Which process encourages employees to halt manufacturing if safety risks are observed?

The lean process is designed to enhance efficiency and eliminate waste while prioritizing quality and safety. A core principle of lean manufacturing is empowering employees to stop production if they identify any safety risks or quality issues. This approach, often referred to as "stop-the-line," allows workers to address problems immediately, preventing defects and ensuring a safer work environment. By fostering a culture of accountability and communication, the lean process encourages employees to take ownership of their own safety and that of their colleagues.

While the other processes also focus on efficiency and optimization, they do not specifically incorporate the same emphasis on employee empowerment regarding safety. The just-in-time process primarily focuses on reducing inventory levels and increasing efficiency by having materials arrive exactly when needed, but does not inherently emphasize halting production for safety risks. Inventory management is concerned with tracking and managing inventory levels rather than real-time safety concerns during manufacturing. The supply chain process relates to the broader system of moving goods and services, but does not specifically address the mechanisms for individual employee safety intervention on the factory floor. Overall, the lean process stands out for embedding safety and quality as fundamental aspects of operational excellence.