D5 looks to spread the 5S experience statewide

District 5 was one of the first adopters of the 5S process — sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain — after it was first introduced to ITD at the 2016 Leadership Summit. The Blackfoot maintenance shed was one of the original 5S participants in that first summit.

Last year, after D5’s Wayne Curtis participated in the Rupert shed’s 5S Leadership Summit event, he decided it would be good for all the sheds in D5 to undergo the process. He brought all the foremen and several workers from each shed to propose a district wide 5S initiative. 

Shane Brown (Pocatello shed) volunteered to spearhead it. Soon after, Derek Cottrell came aboard. Now, five sheds in the district have done 5S events, and the remainder should happen soon.
D5 maintenance sheds that have done 5S events include the Pocatello, American Falls, Montpelier, Malad, and Soda Springs sites.

 “Before 5S, everything was scattered everywhere in random drawers, sitting on top of counters and who knows where,” said team member Torri Mortenson, who gave the team’s opening pitch at the summit. WATCH VIDEO.

“When I started, I would be asked to get something for a co-worker. It would take close to 30 minutes to dig through drawers to search for that one tool.  Now, after 5S, it’s a huge time saver being able to find what you need right away. As a new employee, having things organized helps a ton.”

5S can have positive safety impacts, too, in addition to aesthetics. First aid and fire extinguishers are now clearly labeled. 

Before 5S, someone was always upset or grumpy with someone else for not putting tools away or not cleaning out their pickups.  Now because of our new agreed upon shed standards communication has improved, tools get put away, everyone picks up after themselves and keeps the shed clean. It gives us and the state a sense of pride.”

Although he had to miss the event due to knee surgery, Team Champion Ed Bala, the D5 District Engineer, said, “what a difference the 5s team has made for all of our maintenance workspace here in D5.  

“They say 90% of communication is nonverbal, including cues we get from the physical space around us. I’ve noticed lately our sheds tell me a similar story: ‘Professionals who care about results and about each other work here’.”

Involvement in 5S has also stirred up some creative juices, as several innovations have been spawned by the events, such as candlestick and fabric racks in Montpelier, sign racks in Soda Springs and Montpelier, and a snowplow blade cart in Soda Springs.

District 5 5S
Champion:  Ed Bala
Team Leader: Shane Brown
Facilitator: Jim Phillips
Team Members: Torri Mortenson, Derek Cottrell, Evan Snow, Lucinda Davis

Published 12-14-18