Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Click to edit Master subtitle style

4/18/12

Standard Operating Procedures

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are the detailed written instructions that specify how a test or administrative procedure is to be performed, or how a piece of equipment is operated, maintained and calibrated. They are very concise and specific step-by-step instructions.
Click to edit are encouraged to have SOPs for EstablishmentsMaster subtitle style every task or activity in the facility. SOPs are also very useful in training employees and in establishing a consistent method for conducting daily operations.

4/18/12

Reasons to write SOPs

1. To provide people with all the safety, health, environmental and operational information necessary to perform a job properly. 2. To ensure that security operations are performed consistently to maintain quality control of processes and Click to edit Master subtitle style products. 3. To ensure that business processes continue uninterrupted and are completed on a prescribed schedule. 4. To ensure that no failures occur in manufacturing and other business processes that would harm anyone in the 4/18/12 surrounding community.

Reasons to write SOPs

5. To ensure that approved procedures are followed in compliance with company and government regulations. 6. To serve as a training document for teaching users about the process for which the SOP was written. 7. To serve as a checklist for co-workers who observe job Click to edit Master subtitle style performance to reinforce proper performance. 8. To serve as a checklist for auditors.

4/18/12

Typical Outline

SOP

Content

Title Date with revision numbers, if any Department or Division Issuing SOP Brief introduction on the purpose of particular SOP Concise Scope of Work Statement on Policy and Standards of Care Set Policy Jurisdiction / Department and impacted stakeholders Click to edit Master subtitle Designate SOP inspection style enforcement by and ___________. Handling potential situations envisioned by policy Forms and tools required for implementation of policy Training expectation and materials Addendum with Terms, Definitions, other technical data if needed Periodic evaluation and policy updating 4/18/12

How to develop SOP?

Plan First draft Internal review External review Testing Master subtitle style Click to edit Post Train Update

4/18/12

Writing Style of SOPs

Clear and concise getting directly to the point and avoiding wordy sentences. Standard operating procedures should be communicated in the fewest possible words, phrases, and paragraphs. Master subtitle style Click to edit Complete containing all the necessary information to perform the procedure, Objectivecontaining facts, not opinions, and Coherentshowing a logical thought process and sequentially listing all steps necessary to complete the 4/18/12

Who should be involved in Writing SOPs

SOPs should be written by teams that include some or all of the following people: those who will perform the job those who will perform maintenance on equipment involved in an SOP engineers or others who design equipment and Click to edit Master subtitle style processes technical writers safety personnel environmental personnel equipment manufacturers

4/18/12