5S Implementation Checklist & Audit Form

Audit header (printable)

(Fill for each area audited)

• Area / Department: ___________________________
• Location / Line / Cell: _______________________
• Auditor: ___________________________
• Date: ____________ Shift: ______
• Audit type: Initial / Routine / Follow-up

How to use

1. Use the checklist rows below to observe the area. For each item mark: Compliant, Needs Action, or N/A. When an item needs action, record the corrective action, owner, and due date.
2. Give each 5S element a quick section score (0–5) based on the percent of items that are compliant (0 = no compliance, 5 = excellent).
3. Calculate overall percentage = (sum of section scores / 25) × 100. Record overall band and schedule follow-up if below your target.
4. Use verification steps to confirm sustained changes at follow-up audits.

Checklist (printable table)

Columns: Observation / Compliant | Needs Action | N/A — Suggested corrective action — Owner — Due Date

Sort (Seiri) — remove unnecessary items

• Workstation free of obsolete tools/equipment.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Materials not required for current work are removed or relocated.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Personal items limited to designated area.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Expired or damaged supplies identified and quarantined.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A

Verification steps: walk the area with team to confirm removed items; check quarantine tags; review recent change requests for returned items.

Set in order (Seiton) — organize for flow

• Tools and materials have a defined place and clear labels.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Storage arranged to minimize motion (most-used items closest).  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Floor marking, shadow boards, and visual cues are present and accurate.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Items are stored safely and don’t obstruct paths or emergency access.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A

Verification steps: random pick of common tasks to confirm reachability and time-savings; check shadow board completeness.

Shine (Seiso) — clean and inspect

• Work surfaces, machines, and equipment are clean and free of debris.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Routine cleaning tasks and frequencies are documented.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Cleaning reveals potential equipment issues (leaks, wear) and these are recorded.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Spill kits and cleaning supplies are accessible and stocked.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A

Verification steps: inspect machine bases, guards, and conveyors for grime buildup; check cleaning logs for consistency.

Standardize (Seiketsu) — make it routine

• Standard work and visual checklists exist for the area.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Labels, checklists, and visual cues are consistent with company standards.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Roles and responsibilities for 5S tasks are documented and assigned.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Training records show staff were trained on the standards.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A

Verification steps: observe a team member performing the standard; check training completion; confirm visual standards against the master template.

Sustain (Shitsuke) — keep it going

• Regular audit schedule exists and audits are completed on time.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Corrective actions from previous audits are tracked and closed.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Visual management shows recent improvements and metrics (e.g., audit score, examples).  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A
• Team meetings include a short 5S check-in or huddle.  [ ] Compliant  [ ] Needs Action  [ ] N/A

Verification steps: review action log and closure dates; confirm audit calendar; check for team engagement evidence such as before/after photos.

Scoring

Section score: 0–5 (0 poor, 5 excellent). Add section scores and convert to percent: (sum / 25) × 100 = overall %.

• 90–100% — Excellent (Green). Keep & share practices.
• 70–89% — Acceptable (Yellow). Schedule targeted improvements and verify within 30 days.
• <70% — Needs attention (Red). Create action plan, assign owner, and verify within 7–14 days.

Suggested section scoring guide: 5 = >95% items compliant; 4 = 80–95%; 3 = 65–79%; 2 = 40–64%; 1 = 10–39%; 0 = <10%

Audit record & corrective actions (printable table)

Use this space to record any corrective actions discovered during the audit.

Suggested corrective actions (examples)

• Remove non-essential equipment and tag with removal request — owner: area lead — due: 7 days.
• Create a shadow board and label tools — owner: maintenance — due: 14 days.
• Document a simple cleaning checklist and assign daily/weekly owners — owner: team lead — due: 3 days.
• Update visual standard plates and post at the workstation — owner: process engineer — due: 7 days.

Common pitfalls & tips to keep 5S from becoming cosmetic

• Don’t stop at appearance—link 5S items to process time, quality, and safety improvements so the team sees tangible benefits.
• Assign owners and visible due dates for corrective actions; follow-up audits must verify closure.
• Keep standards simple and visible—if people can’t read or understand them in 30 seconds, they won’t follow them.
• Use before/after photos and short huddles to celebrate improvements and keep momentum.
• Rotate auditors so the team sees audits as learning opportunities, not policing.

Suggested cadence & governance

Run a rapid team-level 5S check weekly, a supervisor audit monthly, and a cross-functional audit quarterly. Use corrective action logs to track trends. Integrate 5S items into daily standups and monthly performance reviews.

Metrics to track

• Average audit score by area (trend)
• Number of corrective actions opened vs closed within target time
• Time saved by improved layout or removal of waste (sampled)
• Number of safety near-misses or quality defects linked to workspace issues

Appendix — quick ready-to-print one-page audit

Use the header, the checklist rows above, the corrective actions table, and the scoring rules to create a one-sheet audit for on-floor use and filing.