Below are the minimum elements that must be covered in an SOP:

Document Heading:

• Title -- Title of specific research process or experiment
• Author -- Author of the document
• Date -- Date document was created or revised
• Name of Responsible Person -- The Principal Investigator, Laboratory Supervisor, or Autonomous Researcher who is responsible for the research process or experiment
• Location of Work -- Laboratory room(s) and location(s) where the SOP applies

1. Process or Experiment Description

• Description of the process or experiment that the SOP covers. This process may be described in general terms, such as “extraction” and “distillation” or in more detailed terms such as “spectrophotometer analysis of cholester extraction.”
• List the expected duration and frequency of the research process or experiment.

2. Risk Assessment

• Possible risks involved with failure to follow SOP. Identify specific potential hazards (e.g., flammability, corrosivity, reactivity/explosion, acute toxicity, carcinogenicity).

3. Safety Equipment

Specify all equipment needed to safely perform research process or experiment.

• Engineering/ventilation controls (e.g., fume hood use, explosion shielding, equipment interlocks)
• Personal protective equipment (for gloves, specify appropriate type)
• Location of necessary emergency safety equipment (e.g., eyewash/showers, fire extinguishers, fire alarms).

4. Designated Area

Indicate the specific designated area(s) for work with particularly hazardous chemicals. The entire laboratory, a portion of the laboratory or a laboratory fume hood may be considered as a designated area.

5. Step-by-Step Operating Procedure

Sequential description of work, including details such as chemical concentrations and when special safety equipment is to be utilized.

6. Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements

• Describe special storage requirements for hazardous chemicals in your laboratory. (e.g., Store all hydrofluoric acid (HF) and HF waste in labeled chemically compatible containers (e.g., polyethylene or Teflon). Many common materials will degrade from contact with HF. Place containers in polyethylene secondary containment trays).
• Describe safe methods of transporting chemicals, such as using bottle carriers.

7. Decontamination

• Indicate any specific decontamination procedures for personnel, equipment, or areas.

8. Emergency Procedures

• How spills, personnel exposure/injury, and other accidents should be handled and by whom.
• Emergency contact numbers (PI, EH&S spill assistance x5-9999, x9-911 (x286 in School of Medicine)).

9. Waste Disposal

Determine amounts of waste anticipated and appropriate disposal procedures.

10. Training Requirements

• List the general and lab-specific trainings required –
  • General health and safety training includes, but is not limited to:
    • General Safety & Emergency Preparedness (EHS-4200)
    • Chemical Safety for Laboratories (EHS-1900)
    • Compressed Gas Safety (EHS 2200), as needed
    • Biosafety (EHS-1500), as needed
    • Radiation Safety (EHS-5250), as needed
    • Fire Extinguisher Use (EHS 3400), as needed
  • Lab-specific training includes, but is not limited to:
    • Laboratory Orientation
    • Review of Standard Operating Procedures
    • Review of MSDSs for chemicals used

11. Approval Required

Laboratory personnel shall seek and the PI/Laboratory Supervisor must provide prior approval of any chemical usage involving Restricted Chemicals. PI/Laboratory Supervisors should be consulted on higher hazard chemicals usage and operations.