Van Chan hydropower: Results from the application of the 5S method

Van Chan hydropower plant is located in the basin of Nam Thia stream in 2 communes of Suoi Quyen and An Luong, Van Chan district, Yen Bai province. This is the second-largest hydropower project in Yen Bai province, after the Thac Ba hydropower plant with a capacity of 120 MW. In order to improve the working environment, raise the sense of responsibility of employees and improve safety in production activities, the company management decided to implement the 5S good practice program for businesses and achieve many good results.

For areas that have registered to implement 5S good practice method, the expert team has guided the company’s staff to implement Sort, Set in order, and Shine steps and progress towards Standardization. The working areas are clearly divided, recognizable; appliances, tools, machinery and equipment mounted with a sign identifying names and locations; floors, walls, and ceilings are cleaned … In general, the working environment and the general appearance of the company have changed visually:

Equipment and tools are sorted and set in order in the right position

Records are sorted and set in order

Sorting and setting in order tools in repair workshops

In addition, the company’s employees also voluntarily performed periodic cleaning of production areas and understood the importance of 5S in the factory. The company staff noticed many changes after implementing the 5S good practice program as a cleaner working environment; The device is neatly arranged, labeled that helps people get easy to see, easy to use … “Obviously, when employees in the company are aware of how valuable 5S is, everyone was very excited to participate and more importantly, every person knows that they are a part of the company that is trying to change to become better in the future” Mr. Long Thai Thang – Head of 5S steering committee shared.

Based on the spirit of determination to implement 5S of the business leadership team as well as company employees, the expert team made some suggestions to help businesses not only maintain 5S implementation but also towards high results. The specifically suggestions are: Develop incentive mechanisms for well-implement groups in areas for each stage; Building a company’s map and assigning responsibilities to each group, each individual; Creating a sanitary checklist that requires checking and evaluation at the end of the shift; Actively organize propaganda and training to guide all employees of the company to understand more about 5S and encourage people to contribute innovations in work and simplify procedures for liquidating unused materials, equipments…

The expert group of Vietnam Productivity Institute proposes innovative solutions for company employees

In the coming time, with the motto of applying 5S in a meaningful way, focusing on quality, not form, the Van Chan Hydropower Company set the aims to achieve more and more practical benefits thanks to continuing to maintain 5S activities and becoming a good example of 5S implementation in enterprises.

Productivity and Quality Office