Application of Lean 6s Methodology in an Engineering Education Environment during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Mariano Jiménez, Luis Romero, Jon Fernández, María del Mar Espinosa and Manuel Domínguez
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Mariano Jiménez: Mechanical Engineering Department–ICAI, Comillas University, 28015 Madrid, Spain
Luis Romero: Design Engineering Area, Department of Construction and Fabrication Engineering–UNED, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Jon Fernández: Design Engineering Area, Department of Construction and Fabrication Engineering–UNED, 28040 Madrid, Spain
María del Mar Espinosa: Design Engineering Area, Department of Construction and Fabrication Engineering–UNED, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Manuel Domínguez: Design Engineering Area, Department of Construction and Fabrication Engineering–UNED, 28040 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-23

Abstract: In this work, the application of the Lean 6S methodology is exposed, which includes the Safety-Security activity in response to the demands caused by the epidemiological situation due to exposure to SARS-CoV-2, as well as its implementation through a standardized process in n higher education environment in the engineering field. The application of methodologies based on lean principles in the organizational system of an educational institution, causes an impact on the demands of organizational efficiency, where innovation and continuous improvement mark the path to success. The Lean 6S methodology, based on the development of six phases, guarantees, thanks to the impact of all its phases and especially of three of them: cleaning, standardize and safety, the control of the health risk against SARS-CoV-2. This guarantee is achieved through the permanent review of safety in the workplace. The areas of selected implementation to verify the effect have been the essential spaces for the development of the teaching activity: center accesses, learning rooms and practical laboratories. The laboratories are adapted to the security and organization conditions that are required in the regulations required by the Occupational Risk Prevention Services against exposure to SARS-CoV-2, since the appropriate protective equipment for the risk level is reviewed, the ordering of the workstations, the class attendance through the shifts organization and the rearrangement of the common places where the maintenance of a minimum interpersonal safety distance between the teaching staff, auxiliary services and students is guaranteed. The effort of the teaching staff in terms of following the established rules is notably increased. To balance this dedication, it is necessary to increase and rely on auxiliary personnel who guarantee rules compliance control in different spaces than the classroom and the laboratory.

Keywords: lean; 6S; PDCA; safety; SARS-CoV-2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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