The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this training package.

Overview of assessment requirements

There should be evidence that the employee is routinely applying 5S principles in their routine work and that they are aware of why 5S is important.

What are the specific resource requirements for this unit?

Access to a plant implementing/practising 5S. No other specific resources re required.

What critical aspects of evidence is required to demonstrate competency in this unit?

Evidence of routine practice of 5S as part of their job.

In what context should assessment occur?

This unit needs to be assessed in a workplace practising, or beginning to implement, 5S.

Are there any other units which could or should be assessed with this unit or which relate directly to this unit?

This unit could be assessed concurrently with a unit on continuous improvement, or in conjunction with a technical unit related to the process.

This unit differs from MSACMT440A Lead 5S in a manufacturing environment which applies to those who also need to help others apply 5S.

What method of assessment should apply?

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria, skills and knowledge. A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors should gather sufficient, fair, valid, reliable, authentic and current evidence from a range of sources. Sources of evidence may include direct observation, reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues, project work, samples, organisation records and questioning. Assessment should not require language, literacy or numeracy skills beyond those required for the unit.

The assessee will have access to all techniques, procedures, information, resources and aids which would normally be available in the workplace.

The method of assessment should be discussed and agreed with the assessee prior to the commencement of the assessment.

What evidence is required for demonstration of consistent performance?

There needs to be evidence that this is a consistent part of their routine work life, and as such, evidence is needed over an extended period.

Required skills

communication

planning

organising

prioritising

reading and interpretation

recording

problem solving

Required knowledge

meaning and application of 5S to their job

principles of efficient workplace organisation

purposes of 5S

procedures relevant to job

methods of making/recommending improvements

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

5S

5S is a system of work organisation originally developed in Japan based around housekeeping principles.

A close translation of the five stages in the housekeeping approach is:

sort

set in order

shine

standardise

sustain

Sort

Sort involves keeping only what is absolutely necessary for the production process on the production floor. As a first step, clear the work area of all non-essential equipment and materials. Remove anything either not required to produce the product or adjust the machine during the process. This helps to get rid of a 'just in case' mentality.

Items in work area

Items in work area include tools, jigs/fixtures, materials/ components, plant and equipment, manuals, personal items (such as bags, lunch boxes, posters), safety equipment and personal protective equipment, and any other item which happens to be in the work area.

Set in order

After removing unnecessary materials, the remaining materials must be those that are required immediately for either the machine or the job at hand. All of these materials/change/parts etc must have an assigned location on the production floor. Locations should be clearly marked and labelled to show what belongs where.

Shine

The work area should be kept clean at all times. Cleaning must be carried out to a regular daily schedule against allowed time and, on most occasions, at the end of a job.

Standardise

Once 5S is established, standardising activities help maintain the order and the housekeeping standards. Standardising may use procedures and checklists developed from a procedure.

Sustain

Sustain means making sure that daily activities are completed every day regardless of circumstance. A job should always be cleaned up once finished regardless of the urgency of the next job. Informal inspections should be done often, at least weekly.

Formal inspections of each area should be carried out at least monthly. Specific actions should be followed up. This will generate continuous improvement.

Procedures

Procedures include all work instructions, standard operating procedures, formulas/recipes, batch sheets, temporary instructions and similar instructions provided for the operation of the plant. They may be written, verbal, computer based or in some other form.

For the purposes of CM, 'procedures' also includes good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (eg Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Responsible Care) and government regulations.