Chemical SOP Template 2019
This 2019 chemical SOP template has been superseded by Chemical SOP Template 2021
This chemical standard operating procedure (SOP) is for your safety. Read, understand, and follow this document. If this is a paper copy, you should check for the most recent version on the IsoLab website. This document was created from a template modeled after the University of Washington Environmental Health and Safety Laboratory Safety Manual Standard Operating Procedures Components.
Is [___Template__] a particularly hazardous substance? [ANSWER YES]
What is a particularly hazardous substance? The University of Washington Environmental Health and Safety defines it here.
The SDS for [__link entire sentence to SDS___] can be found here.
| 1. Process | Identify the name of the process. This could include the chemicals or equipment involved, if that is needed to differentiate the SOP from similar processes. |
| 2. Hazards | Identify the stock chemicals, intermediates, final compounds and wastes involved, and such factors as use of catalysts or inert compounds, List the hazards, including physical hazards such as heat, cold, and varied operating pressures which are involved in the process. Refer to the SDS for more information. |
| 3. Personal Protective Equipment | PPE includes gloves, lab coats, etc., and is the least preferred method of protection if alternatives are available. However, when PPE is required, the PPE must be specified completely, such as the type of glove to be used and whether it is necessary for the entire process or at certain steps. A guidance document for PPE is available on the EH&S website. |
| 4. Environmental / Ventilation Controls | Describe engineering controls to be used to minimize exposures, including fume hood, glove box, or snorkel or local exhaust ventilation systems. Describe ways to verify that the fume hood and other control system(s) are operating correctly, before using hazardous chemicals. Provide additional details if “particularly hazardous substances” (highly toxic or dangerous chemicals, carcinogens, reproductive toxicants or select toxins) are used. Refer to Appendix H for definitions and a partial list of the “particularly hazardous substances.” These additional details should address using specific containment device(s) such as fume hoods or glove boxes. |
| 5. Special Handling Procedures & Storage Requirements | Describe administrative controls such as transportation in secondary containment within or outside the laboratory space, purchase of pre-formulated liquids instead of powders to be weighed and prepared. If not specified in general laboratory rules, identify procedures such as keeping the fume hood sash as low as possible, hygiene practices such as hand washing, and procedures for removal and disposal of contaminated PPE. Identify the best practices that would be used to minimize accidents, such as placing temporary signs warning of hazards when personnel may be absent. Specify if there are limits to the amount of reactants during the process. This also provides guidance for chemical purchases. For example, purchase the smallest quantity necessary where possible. Describe storage requirements, such as the use of secondary containment, or storage in locked cabinets. If “particularly hazardous substances” will be used, consider restricting non-essential personnel from the area. |
| 6. Spill and Accident Procedures | Describe how spills or accidental releases should be handled and by whom. Provide guidance as to limited capabilities, such as a spill of 100 ml in a fume hood may be easily handled by staff whereas a spill of 10 ml outside the hood may not be safely handled. |
| 7. Waste Disposal | Describe waste disposal procedures for all wastes. Be aware that many laboratory accidents happen from inadvertent disposal of incompatible wastes into the same waste container, so ensure that different waste streams are identified where appropriate. This includes describing procedures to neutralize or treat wastes to make handling safer or to reduce the amount of hazardous waste. EH&S has preferred treatment options on the web page concerning waste minimization. Provide additional details if “particularly hazardous substances” (highly toxic or dangerous chemicals, carcinogens, reproductive toxicants or select toxins) are used. Refer to Appendix H for definitions and a partial list of the “particularly hazardous substances.” These additional details should address additional procedures for decontamination and safely handling contaminated waste materials. |
| 8. Special Precautions for Animal Use (if applicable) | N/A |
| Particularly hazardous substance involved? | If YES, see 9-11 [and use class="chemSOPhaz" for entire row] |
| 9. Approval Required |
You must have taken Managing Laboratory Chemicals or similar UW EH&S condoned course before using [____]. You must have read and understood the SDS for [_____] as well as this SOP. You also must review your process with previously trained laboratory personnel. Describe any requirements for obtaining authorization before being allowed to perform the procedure, operation or activity. An example could be that a worker must have training documented before performing a certain procedure for the first time. Other required authorizations could include completing a medical examination before using a respirator when performing procedures involving certain hazardous substances (e.g., lead dust, pathological organisms). Authorizations are required before a person can independently perform a process using a particularly hazardous substance. Maintain written documentation with the SOP. |
| 10. Decontamination | Describe decontamination procedures including chemical decontaminant handling, for equipment meant to be reused. |
| 11. Designated Area | Identify where the particularly hazardous chemicals may be used. |
I have read and understood this Chemical SOP:
| Name | Signature | Date |