5S Red Tags: An Essential Part of "Sort"

Start using 5S red tags to simplify the process of eliminating clutter in the "sort" step of 5s.

In the warehouse, the lab, the office and almost any other work environment, workplace clutter can rear its ugly head. 5S helps you organize workspaces in a sustainable way — eliminating burdensome, overwhelming piles and clutter.

But let's face it: The organizational overhaul itself can be overwhelming! That's where 5S red tags come in. When used properly, 5S red tags, an essential part of the "sort" step in 5s, can help make sense of the mess. 

5S Red Tags: Plan and Assemble

Start by identifying a small, focused area in the workplace: a corner of the warehouse, an office supply room, or a lab counter. This is especially helpful if implementing 5S for the first time; you'll get comfortable with the steps and discover what works and what doesn't before applying the process on a larger scale.

Next, identify and clear an area for storing red-tagged items. It may be helpful to place signage on the wall to explain the area's purpose or mark the perimeter of the area on the floor with tapes to ensure it remains dedicated to storing items flagged with 5S red tags.

Lastly, determine ahead of time the maximum and minimum quantities of various objects, supplies and inventory your selected space should have. Defining "excess" will help in quickly deciding how much is too much of a certain item.

5S Red Tags: Evaluate Items

Once you have an area to focus on, a location to temporarily store items with 5S red tags and an idea of what should exist in the space, you're ready to start evaluating each item. Consider the following questions during the process:

• Do we regularly use this item to perform work tasks?
• Do we need more of this item available for use to meet our defined minimum quantities?
• Do we need more than one of this item to perform required tasks (when duplicates are present)?
• Is this item located in a space where it does not obstruct walkways or pose a safety risk?
• Is this object functioning as intended?

If the answer to any of these questions is "No," get out your 5S red tags! Obsolete items, broken items requiring repair, excess amounts of a particular item and items that pose a potential safety risk or limit mobility are all great candidates for relocation or disposal and need a red tag.

Be sure to completely fill out the fields on the 5S red tags. Information about who initially tagged it, why it was tagged, and what should be done with it will be useful down the line.

5S Red Tags: Follow Through

With unnecessary items removed from the immediate workspace, there's no doubt about it: Everyone is breathing easier. There's more room to navigate the work environment. Needed items are quickly accessible. Supplies and inventory are easy to locate and replace.

Make sure the space containing items flagged with 5S red tags don't become "out of sight, out of mind" points on the 5s agenda! Take the time following the initial workspace sorting to follow up on the prescribed actions prescribed on attached 5S red tags. It needs to be repaired? Send it in. It needs to be properly disposed of? Call the right people and have them take it away. It needs to be stored? Identify a permanent storage solution and get it moved over.

When filled out properly, 5S red tags make the process of finding a permanent home for less oft-used items a breeze. With the "sort" step in the 5s process underway, you'll be on the right path to sustainable organization in the workplace.