Safety and Health Program - Employer's SOP

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are documents that provide step-by-step instructions designed to help workers carry out routine, complex activities (such as site decontamination and respirator fit testing). Standard Operating Procedures typically include checklists. These procedures should be as follows:

• Prepared in advance
• Based on the best available information, operational principles, and technical guidance
• Field-tested by qualified health and safety professionals, and revised as appropriate
• Appropriate to the types of risks at that site
• Formulated to be easy to understand and practice
• Provided in writing to all site personnel, who should be briefed on their use
• Included in training programs for site personnel

An SOP should also include a Contingency Plan for safe and effective responses to emergencies.

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