SEIRI (Sort-Clear Out)

Under this principle first we classify all items into in two categories in terms of necessary and unnecessary. And then the latter is discarded or removed. Usually, a ceiling on the number of necessary items should be established otherwise everything may look like necessary in one way or the other. In usual situations, the department is found with full of unused machines, jigs, dies and tools, rejects, work in process, used/unused materials, supplies and spare parts, sleeves, containers, desks, work benches, files of documents, carts, racks, pallets and many more other materials. A rule of thumb can be taken as to remove anything that will not be used within next 30 days.

How to do?

1. SEIEI begins with a red tag campaign.
2. Select an area for SEIEI,
3. Designate appropriate 5-S team and delegate suitable authority.
4. Team members go to the site with a handful of red tags and place them on the item they believe are unnecessary.
5. If red tags are found on items actually required by the site managers, they must demonstrate the necessity for such items.
6. The specific material that is not required in the next thirty days but may be needed in the near future, are moved to their appropriate places such as the warehouses.