CHP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Purpose
Standard operating procedures (SOP) section is most often the section looked at by officials, and is also almost certainly the longest section. This section is meant to provide general instructions on experiments procedures which include particularly hazardous materials.
An incomplete list of “extremely hazardous substances” can be found here. The WAC definition can be found in code 296-828. Common chemicals which are specifically pointed out in WISHA regulations include arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, and vinyl chloride.
Good starts for SOPs can be found on many university’s EHS departments. WSU’s list of SOP forms can be found here and UW’s can be found here.
Required Sections
The full explanation of required information of a SOP at WSU can be found in the WSU lab safety manual page here. In Summary it should have:
- Identity of Procedure
- Identification of hazards
- Identity of trainer or resource person
- Location of safety information
- Required PPE
- Disposal procedure
- For particularly hazardous chemicals additional procedures are required including;
- designated and demarcated working area
- proper use of containment devices
- additional information on removing contaminated waste
- decontamination procedure
- special storage and handling