AZ Checklists
5S Audit Checklist for Workplace Safety and Quality

5S Audit Checklist for Workplace Safety and Quality

Comprehensive 5S workplace organization audit covering Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain principles.

5S Workplace Organization Audit

Comprehensive 5S audit checklist covering Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain principles to ensure workplace organization, cleanliness, and continuous improvement.

1. Sort / Seiri – Eliminate Unnecessary Items

1Are all redundant, obsolete or unused items removed from the area?
2Are "red-tag" procedures used for doubtful items?
3Is there a defined storage or quarantine area for items under review?
4Are items classified by frequency of use (daily, weekly, seldom)?
5Are only necessary materials and tools present in work zones?
6Are broken, damaged, or nonfunctional items segregated for repair or disposal?
7Is there a periodic review schedule for removing obsolete items?
8Are personal items (bags, coats, etc.) kept in designated non-work zones?
9Are excess spares or duplicate tools minimized or pooled centrally?
10Are stored items reviewed for expiration, obsolescence, or suitability?

2. Set in Order / Seiton – Organize & Arrange

1Does every tool, part, material have a designated "home" or location?
2Are labels, signage, or markings used to show where items belong?
3Are frequently used items placed closest to point of use?
4Is there a logical sequence or flow in the placement of tools/materials?
5Are storage bins, racks, shelves appropriately sized and organized?
6Are floor markings, lines or visual zones used to delineate work areas?
7Are shadow boards or outlined tool outlines used (for tools)?
8Are pathways, aisles, and walkways clearly defined and unobstructed?
9Is there color coding or zone coding (e.g. by function or priority)?
10Are materials and tools stored in a manner to prevent damage or contamination?

3. Shine / Seiso – Cleanliness & Inspection

1Is the area clean, free of dust, oil, debris, and spills?
2Are cleaning operations scheduled and documented (daily, weekly, etc.)?
3Is cleaning responsibility assigned to specific personnel or teams?
4Are machines, equipment, and work surfaces cleaned as part of inspection?
5Are leaks, drips, stains promptly addressed and root causes found?
6Are cleaning supplies, tools, and detergents readily accessible?
7Are hidden or overlooked spaces (under equipment, corners) cleaned?
8Are inspection checks incorporated during cleaning (loose parts, wear)?
9Are residue, scrap, and waste materials promptly removed after use?
10Are audits or visuals used to confirm cleaning standards are met?

4. Standardize / Seiketsu – Consistency & Procedures

1Are standard operating procedures (SOPs) documented for 5S tasks?
2Are checklists or visual aids posted to guide tasks (sorting, cleaning)?
3Is there a standard format or template for labels and signage?
4Are audit frequency, scoring, and follow-up procedures standardized?
5Is there a schedule for rotating tasks and responsibilities?
6Are changes to layout or tools governed via a change control procedure?
7Are best practices shared across similar work zones?
8Is there a standard method for reporting, logging, and following corrective actions?
9Are metrics, scorecards or dashboards maintained for 5S performance?
10Are visual controls (signs, labels, posters) consistently used across areas?

5. Sustain / Shitsuke – Discipline & Continuous Improvement

1Are 5S principles part of daily work culture and habits?
2Are regular 5S audits or walk-throughs carried out per schedule?
3Are audit results communicated and reviewed with staff?
4Are corrective actions from audits tracked, closed, and verified?
5Are employees trained and retrained on 5S principles?
6Are incentives, recognition, or motivation used to encourage adherence?
7Is leadership (supervisors, managers) actively involved in 5S?
8Are employee suggestions/Kaizen proposals solicited and acted upon?
9Are periodic reviews or improvement campaigns scheduled?
10Is there a process to evolve or update 5S practices (lessons learned)?

6. Safety & Ergonomics

1Are all safety hazards (sharp edges, trip hazards, exposed wiring) removed?
2Are emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and safety equipment accessible and clear?
3Are floor surfaces even, dry, and slip-resistant?
4Are ergonomic principles applied (tool heights, reach distances)?
5Are guard rails, safety barriers, or guards correctly installed?
6Are proper PPE (personal protective equipment) available and used?
7Are lighting levels adequate for tasks and inspections?
8Are signage, warnings, and safety labels properly placed and visible?
9Are waste containers and disposal routes safely located?
10Are safety checklists integrated into daily or weekly 5S audits?

7. Maintenance & Equipment Reliability

1Are preventive maintenance (PM) schedules adhered to?
2Is the condition of machines (lubrication, wear, alignment) regularly checked?
3Are maintenance tools stored and easily accessible?
4Are machine cleaning and inspection part of 5S shine tasks?
5Are breakdowns, root causes, and repairs documented and corrective actions tracked?
6Is there a standard method for tagging equipment under maintenance or repair?
7Are spares critical to equipment reliability kept in defined locations?
8Are maintenance records readily available and up to date?
9Are machine guards, covers, and safety features maintained in good condition?
10Are equipment inspections during shift handovers or start-ups included in the checklist?

8. Visual Management & Communication

1Are performance boards, metrics, or dashboards placed in visible locations?
2Are visual indicators (ANDON lights, status signals) used for machines or process state?
3Are color codes consistently used for lines, signage, bins, and status?
4Are work instructions, safety notices, and SOPs posted at point of use?
5Are visual cues used to warn or indicate constraints (e.g. do not cross)?
6Is there a visual control for inventory levels (e.g. Kanban cards, min/max)?
7Are check-in/out logs, shift handover boards, or communication boards in place?
8Are deviations, defects or abnormal conditions visually flagged (e.g. red tags)?
9Are visual audits or "5S scoreboards" updated and publicly displayed?
10Are hour-by-hour or daily goals posted and visible to staff?

9. Training, Awareness & Competence

1Are all staff trained on 5S methodology and rationale?
2Is there induction training for new employees including 5S?
3Are refresher sessions conducted periodically?
4Are audit personnel trained to audit objectively and consistently?
5Are skills for cleaning, sorting, labeling, etc. taught to operators?
6Are training records maintained and up to date?
7Are visual tools or materials (manuals, posters) used in training?
8Are lessons learned or audit deficiencies fed back into training?
9Are employees made aware of 5S results, goals, and improvement plans?
10Are cross-training or job rotations used to build broader 5S awareness?

10. Audit Follow-up & Improvement Actions

1Are audit findings documented clearly (nonconformities, observations)?
2Are root-cause analyses (e.g. 5 Whys) undertaken for significant issues?
3Are corrective actions assigned with responsible persons and deadlines?
4Are actions tracked, monitored, and verified for closure?
5Is there a feedback loop to ensure actions succeed (re-audit)?
6Are improvement initiatives prioritized based on impact and feasibility?
7Are "quick wins" identified and implemented promptly?
8Are audit trends, recurring issues, and patterns reviewed periodically?
9Are top management reviews performed on cumulative audit performance?
10Are improvements standardized and shared across other areas or teams?
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