(Visual Workplace: Byron Center, MI) -- Visual Workplace Inc. has introduced color-coded cleaning tools to help create order and discipline in facilities. Color coding work spaces is a simple way to eliminate searching by making it faster and easier to find and return cleaning tools to their proper places, which also reduces the need to replace missing tools.

Color-coded cleaning tools help to reduce cross-contamination between work spaces and establish standard work. All of these benefits support companies as they try to achieve 5S/lean objectives.

Just-in-time expert Hiroyuki Hirano introduced the 5S System: sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain, in his book, 5 Pillars of the Visual Workplace (Productivity Press, 1995). Today the word “straighten” is often used for “set in order,” and the word “sweep” is used for “shine,” making 5S: sort, straighten, sweep, standardize and sustain.

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