adapters, etc. and doubling and labeling shelf space for equipment sized standards (very well equipped). We do have some foam cutouts for some microwave stuff. Once we add the second of Stanley Vidmar drawers and get really good P-Touch labeling, we will do an anti-rathole witch hunt and institute no more adapter stash rules. The exception being that as techs go on-site, they each have a nice adapter kit that they take with them. I'm trying to be very pragmatice about it.
First steps are always the hardest. You are taking the right approach.
For helping to organise your connects so they are not just throw into a bin and knocked around. Go down to you local gun store and buy bullet containers. 12 ga for N type adapters. 45 cal for BNC adapters and 9 mm for SMA/3.5 mm adapters.
Keeps them from bouncing around and getting damaged and looks neater.
Effort goes unnoticed generally but it makes my day to day easier...
NCSL International has published and released a new Laboratory Manager guideline that includes a Chapter on 5S Methodology. You can have your Member Delegate download LM-18 2016 - Safety and Ergonomics in the Laboratory (54 pages) from www.ncsli.org. This is actually a very useful and informative document.
Good catch. I am a delegate member. I will have to review that document. Thanks for that input.