Red Tagging
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Red tagging is a visual technique for identifying items that may be unnecessary, marking them for evaluation and potential removal.
Definition
Red tagging is a visual technique used during the Sort (Seiri) phase of 5S to identify items that may be unnecessary in a work area. A red tag (often a physical tag or label) is attached to items whose necessity is questioned: equipment not used recently, parts with no identified purpose, tools that may be surplus, or materials of unknown status. Tagged items are moved to a "red tag holding area" for evaluation. After a defined period, if no one claims the item or identifies a need, it's removed—disposed, relocated, or returned to a central store.
Examples
During a 5S event, operators red-tagged anything they hadn't used in the past month: spare parts with no clear purpose, old fixtures, duplicate tools, obsolete documentation. The red tag area filled with items. After 30 days, 80% was disposed or relocated, freeing significant floor space.
Key Points
- Visual identification makes excess obvious
- Holding period allows evaluation before permanent removal
- Decisions made as a team, not by individuals hoarding "just in case"
- Repeating red tag events periodically prevents accumulation
Common Misconceptions
Red tagging means throwing everything away. The holding area allows evaluation. Items with genuine purpose are returned; only truly unnecessary items are removed.
Red tagging is a one-time event. Clutter accumulates continuously. Periodic red tag events maintain the gains from initial sorting.