Safe Operating Procedures

A safe operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organisation to help workers carry out complex routine operations. SOP's aim to achieve efficiency, quality output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with industry regulations.

SOP's should be written with sufficient detail to ensure that someone with limited experience or knowledge of the procedure, but with a basic understanding, can successfully carry out the procedure in a safe manner when unsupervised. They should be written in concise, logical, step-by-step, easy-to-read format.