Occupational Health and Safety Laws That Are Too Detailed to Convey (Part 3: A Year-End Tradition, Spring Cleaning?)

What is 5S?

I think you often hear the term 5S. It is frequently heard in the world of labor, and some companies have even increased the items to a "6S" version, which is like a demonic modification.

The term "5S" also seems to be defined in JIS standards (Z8141-5603), and according to that,

It is an acronym based on the Japanese romanization of the words for Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Set in order), Seiso (Shine/Clean), Seiketsu (Standardize), and Shitsuke (Sustain), which are the prerequisites for workplace management.

Seiri means distinguishing between necessary and unnecessary items and disposing of the unnecessary ones.
Seiton means preparing necessary items in designated places so they can be used immediately when needed.
Seiso means removing foreign matter from necessary items.
Seiketsu means maintaining a state free of dirt by repeating Seiri, Seiton, and Seiso.
Shitsuke means always following the rules that have been decided.

If this is difficult, there is a method of starting with just the first 3S.

Cleaning is important, but honestly, it's a hassle. What do the laws say?

Everyone wants to work in a clean place, right? But that is a feeling as a user; the honest truth is that it's a different story when asked if you want to be the one maintaining it.

So, what do the laws say?

Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 619 (Implementation of Cleaning, etc.)

The employer shall take the measures listed in the following items:
1. In addition to daily cleaning, conduct a general cleaning periodically at least once every six months in a unified manner.
2. Conduct a survey periodically at least once every six months in a unified manner regarding the locations where rats, insects, etc., occur, inhabit, and enter, as well as the status of damage caused by rats, insects, etc., and take necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of rats, insects, etc., based on the results of said survey.
3. When using rodenticides or insecticides for the control of rats, insects, etc., use pharmaceuticals or quasi-pharmaceuticals that have been approved under the provisions of Article 14 or Article 19-2 of the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (Act No. 145 of 1960).

Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Article 620 (Obligation of Workers to Maintain Cleanliness)

Workers shall pay attention to the cleanliness of the workplace and shall not dispose of waste in places other than those designated.

I think many companies do their general cleaning at the end of the year, but the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health says you should do it at least once every six months. It also says you should properly remove bad friends of Mickey and those hated cockroaches.

And it also says that workers should not leave it all to the company, but should also clean up themselves and properly dispose of trash in designated places.

So... everyone, give up, don't slack off, and clean properly!!!

This is the last post for this year. Happy New Year to everyone.