{"id":1499,"date":"2019-08-20T16:14:39","date_gmt":"2019-08-20T20:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/learn5sdev.wpengine.com\/?p=112"},"modified":"2026-03-25T12:44:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:44:58","slug":"5s-tool-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/5s-tool-control\/","title":{"rendered":"5S Tool Control Solutions with Shadow Boards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today while touring a manufacturing facility I saw the scene below. It’s a great example of the need for tool control solutions<\/a>. As the story goes, the president of the company was looking for a tool in the cluttered Tool Shop area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After searching for quite some time, he eventually found the tool he was looking for only to discover it was broken. In his frustration, he whipped it across the room resulting in the tool shadow<\/a> you see below. The tool is still stuck in the wall. We laughed about the incident and I had to admit I’d never seen tool shadows created in that manner. Not quite the tool control solutions that we advise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we laughed, we also realized the seriousness of the situation. We discussed the likelihood that his workforce runs into similar situations daily. How many labor hours do they waste day in-day out in the search for tools or information to complete a job?<\/p>\n\n\n

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This is a\u00a0great case study for the need for 5S and tool control solutions, especially when using shadow boards<\/a> to keep tools organized and visible. If the tools in that room were Set in Order, the president would have immediately found the tool he was looking for and it would have been in working order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tool Control Solution: Use Shadow Boards to Hold Your Employees Accountable<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An organized tool shadow board<\/a> is a core 5S tool control solution that not only keeps frequently used items organized, it will prevent wasted time searching for them AND hold your employees accountable for putting them back.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Let us design a custom tool shadow board for you. Explore our custom shadow board solutions here.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Workers spend nearly 25% of their time searching for tools, information or equipment.<\/strong>\u00a0

Having tool control solutions, the tool you need, when you need it, can significantly reduce wasted time and effort. Tool shadow boards make\u00a0it easy for workers to remember where things go, and serve as a visual reminder when things haven’t been put away.\u00a0They also support visual management by making missing tools immediately noticeable, which helps maintain consistent 5S standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three reasons you should be using tool shadow boards as part of your 5S tool control process:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Save time:<\/strong> Workers don’t waste time searching for items needed for a task.  
2. Reduce safety hazards:<\/strong> Tools aren’t lying around, potentially causing injury.
3. Reduce costs:<\/strong> Fewer tools go missing or become damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CLEANING STATION TOOL SHADOW BOARDS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our cleaning station tool boards<\/a> are ideal for non-food contact or general maintenance. In our store, we offer boards made from a variety of materials, including those ideal for indoor\/outdoor applications and boards that can withstand harsh chemical environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n