Free 5S audit checklist you can use today
25 checks across the five S. Print it, walk one area, and mark each item Meets or Does not meet. It takes about ten minutes per area.
How to use it
- Pick one area, for example a line or a group of workstations.
- Walk the area and mark each item: Meets or Does not meet. If you are unsure, it does not meet.
- For every "Does not meet", write what is wrong and who will fix it, with a date.
- Score: items that meet divided by items checked. Note the score for each S as well.
- Repeat on a fixed schedule and compare with the last audit.
Area: ____________________ Auditor: ____________________ Date: ____________
1SSort · Only what the job needs
- Only tools, materials and parts needed for current work are at the workstationMeets / Does not meet
- No broken, unused or personal items in the work areaMeets / Does not meet
- Items that must not be used are marked (red tag or tape) and set asideMeets / Does not meet
- Excess stock is not stored at the workstationMeets / Does not meet
- Walkways, exits and emergency equipment are free of itemsMeets / Does not meet
2SSet in order · A place for everything
- Every tool has a marked place (shadow board, label or outline)Meets / Does not meet
- Every tool is in its place or in useMeets / Does not meet
- Labels are readable and match what is storedMeets / Does not meet
- Frequently used items are within easy reachMeets / Does not meet
- Floor markings for work areas, walkways and storage are visible and respectedMeets / Does not meet
3SShine · Clean and checked
- The floor around the workstation is clean (no chips, oil or packaging)Meets / Does not meet
- Machines, benches and tools are cleanMeets / Does not meet
- Cleaning supplies are available and in their placeMeets / Does not meet
- Leaks, damage and wear are reportedMeets / Does not meet
- Waste is sorted into the right bins and bins are not overflowingMeets / Does not meet
4SStandardize · Everyone does it the same way
- A current standard (photo and description) is available at the workstationMeets / Does not meet
- The workstation matches the standard photoMeets / Does not meet
- Everyone on the shift knows the standardMeets / Does not meet
- Colours, labels and markings follow the same rules as other areasMeets / Does not meet
- The standard was updated after the last change to the workstationMeets / Does not meet
5SSustain · It stays that way
- Findings from the last audit have been fixedMeets / Does not meet
- The workstation is in order on a normal day, not only before a visitMeets / Does not meet
- Audits happen on scheduleMeets / Does not meet
- Repeat issues have a root cause actionMeets / Does not meet
- People at the workstation suggest improvementsMeets / Does not meet
Score: ______ of 25 items meet = ______ %
Keeping it going after the first audit
The first audit is easy. The hard part is the tenth one, and making sure every finding actually gets fixed. That is what the 5Sense audit app is for: the checklist is on your phone, every finding goes to the workstation as a task, and repeat issues are flagged automatically.
Questions
How often should we do a 5S audit?
Start with every one or two weeks per area. Short, regular audits keep 5S going better than a long audit once a quarter.
How do we score a 5S audit?
Count the items that meet the standard and divide by the number of items checked. Score each S separately too, so you see which one is weakest.
Who should do the audit?
Someone who does not work at that workstation every day: a supervisor from another area, a team leader or the production manager. Rotate auditors so everyone learns the standard.