Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Template
University of Iowa
Keep both a readily accessible hard copy and an electronic copy of the completed procedure in the lab.
Lab and Contact Information
Date
SOP Title
Principal Investigator
Room and Building
Lab Phone Number
Refer to Guidance/Tips for SOP Preparation for assistance before completing this template.
Section 1 – Description (Provide a brief summary of the purpose for this SOP and what it covers)
SOP is for a specific chemical or class of chemicals with similar hazards (examples: air-reactive or
unstable chemicals, oxidizing acids, hydrofluoric acid);
SOP is for a general lab operation/process that could apply to several chemicals (examples:
distillation, rotary evaporation);
SOP is for a specific protocol/experiment/procedure (examples: a specific chemical synthesis
reaction, perfusion of rodents with paraformaldehyde solution).
Description:
Section 2 – Hazardous Chemicals
(List all chemicals used in this procedure or process and any common synonyms that will be used.)
Section 3 – Potential Hazards (Describe physical and health hazards for chemicals or categories of chemicals;
describe potential process and/or equipment hazards.)
Section 4 – Hazard Control Measures, Containment/Equipment (Describe engineering/ventilation
controls such as fume hoods or containment devices such as glove boxes)
Section 5 – Hazard Control Measures, Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements (Describe
safe work and storage practices to minimize hazards such as temperature control, keep containers closed at all
times, incompatibilities with other materials, etc.)
Section 6 – Personal Protective Equipment/PPE (Describe specific PPE needed to minimize exposure)
Section 7 – Spill and Accident Procedures (Describe any spill management supplies that will be maintained
readily accessible and any other special procedures to follow in case of an accident.)
Section 8 – Waste Management/Disposal (Describe any special waste management procedures if different
than described in the EHS Waste Management Guidelines and Procedures document.)
Section 9– Approvals Required (Describe, if applicable, any special approvals required before conducting this
work such as approval by Principal Investigator or lab supervisor before beginning work.)
Section 10 – Designated Area/Communications (For work involving particularly hazardous materials,
identify the area where the work will be conducted and to where it will be confined; identify any communication
that will be done to assure other lab staff know the hazards and location of this work.)
Section 11 – Decontamination (Describe any procedures necessary to clean work areas or equipment after
use or to keep hazardous material fully contained in the controlled area described in Section 8.)
Section 12 – Process Steps (Optional)
Process Steps
Safety Measures
Section 13 - Training Documentation
Name (Printed)
Signature
Date
Guidance/Tips for SOP Preparation
If the chemicals or hazards
are:
These controls may be needed
(including but not limited to the examples below)
(including but not limited to the
examples below)
All chemicals/equipment
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Fine powders that can easily
become airborne
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Chemicals that easily vaporize
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Toxicity, Adverse Health Effects
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Eliminate the hazard if at all possible
Substitute the material or process with a less hazardous one
Isolate/control the hazard at the source and do not allow it to migrate
to the air or surroundings
o Use an engineering control such as a fume hood or biosafety
cabinet
Use an administrative control such as a safe work practice to minimize
exposure to the hazard (e.g., use only with another person present,
restrict use for specific time period, use only in a designated location)
Use personal protective clothing and equipment to minimize contact
with/exposure to the material(s)
Become aware of the route of exposure for your material and process
(inhalation, eye/skin contact, injection
Become aware of any exposure limits for your material, if any
Plan how you will label containers to alert others to contents and
hazards
Plan ahead to safely transport the material from one location to
another so spills/releases are minimized
Become aware of the safe storage method for the material (e.g., what
is it incompatible with it?), any expiration dates, and any periodic
testing needed to assure material stays stable
Emergency preparedness plans (spill and accident prevention and
procedures)
Use in fume hood or biosafety cabinet
Use in solution as much as possible (use wet methods to control dust
release)
Avoid/minimize activities that cause the material to become airborne
(pouring, agitation, shaking, stirring, vibration, etc.)
To weigh if balance is not enclosed in hood or other enclosure, tare a
container, add powder to container in the fume hood, cover container
before returning to weigh material using the balance
Emergency preparedness plans (spill and accident prevention and
procedures)
Use in fume hood (Do not use in biosafety cabinet)
Keep containers closed as much as possible to prevent vapor release
Use in a closed system
Avoid/minimize activities that cause the material to become airborne,
including production of aerosols (pouring, agitation, shaking, stirring,
vibration, etc.)
Emergency preparedness plans (spill and accident prevention and
procedures)
Use in fume hood or with other protective ventilation device
Substitute safer material if possible
Keep work area well controlled to prevent spread of hazardous
material
Assure all coworkers have knowledge of material hazards
Assess need for respiratory protection
Emergency preparedness plans (spill and accident prevention and
procedures)
If the chemicals or hazards
are:
These controls may be needed
(including but not limited to the examples below)
(including but not limited to the
examples below)
Flammability
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Reactivity
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Body contact
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Use in fume hood
Prevent contact with ignition source
Keep away from heat sources
Control electrostatic discharge
Control temperature of reaction
Do not use metal or sparking tools
Keep away from fuel sources
Control use in an inert atmosphere
Evaluate need for flame-retardant, flame-resistant clothing
Emergency preparedness plans (spill and accident prevention and
procedures; appropriate fire extinguisher is available)
Use in fume hood, glove box or bag, other engineering control
Control use in dry atmosphere
Control use in an inert atmosphere
Place a blast shield between you and your work
Evaluate need for flame-resistant, flame-resistant clothing
Separate from other materials with which chemical is reactive where
possible
Emergency preparedness plans (spill and accident prevention and
procedures)
Lab coats
Chemical Safety Goggles
Face Shield
Chemical Apron
Nitrile, vinyl, or latex gloves
Specific chemical-resistant gloves, heavier barrier gloves
Thermal or insulated gloves
Cut-resistant gloves
Flame-retardant, flame-resistant clothing, gloves
Goggles that block specific wavelengths, intensity (e.g., for lasers, UV
lights, infrared-emitting process or equipment)
UV face shield
Lead apron
Assure eye wash is available
Assure safety shower is available
Emergency preparedness plans (spill and accident prevention and
procedures)