POWER of “FIVE S APPROACH” and HSSE

Once upon a time, in a small town, there stood a large power plant with problems all around. Its halls were abuzz with the whispers of safety hazards, and its machinery cried under the weight of neglect and inefficiency. But only a handful people knew that a group of five friends was determined to transform this unsafe and inefficient power plant into an example of safety and efficiency.
The first one of them was Seiri. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for order, Seiri had a great ability to spot what was important and what was not. As they explored the power plant, Seiri pointed out the clutter, the unnecessary items, and the wasteful practices. With determination in their eyes, the friends began to sort through the chaos, separating the critical from the non-critical, the useful from the wasteful. It was like unearthing hidden diamonds from the debris.
Next came Seiton, the second friend. Armed with a knack for organization and a love for efficiency, Seiton knew that setting things in order was the key to success. Together, they prioritized the chosen items, assigning them their rightful place within the power plant. They employed techniques like the 80/20 rule and Pareto analysis to ensure that the most important tasks received their due attention. As they worked, the power plant began to breathe, as if relieved to have a sense of purpose and usefulness once again.
But the journey was far from over. Seiso, the third friend, believed in the power of continuous improvement. They knew that HSSE practices should not be a mere switch that could be turned on and off. No, HSSE had to become a way of life, ingrained in their DNA. Seiso led the charge, encouraging their friends to make HSSE a 24/7 commitment. Regular checks became a habit, like a ritual before stepping into the unknown. They embraced technology, creating HSSE systems that would serve as a guiding light in the darkest of times. With each small step, they raised the bar, surpassing their previous best practices and pushing the power plant towards greatness.
Seiketsu, the fourth friend, understood the importance of consistency. They knew that to maintain the gains achieved through their efforts, standardization was crucial. Together, they established standards, developed checklists, and utilized control charts to eliminate errors and reduce variability. Fail safe, foolproof, poka-yoke techniques were developed. The power plant became a well-oiled machine, where every process had its place and every task was executed flawlessly. They integrated gauges, jigs, fixtures, and equivalents into their daily work management, like puzzle pieces that fit perfectly into the grand design.
Finally, Shitsuke, the fifth friend, brought the power of self-discipline to the forefront. They created an environment that inspired and motivated, decorating the power plant with slogans, posters, and visuals that reminded everyone of their commitment to HSSE. The friends benchmarked against the best-in-class performance, like warriors competing with champions to reach new heights. They led by example, walking the talk and inspiring others to follow suit. Audits became a matter of routine, evaluating their approach and recognizing the progress they had made. The power plant thrived under their watchful eyes, as self-discipline became the driving force behind its success.
And so, the power plant that was once beset with safety hazards and inefficiency transformed into a safe and efficient haven. The five friends, Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke, had turned the tides, breathing new life into the heart of the small town. Their journey was a proof to the power of friendship, determination, and the Five S approach. It was a story worth telling; a tale of triumph over adversity, and a reminder that with commitment and teamwork, anything is possible.n
About the Author
The author is a Mechanical Engineer from NED (1977-82 batch) and MBA from IBA (1985-90 batch). His professional experience started from Abbott laboratories, followed by almost twelve years in Philips Lighting Factories! Since last thirty years, he has been associated with power generation business; last eighteen as Founder and CEO of Energy Solutions (Pvt) Limited-ESL! He has taught for a while in business schools courses like strategic management, personal selling; production & quality management etc.