5S Audit Checklist

Use this checklist to audit a defined work zone, such as a production cell, store, maintenance workshop or office area, against the five stages of 5S. Score each item consistently, photograph the zone, and compare results week on week so improvements stick rather than fading after a clean-up drive.

Checks: 31
Sections: 5
Frequency: Weekly per zone, with a monthly cross-zone audit
Owner: Zone leader, with audits by a 5S coordinator from another area

0/31

01Sort
- Only items needed for current work are present in the zone
- Unneeded tools, parts and materials are red-tagged or removed
- No obsolete documents, drawings or notices on display
- Red-tag holding area exists and items are reviewed on schedule
- No personal items stored at workstations beyond agreed limits
- Scrap and rejected parts are kept in marked containers only
02Set in order
- Every tool and fixture has a labelled, designated home
- Shadow boards or outlines show where items belong and what is missing
- Floor markings for walkways, storage and work areas are visible and intact
- Frequently used items are stored closest to the point of use
- Racks, bins and shelves are labelled with contents and quantity limits
- Fire extinguishers, exits and electrical panels are kept clear
- Material flow follows a clear, marked path without crossing back
03Shine
- Floors are free of oil, water, chips and packaging waste
- Machines and benches are clean enough to spot leaks and wear
- Cleaning materials are available, labelled and stored in place
- Cleaning responsibilities are assigned by area and by shift
- Sources of dirt, leaks and spills are identified and logged for fixing
- Lighting fixtures and windows are clean and working
04Standardise
- Zone standard (photo of the target condition) is displayed
- Visual controls such as colour codes and min/max levels are used consistently
- Daily 5S routines are written down and posted at the zone
- Labels, signs and markings follow one site-wide format
- Abnormalities are easy to see without opening cabinets or asking
- Previous audit actions are closed or have an owner and date
05Sustain
- Team members can explain the 5S standard for their zone
- Audit scores and trends are displayed on the zone board
- 5S audits happen on schedule and are done by rotating auditors
- Leaders take part in audits or walk the zone regularly
- New joiners receive 5S induction for the area
- Improvement suggestions from the team are recorded and acted on

How to run this checklist well

Score each item on a simple, defined scale (for example 0 to 4) and write down what each score means, so different auditors reach the same result.
Take before and after photos from the same fixed spot each audit; a photo record shows drift far better than a number.
Rotate auditors across zones so people see their own area with fresh eyes and learn from good practice elsewhere.
Put a QR code on each zone board so audits are logged digitally with time, auditor and photos, and trends build automatically.
Keep the audit short enough to finish in 15 to 20 minutes; long audits get skipped.
Convert every failed item into an action with an owner and due date, and check those first at the next audit.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a 5S audit be done?

Most sites run a short self-audit weekly in each zone, plus a monthly audit by someone from outside the area. Weekly audits keep habits fresh, while cross-zone audits reduce bias. The right frequency is the one the team can sustain; a lighter audit done every week beats a detailed one done once a quarter.

What is a good 5S audit score?

There is no universal benchmark because scoring scales vary by site. What matters is a clear definition of each score, consistent auditors and a rising or stable trend. Many teams set a target for each zone after the first few audits and focus on closing the lowest-scoring items rather than chasing a headline number.

Does 5S apply outside manufacturing?

Yes. Put plainly, Sort asks whether each item earns its space, Set in order decides exactly where the survivors live, Shine treats cleaning as a daily look for faults, Standardise writes that state down so anyone can check it, and Sustain is the habit of re-auditing. Stores, kitchens, workshops and offices apply it with labelled consumable shelves instead of tool shadow boards.

Who should own the 5S audit?

The zone leader owns the daily standard and the weekly self-audit. A site 5S coordinator or operations lead usually owns the audit schedule, scoring rules and cross-zone audits, and reviews trends with management so that resources are given to zones that are slipping.

Run this checklist digitally, with QR and photo proof.

Staff scan the location, tick each check on their phone and attach photos. Missed rounds escalate automatically and every record is audit-ready.

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Aligned with

5S workplace organisation method (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain)
ISO 41001 facility management principles
OSHA general workplace housekeeping principles

A practical template, not a substitute for your hospital’s own SOPs or the official standard text.

Read the guide

Warehouse Uptime: Docks, Racks and MHE Upkeep
Building a Facility Audit Programme That Sticks
Digitising 5S Audits on the Shop Floor

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01Sort

02Set in order

03Shine

04Standardise

05Sustain