How to writeSTANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP’s)

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

• Definition: A standard operating procedures (SOP) is set of written procedures explaining how to safely work with hazardous chemicals.

• Why SOP's Are Required: In order to ensure the safety of all members of the lab and to make the Laboratory and Research Safety Plan a legal document, principal

investigators must add laboratory specific procedures to the plan.• When SOP's Are Required: SOP's are required additions to the

Laboratory and Research Safety Plan in any laboratory engaging in activities not otherwise covered by the Plan.

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING SOP's

Three methods that can be used to write SOP's:

• By Process: (distillation, synthesis, chromatography, etc.)

• By Individual Hazardous Chemical: (arsenic, benzene, hydrochloric acid, etc.)

• By Hazardous Chemical Class: (flammable, corrosive, oxidizer, etc.)

Section 1: Determine the appropriate method:

• Process (i.e. distillation, synthesis, chromatography, etc.)• Hazardous Chemical (i.e. arsenic, benzene,

hydrochloric acid, etc.)• Hazard Class (i.e. flammable, corrosive,

oxidizer, etc.)

Section 2: Describe Process,Hazardous Chemical, or Hazard Class

Process Describe the process which involves hazardous chemicals. List all ‐chemicals used in the process.

Hazardous Chemical Name the hazardous chemical for which the SOP is ‐being developed. Include IUPAC (International Union of Pure andApplied Chemistry), common name, and any abbreviation(s) used for the chemical.

Hazard Class Describe the hazard associated with a particular group of ‐similar chemicals and list the chemicals used in the laboratory.

Section 3: Potential Hazards

Describe the potential hazards for each process, hazardous chemical, or hazard class. Include physical and health hazards. Such as fire, explosion, burns to the skin, toxic fume generation, absorption through the skin, or cancer suspect.

Section 4: Personal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE)

• Identify the required level of personal protective equipment and hygiene practices needed for each process, hazardous chemical, or hazard class.

• Eye protection must be made available to all employees and visitors to the lab. Skin and body protection involves the use of PPE to protect against chemical exposure.

• Personal protective equipment includes (but is not limited to): gloves, aprons, lab coats, safety glasses, chemical splash goggles and face shields.‐

Section 5: Engineering Controls

Describe engineering controls that will be used to prevent or reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals for the process, hazardous chemical, or hazard class. This includes ventilation devices such as fume hoods, glove boxes, etc.

Section 6: Special Handling & StorageRequirements

List storage requirements for the hazardous chemicals involved in the SOP, including specific storage areas, storage according to compatibility and policies regarding access to chemicals. Special procedures such as dating peroxide forming chemicals upon receipt, and opening and testing for peroxide formationafter the appropriate date (i.e. diethyl ether).

Section 7: Spill and AccidentProcedures

Indicate how spills or accidental releases will be handled and by whom. List the location of appropriate emergency equipment (spill kits, showers, eye washes, and fire equipment).Any special requirements for personnel exposure should also be identified in this section. Identify the location of emergencyresponse phone numbers.

If items such as glove boxes, hoods, lab benches and controlled areas have been contaminated by hazardous chemicals, remove chemical contaminants with appropriate solvents or cleaning solutions.

Section 8: Decontamination Procedures

Section 9: Waste Disposal Procedures

Indicate which materials or substances will

require disposal as hazardous waste. Each

container of hazardous waste must be labeled

with a completed red waste tag attached. Red Tags are available through EHS.

Section 10: Material Safety DataSheet Location

MSDS's are available from the EHS website, www.ehs.psu.edu, by googling the chemical name online, or by contacting EHS.Also, indicate the location of other pertinentsafety information, i.e. equipment manuals,chemical references, etc.

Section 11: Protocol(s)

Insert a copy of your specific laboratoryprocedures for working with this particularprocess, hazardous chemical or hazard class.

HYDOFLUORIC ACID

Hydrofluoric Acid SOP

Section 1: HAZARD CLASS

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) 70% and dilutedsolutions. DANGER, strong corrosive, highlytoxic, acutely toxic.

Section 2: DESCRIBE PROCESS, HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL OR HAZARD CLASS

Mineral digestion, surface cleaning, etching and biological staining.

Section 3: POTENTIAL HAZARDS

Extremely corrosive and destructive to tissue. specialized medical treatment is required for all exposures. May be fatal if inhaled, absorbed through skin, or swallowed. May cause depletion of calcium in the body which may be fatal. Skin contact results in painful deep seated burns that are ‐slow to heal. Far more care is needed with HF than other acids.

Section 4: PERSONAL PROTECTIVEEQUIPMENT

Chemical splash goggles, thick neoprenechemical resistant gloves and lab coat. Thick neoprene gloves, lab coat,

neoprene apron, chemical splash goggles and a face shield should be used for handling quantities over 1 pint.

Section 5: ENGINEERING or VENTILATION CONTROLS

Handle HF solutions in a fume hood or use other suitable local exhaust.

Section 6: SPECIAL HANDLING PROCEDURES & STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Extreme care must be taken to prevent conditions that would lead to spills or splashes of hydrofluoric acid. Make everyone who handles or uses HF aware

of its properties and dangers. Train everyone who uses HF in proper handling and safety precautions. Utilize all appropriate engineering controls, and making sure that the controls are maintained and functioning properly. Require

everyone who handles HF to have the proper safetyand personal protective equipment. Arrange ahead of time toprovide first aid or medical treatment measures if necessary.• Store hydrofluoric acid in a secondary polyethylene container.Hydrofluoric acid can be stored with other mineral acids. Glass and silicate‐

containing materials are attacked by hydrofluoric acid.Hydrofluoric acid reacts with metal to produce flammable hydrogen gas.

Section 7: SPILL AND ACCIDENTPROCEDURES

Plan first aid action before beginning workwith this product. Always have on hand a firstaid kit containing 2.5 % calcium gluconate gel.For any splash to skin, eyes or inhalation, call911 immediately.

Section 7: SPILL AND ACCIDENTPROCEDURES

Skin Contact

Limit washing to 5 minutes if treatment specific for HF exposure is available. Remove all contaminated clothing while washing continuously. After thorough washing for at least 5 minutes, 2.5% calcium gluconate gel may be continuously massaged into the burn area until the pain is relieved. Get medical attention immediately by calling 911.

Section 7: SPILL AND ACCIDENTPROCEDURES

Eye Contact

Irrigate eyes for at least 15 minutes with copious quantities of water, keeping eyelids apart and away from eyeballs during irrigation. Get medical attention immediately by calling 911.

Section 7: SPILL AND ACCIDENTPROCEDURES

InhalationRemove to fresh air. Keep patient warm and atrest. Get medical attention immediately by calling 911. If breathing has stopped, start artificial respiration at once.

Section 8: DECONTAMINATIONPROCEDURES

Neutralize any contaminated surfaces or equipment with sodium bicarbonate solution.

Section 9: WASTE DISPOSALPROCEDURES

Collect waste in original plastic shippingcontainer or in suitable plastic (polyethylene)waste container. Do not use glass or metalcontainers. If possible, do not mix with otherwaste materials.

http://www51.honeywell.com/sm/hfacid/common/documents/MSDS_HF_70_V1_technical_doc.pdf

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary: Hydrogen Fluoride and Hydrofluoric Acid http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=4911&page=338

Recommended Medical Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposurehttp://www.colorado.edu/ehs/pdf/HWMedHFExpo.pdf

Section 10: MSDS LOCATION