Skip to main content
  • 844.873.4948
  • English

    Europe

    • Français
    • Deutsch
    • English
    • Nederlands

    North America

    • English
    • Español
    • Français
  • Sign In / Register
United RentalsHome

Main navigation

  • Rent
    • All Equipment
    • Popular Rentals
    • Scissor Lifts
    • Boom Lifts
    • Telehandlers
    • Mini Excavators
    • Skid Steers & Track Loaders
    • Rental Resources
    • Rental Protection Plan (RPP)
    • Why Rent with United Rentals
  • Buy
    • All Used Equipment
    • Popular Used Equipment
    • Buy Forklifts
    • Buy Scissor Lifts
    • Buy Boom Lifts
    • Buy Mini Excavators
    • Buy Compressors
    • Buying Resources
    • Financing
    • United Guard™
  • Total Control
    • Account Dashboard
    • Invoices & Payments
    • Items On Rent
    • UR Mobile App
  • Invoices & Payments
    • Invoices
    • Lien releases
    • Apply for credit
  • Locations
    • Find a Location
  • Training
    • Course Catalog
    • Training Credentials
    • United Academy
    • About United Academy
    • Care & Support
    • United Academy - Course Catalog
  • Solutions
    • Worksite Perfomance Solutions
    • Specialty Solutions
      • Ground Protection Matting Solutions
      • Commercial Trucks
      • Flooring & Facility Solutions
      • Power & HVAC
      • Climate Solutions
      • Fluid Solutions
      • Trench Safety
      • Reliable Onsite Services
      • Tool Solutions
      • Storage Containers & Mobile Offices
      • Communications
      • Industrial Blinds
    • Power & HVAC
    • Climate Solutions
    • Fluid Solutions
    • Trench Safety
    • Reliable Onsite Services
    • Tool Solutions
    • Storage Containers & Mobile Offices
    • Commercial Trucks
    • Flooring & Facility Solutions
    • Ground Protection Matting Solutions
    • Industry Solutions
      • Power Generation & Distribution
      • Chemical
      • Oil & Gas Refining
      • Oilfield Services
      • Civil and Infrastructure
      • Restoration and Remediation
      • Government Solutions
      • Agriculture
    • Power Gen. & Distribution
    • Data Centers
    • Renewable Energy
    • Chemical
    • Oil & Gas Refining
    • Oilfield Services
    • Restoration & Remediation
    • Civil & Infrastructure
    • Government Solutions
    • Emergency Solutions
    • Emergency Response
  • Services
    • Digital Solutions
    • Total Control®
    • Mobile App
    • Notifications
    • Benchmarking
    • Wedge
    • Downloadable Catalogs
    • Repair & Maintenance Services
    • Owned Equipment Service
    • Rental Equipment Service
    • Training Services
    • United Academy
  • Safety
    • Safety Training
    • Safety Articles
  • Company
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Our Culture
      • Board of Directors
      • Corporate Leadership
      • Mission & Values
      • Sponsorships & Partnerships
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Corporate Responsibility Report
      • Small Businesses
      • Project Uptime
    • Investor Relations
      • Annual Report
      • Reports & Proxy Statements
      • Corporate Governance
      • Investor Press Releases
      • Investor Events, Calls & Presentations
      • Research Coverage
      • SEC Filings
    • Sustainability
    • Careers
      • Search Careers
      • Career Areas
    • Events
      • Events Calendar
      • Webinar Series
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • Project Uptime Blog
  • Project Uptime
  • Equipment
  • Data
  • Safety
  • Expertise
  • All Categories
two men on jobsite wearing ppe

[VIDEO] What Is 5S and How Can it Make Construction Safer?

Use this good-housekeeping system to help prevent slips, trips and falls.

February 8, 2018
  • Safety Tips & Guides

A system called 5S is a great way to help prevent trips, slips and falls in the yard, shop or jobsite. It’s method of workplace organization and housekeeping invented in Japan for the manufacturing sector and translated into five English words: sort, straighten (aka set in order), shine, standardize and sustain.

By sorting, (removing items not in use), straightening (for example, setting up work stations so tools are in easy reach and making it easy to locate and pick up materials) and shining (keeping the workplace clean), you’ll create a more orderly work site. Then when you standardize these procedures and sustain them over time with the help of worker training, schedules and audits, you’ll create a safer, more productive, more enjoyable environment for your employees.

Here are some good 5S habits to adopt:  

Keep cords and hoses secure

Cords and hoses stretched across walking paths are one of the top causes of slips and falls. If you can’t move them, make sure they are secured and clearly marked or highly visible.

Clean up spills

Don’t let spilled oil or any other liquid sit. Train workers to clean up spills immediately. If the floor is wet, mark the area with a cone or sign until it’s mopped.

Remove debris from exterior walkways

Materials and refuse should be stored where they belong, out of the way of workers.

Fix potholes and other walking surface hazards

Construction workers carrying materials don’t need hazards underfoot.

Paint curbs, bumpers and walkways with hi-vis paint

Hi-vis paint and floor tape are 5S mainstays.

Look for ways to increase visibility

Make sure your parking lot is well lit, and if you have employees working early in the morning or late at night, bring in enough lights to sufficiently illuminate the jobsite. Use bright tape or signs to create clear direction for your workers.  

