Chemical SOPs

If you operate a chemical laboratory, you must have standard operating procedures (SOPs) that describe the safety measures you require when using chemicals.

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Last Updated: March 27, 2025

If you operate a chemical laboratory as defined in Washington Administrative Code 296-828, Using Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, you must have standard operating procedures (SOPs) that describe the safety measures you require when using chemicals.

To assist you in writing SOPs, a blank SOP template  and example SOPs below are provided for you to use or to modify to your specific location and procedures and use. 

  • An SOP can address a single chemical, a group of similar chemicals, or a process.
  • Any format of SOP is acceptable provided the minimum safety elements are addressed.
  • The minimum safety elements are found on the SOP Required Elements Checklist.

 Please refer to Section 6 of the UW Laboratory Safety Manual for more information about SOPs.

Lists of SOPs and guidelines for download

Below are links to example SOPs and guidance documents which can be used to assist in the development of your site-specific SOP. 

This type of SOP is frequently used when a process is completely described from first step to last and activities such as fume hood use, varying PPE use, and waste neutralization are integrated into the steps. The EH&S template SOP may not be useful for this type of SOP except to cover items difficult to organize in a logical manner in the procedure, such as spill cleanup, perhaps. 

Guidelines for the use of specific chemicals are located on the Specific Chemical Hazards page.

Blank SOP Template

SOP Checklist