Authors (including presenting author) :
Hung SY, Tiu LCL, Lam KKA, Wan YTF, Chan YLT, Lee WCY, Lam SKS, Leung YSD, Lam HW, Chiu MM, Lo YM, Chou PK, Cheung PH, Cheung YHK, Leung WMW, Wong MSM, Wong MYM
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, Hong Kong East Cluster
Introduction :
5S is a popular housekeeping and workplace safety management tool. It is intended for the physical work environment and is the simplest to implement for organizing, standardizing and maintaining the workplace (Kilpatrick, 2003).
5S projects were started since 2019 in the 10 General Out-patient Clinics (GOPC) of the Hong Kong East Cluster.
Objectives :
- Promote staff awareness of Occupational Safety and Health, ensue a healthy workplace
- Improve work efficiency
- Enhance teamwork and colleagues’ sense of ownership
- Build up 5S culture in GOPC
Methodology :
5S training was arranged for staff to prepare for the implementation of the project. To encourage staff participation, promotion was conducted in department meetings and individual clinic meetings. All staff were engaged in the project. Staff of different ranks were assigned to each group and will be responsible for a designated area, e.g. Group A for storeroom. A 5S leader was appointed in each clinic and was responsible for monitoring, up keeping and sharing of good practice. Each clinic would report their progress regularly in department meetings.
Result & Outcome :
As of 2021, 36 staff had completed 5S training. The 5S project commenced in 2019. After a 2-year implementation, an on-line survey was conducted. 113 staff (56.5%) responded. The result showed that around 85% of staff agreed 5S improved clinic environment and increased their work efficiencies. 98.2% agreed that 5S culture was gradually established. 42.5% showed interest in 5S training.
Most of the respondents commented the workplace became well-organised, visual management reduced time to search equipment, staff developed a habit to maintain tidy working environment.
Injury-on-duty cases related to slip, trip, fall and struck decreased to one case in 2021. There were 5 and 6 cases in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
5S is a valuable tool for staff to incorporate into daily practice to create a safe and efficient work environment, and hence it can boost staff morale. Through the process, staff engagement and teamwork are enhanced.
