Laboratory SOPs are available
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific for that unit’s safety should be developed by the P.I. or laboratory supervisor to minimize the potential exposure of personnel to potentially hazardous biological and chemical materials. These written procedures must be readily available and members of the laboratory running the experiments must be trained on how to follow them.
References:
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules. April 2019. Section IV-B-7-d-(1) and (2)
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. HHS Publication No. (CDC) 21- 1112, 5th Edition
- MSU Biosafety Manual
- MSU Bloodborne Exposure Control Plan
- MSU Chemical Hygiene Plan 1.7
- MIOSHA R 325.70107(b)
Corrective actions:
SOPs are documents developed to contain safety procedures when dealing with infectious organisms, bloodborne agents and/or hazardous chemicals. They should list and explain the series of PPEs, engineering controls and measure you can take for your safety and for the safety of others while performing a laboratory task. Discuss with lab employees and students the SOPs for each particular task/experiment. Make paper or electronic copies readily available for consultation. While SOPs are recommended for all laboratory operations, it is particularly important for highly hazardous chemicals, operations or dangerous equipment. Inspectors will ask to see SOPs for items such as toxic gases, highly toxic compounds, potentially dangerous equipment, highly reactive chemicals, etc.
The use of perchloric acid is strictly controlled at MSU. Heated perchloric acid can create potentially explosive perchlorate salts that deposit on equipment and ventilation elements. All laboratories using or storing perchloric acid will be required to follow all of the requirements outlined in the following document:
All users of hydrofluoric acid must also follow MSU guidelines when using and storing this compound. This includes having a readily accessible and well-stocked HF exposure kit on hand at all times.
Other examples of SOP templates can be found below:
Guidelines for creating SOPs can be found here: Standard Operating Procedures