Standard Operating Procedures
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a written hazard analysis document detailing how to safely work with hazardous chemicals.
SOPs are required when the chemical or process you will be using has unique hazards not covered by the general chemical information in the MSU Chemical Hygiene Plan.
The complexity and detail of an SOP is dependent on the unique hazards of the proposed experiment. Some SOPs will require more information and collaboration with EHS to complete (including EHS signatures for approval); SOPs for common processes can be reviewed and completed in short order.
As an administrative control, SOPs allow Principal Investigators to ensure they are apprised of their employee's activities and take the opportunity to discuss safety in a structured format. SOPs should be included as part of a group's Site-Specific Training process. During safety inspections, EHS staff will ask to review SOPs for the lab.
The SOP Writing Process
SOP templates are provided below. If you are unsure if your proposed experiment or activity needs an SOP, please contact EHS at 517-355-0153 or ehs@msu.edu for a consultation.
SOPs requiring EHS review and approval
If the SOP template has a signature line at the bottom for EHS, it will need to be reviewed and approved by EHS before implementing in the laboratory. Complete the template according to the directions, and submit to EHS for review at ehs@msu.edu
Once approved, train lab employees on the SOP and keep the SOP on the premises where the experiment will take place. EHS inspectors will ask to see the SOP during routine safety inspections.
| Chemical or Process | Template | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Acetylene | Acetylene Gas (DOCX) | Used in organic synthesis or gas chromatography |
| Air or Water Reactive Compounds | Reactives (DOCX) | Alkali metals, hydrides, permanganates, etc. |
| Aqua regia | Acids (DOCX) | Nitric acid + hydrochloric acid |
| Chemicals with specific MIOSHA regulations | Toxic Chemicals (DOCX) | MIOSHA Air Contaminants Standard (PDF) |
| Elemental Mercury | N/A | Not permitted; needs special approval |
| Fine metal powders | Reactives (DOCX) | For pyrophoric powders |
| Flammable gases | Flammable gas (DOCX) | Methane, ethylene oxide, etc. |
| Formaldehyde | Toxic Chemicals (DOCX) | Anatomy spaces, large volume of tissue preservation, 30% or greater concentration |
| Hydrofluoric acid | Hydrofluoric Acid (DOCX) | Glass cleaning, glass etching, etc. |
| Hydrogen Fluoride Releasers | Hydrogen Fluoride Releaser (DOCX) | Ammonium bifluoride, PMSF, trifluoroacetic acid, etc. Excludes trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) |
| Hydrogen gas | Hydrogen Gas (DOCX) | For 100% hydrogen or flammable mixtures. Excludes toxic mixtures |
| Lead | Toxic Chemicals (DOCX) | For both elemental lead and lead compounds |
| MIOSHA Class 'A' Toxic Chemicals | Toxic Chemicals (DOCX) | MIOSHA Carcinogen Standard (PDF) |
| Nanomaterials | Nanomaterials (DOCX) | For materials containing nanoparticles (1-100 nm in size) such as carbon nanotubes Also see Nanomaterial Safety Program |
| Organic Mercury | Organic Mercury (DOCX) | Ethylmercury, methylmercury, etc. |
| Osmium tetroxide | Osmium Tetroxide (DOCX) | Typically used in electron microscopy |
| Parr reactors | Parr Reactor (DOCX) | For heated, pressurized reaction vessels Parr reactor safety (PDF) ASME steam tables (PDF) |
| Perchloric acid | Perchloric Acid (DOCX) | Strong oxidizer, often used in tissue digestion Hot perchloric use is not permitted. |
| PFAS | Generic (DOCX) | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances |
| Piranha solution | Acids (DOCX) | Sulfuric acid + hydrogen peroxide |
| Sodium Azide | Reactives (DOCX) | Excludes DNA/RNA isolation solutions with extremely low sodium azide concentrations |
| Toxic gases | Toxic Gas (DOCX) | CO, silane, ammonia, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, ozone, etc. either in cylinders or generated during the experiment. |
SOPs with optional EHS review and approval
These SOPs are required, but the EHS review and signature is optional. Complete the SOP template, train laboratory employees on it and keep on the premises where the activities will take place. EHS inspectors may ask to see a copy of these SOPs during routine safety inspections.
| Chemical or Process | Template | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrochloric acid glassware bath | HCl Bath (DOCX) | HCl only |
| Flammable solvent + corrosive bath for glassware | Flammable + Corrosive Bath (DOCX) | Excludes certain high-hazard acids |
| Hydrogen cylinder- single | Hydrogen Cylinder (DOCX) | When used in a GC apparatus |
Generic SOP Template
Use the Generic SOP template (DOCX) when a SOP is required and no dedicated template is available. Before beginning work on new SOPs, please email EHS with a brief description of your process. EHS will write the SOP content in conjunction with your lab.