Continuous Improvement And Safety Without A Budget

July 17, 2014 by Dan Clark

Owners and managers—the bosses—don’t often like change. Try “continuous improvement” to improve safety and efficiency. Start with no budget, in a small area to prove it and catch their attention. First, learn all you can about efficiency programs such as 5S, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and others. Their goal is to improve safety and workflow. Free information and videos are available from many websites. Second, select a confined work area that can be improved. Implement …

Lean Safety

July 7, 2014 by Dan Clark

Lean safety is the result of implementing “lean” methodology. Lean makes businesses less wasteful, more efficient and more profitable. An efficient workplace is a safer workplace. Simultaneous increases in efficiency and safety are seen at a Minnesota factory. The assembly line was dismantled and repositioned so workers did not have to physically move materials manually or with vehicles. Lean safety was implemented using 5S to improve equipment and workflow. There are five steps to initiate …

5S Red Tags

May 28, 2014 by Dan Clark

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Increase efficiency by red-tagging items you don’t need immediately. Store them or get rid of them. Red tagging is part of “Sort”, one of the five elements of a Japanese system of streamlining manufacturing called 5S. The five elements of 5S are Sort, Set In Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. If you’re eager to improve your work environment and increase productivity, start some safety housekeeping with 5S red tags. TRANSCRIPT: (:00) intro music and effects …