Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) provide a consistent method for performing work safely and effectively. SOPs help identify hazards, establish appropriate controls, and ensure that laboratory personnel understand the expectations for specific tasks and procedures.
The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology maintains SOP resources to support safe laboratory operations. These resources include both hazard-specific procedures and routine laboratory practices that help promote consistency across the department.
Laboratory-Specific SOPs
Each research group maintains a Laboratory Compliance Folder containing the current SOPs required for their work. These SOPs are specific to the hazards, chemicals, equipment, and procedures used within that laboratory.
Before performing a new task or working with a new hazard, laboratory personnel should:
- Review the applicable SOP.
- Receive training from their Principal Investigator (PI), supervisor, or designated trainer.
- Ask questions before beginning work.
- Sign the required training documentation when applicable.
Signed SOP acknowledgements and training records should be maintained within the laboratory's Compliance Folder.
Department SOP Resources
The SOP resources below are intended to provide guidance for common laboratory activities, department-wide practices, and frequently used safety procedures.
Laboratory Operations
- Washing Laboratory Glassware
- Broken Glass Boxes
- Cleaning Shared Equipment
- Weekly Laboratory Housekeeping
- Refrigerator & Freezer Maintenance
- Chemical Labeling
- Transporting Chemicals Between Labs
- Restocking Spill Kits
- Restocking PPE
- How to Request Chemical Waste Pickup
- Receiving Chemical Deliveries
- Chemical Inventory Updates (RMM)
- SHARPS Needles
Safety Equipment
- Eyewash Testing
- Spill Kit Inspection
- Fire Extinguisher Inspection (Awareness)
- Fume Hood Alarm Response
- Gas Cylinder Changeout
- Cryogen Fill Procedure
Equipment
Shared Instrument Spaces
- Etiquette
- Vacuum Pump Oil Disposal
- Shared Instrument Cleanup
- Booking Shared Equipment
- Reporting Instrument Problems
Administrative SOPs
- Pregnancy in Labs
- Service Animals in labs
- Reporting an Incident
- New Graduate Student Safety Orientation
- Hosting Visitors
- Bringing Minors into the Department
- Space Moves
- Laboratory Closeout
Chemical Hazards
- Azides
- Corrosives
- Ethidium Bromide
- Flammables
- Hydrofluoric Acid
- Dichloromethane (DCM) Use
- Liquid Nitrogen
- Nanoparticles
- Particularly Hazardous Substances (PHS)
- Peroxide-Forming Chemicals
- Phenol and Phenol Quick Guide
- Pyrophorics
Emergency Procedures
- Area Emergency Plan
- Chemical Spill
- Cryogen Exposure
- Fire
- Mercury Spill
- COVID-19 protocol
Developing or Updating an SOP
When a new hazard, chemical, process, or piece of equipment is introduced, an SOP should be reviewed or developed before work begins. Questions about SOP development, review, or implementation can be directed to the Safety Coordinator.
