SOP, Are They Really Necessary?
OSHA, NEP, ANSI, EPA, PPE – when is it going to stop? You can come across all of these acronyms when dealing with occupational safety, health and environmental concerns. If your responsibilities as a supervisor, business owner or labor representative involve ensuring the safety and health of your employees along with compliance with any and all applicable regulatory agencies, then you better get used to and fully understand what the noted acronyms stand for. Above acronyms reference:
- OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- NEP – National Emphasis Program
- ANSI - American National Standards Institute
- EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
- PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
These are just a few, but very important few. Then we have SOP, which stands for Standard Operating Procedures.
What Exactly Is an SOP?
An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is a written document which describes how to perform a particular task or operation in a step-by-step outline manner or form. Once adopted, every employee must adhere to and follow the same procedures so as to ensure that a task or operation is performed consistently, correctly and safely. These SOPs should be developed for each and every task and operation within your business.
Are SOPs Regulated or Required by Any Agency?
No. There is no federal or state agency which requires the development and implementation of an SOP. That can be a good thing, but without any mandated reason, there is no approved format for an SOP. Industry and “best practices” do outline and note expectations as to how an SOP should be written, but they may be different among industries.
What Would an SOP Look Like?
The SOP is written in a format which resembles an instruction manual. It is written in imperative sentences rather than a narrative style – sort of like a cookbook format. You begin by simply stating the required task, telling the reader what needs to be done. Often the descriptions or instructions are numbered, suggesting the order they are to be performed.
Are All SOPs the Same?
No. Standard Operating Procedures are developed or may be developed to address different concerns. You may want to develop an SOP for quality control, consumer request, raw material monitoring or safety and health concerns. Often, properly developed SOPs will address all of these specifics.
What Are the Benefits of an SOP?
As noted above, the reasoning behind the SOP can control raw material usage, ensure product quality and identify and act upon any noted safety and health concerns. A properly developed SOP is a very useful tool during any employee training program or employee orientation and especially during an accident or incident investigation.
Summary
I would highly recommend that no matter what type of business you are in, you develop an SOP for every task and process within your business. Although it may take some time, it will prove to be a very beneficial and useful tool. Have a safe day.
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