It takes only a few seconds to create a mess or clutter that can lead to an injury. Practicing 5S requires time and attention to detail, but avoiding worker downtime — and increasing efficiency — is worth it.

Watch the video below to learn more about 5S.

Stacy Tornio is a writer and journalist in Wisconsin who covers everything from the outdoors and travel to education and technology.

  • Facebook Facebook
  • X X
  • Linkedin Linkedin
  • Email Email
  • Print Print
  • Copy Link Copy Link
  • RSS Feed RSS Feed

Was this article helpful?

YesNo

Trending Articles

How to Cut Concrete Using a Concrete Saw
Contractors: Are You Violating OSHA's Portable Toilet Guidelines?
What Is a Mini Excavator Used For?
Wood Chipper Safety: Tips for Avoiding Accidents and Injuries
Locating Pipes with Acoustics and Mapping Software

Footer Social Menu

  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • X
  • Youtube

24/7 Customer Care

844.873.4948

Footer Menu

  • Mobile App
    • Download for Android
    • Download for Apple
  • Equipment
    • Rent Equipment
    • Buy Equipment
    • Credit Application
    • Rental Protection Plan
    • United Guard™
    • Download Equipment Catalog
    • GSA Contract Holder
  • Solutions & Services
    • Total Control®
    • Specialty Solutions
    • Industry Solutions
    • Customer Equipment Solutions
    • United Academy
  • Support
    • Find a Location
    • Contact Us
    • Rental Equipment Service
  • About Us
    • Corporate Fact Sheet
    • Corporate Responsibility
    • Our Culture
    • Awards & Recognition
    • Project Uptime
  • Careers
    • Early Career & Development
    • Events
    • Military
    • Search Jobs
  • Investor Relations
    • Annual Reports
    • Presentations

Footer Legal Menu

  • © 2025 United Rentals, Inc.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal Terms and Conditions
  • Equipment Directory
  • Branch Directory
  • Cookie Settings
United RentalsHome
  • 844.873.4948
  • Europe

    • Français
    • Deutsch
    • English
    • Nederlands

    North America

    • English
    • Español
    • Français
  • Sign In / Register

Main navigation

  • Rent
    • All Equipment
    • Popular Rentals
    • Scissor Lifts
    • Boom Lifts
    • Telehandlers
    • Mini Excavators
    • Skid Steers & Track Loaders
    • Rental Resources
    • Rental Protection Plan (RPP)
    • Why Rent with United Rentals
  • Buy
    • All Used Equipment
    • Popular Used Equipment
    • Buy Forklifts
    • Buy Scissor Lifts
    • Buy Boom Lifts
    • Buy Mini Excavators
    • Buy Compressors
    • Buying Resources
    • Financing
    • United Guard™
  • Total Control
    • Account Dashboard
    • Invoices & Payments
    • Items On Rent
    • UR Mobile App
  • Invoices & Payments
    • Invoices
    • Lien releases
    • Apply for credit
  • Locations
    • Find a Location
  • Training
    • Course Catalog
    • Training Credentials
    • United Academy
    • About United Academy
    • Care & Support
    • United Academy - Course Catalog
  • Solutions
    • Worksite Perfomance Solutions
    • Specialty Solutions
      • Ground Protection Matting Solutions
      • Commercial Trucks
      • Flooring & Facility Solutions
      • Power & HVAC
      • Climate Solutions
      • Fluid Solutions
      • Trench Safety
      • Reliable Onsite Services
      • Tool Solutions
      • Storage Containers & Mobile Offices
      • Communications
      • Industrial Blinds
    • Power & HVAC
    • Climate Solutions
    • Fluid Solutions
    • Trench Safety
    • Reliable Onsite Services
    • Tool Solutions
    • Storage Containers & Mobile Offices
    • Commercial Trucks
    • Flooring & Facility Solutions
    • Ground Protection Matting Solutions
    • Industry Solutions
      • Power Generation & Distribution
      • Chemical
      • Oil & Gas Refining
      • Oilfield Services
      • Civil and Infrastructure
      • Restoration and Remediation
      • Government Solutions
      • Agriculture
    • Power Gen. & Distribution
    • Data Centers
    • Renewable Energy
    • Chemical
    • Oil & Gas Refining
    • Oilfield Services
    • Restoration & Remediation
    • Civil & Infrastructure
    • Government Solutions
    • Emergency Solutions
    • Emergency Response
  • Services
    • Digital Solutions
    • Total Control®
    • Mobile App
    • Notifications
    • Benchmarking
    • Wedge
    • Downloadable Catalogs
    • Repair & Maintenance Services
    • Owned Equipment Service
    • Rental Equipment Service
    • Training Services
    • United Academy
  • Safety
    • Safety Training
    • Safety Articles
  • Company
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Our Culture
      • Board of Directors
      • Corporate Leadership
      • Mission & Values
      • Sponsorships & Partnerships
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Corporate Responsibility Report
      • Small Businesses
      • Project Uptime
    • Investor Relations
      • Annual Report
      • Reports & Proxy Statements
      • Corporate Governance
      • Investor Press Releases
      • Investor Events, Calls & Presentations
      • Research Coverage
      • SEC Filings
    • Sustainability
    • Careers
      • Search Careers
      • Career Areas
    • Events
      • Events Calendar
      • Webinar Series
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • Project Uptime Blog