Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
Emergency Response Division
Environmental Response Branch, MS-101
United States	Office of	January 1992
Environmental Protection Solid Waste and
Agency	Emergency Response
Creating SOP
Documents
Quality Assurance Technical
Information Bulletin
Purpose
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are intended
to provide a project team with a uniform approach to
routine tasks and a consistent basis for training and
auditing. The objective of this bulletin is to discuss the
importance of SOPs, the content of SOPs, the control
of SOPs, specific SOPs which are available through the
ERT, and responsibilities associated with SOPs.
Reasons for Development
SOPs are developed to document the specific activities
that make up a routine operation and the jecom-
mended sequence of those activities. In addition, the
SOP can be used as a tool to train new personnel in
how to properly perform an activity. SOPs can provide
a basis for the development of other SOPs for similar
or related activities. As routine operations are carried
out, the steps outlined in the SOP should be followed.
However, as activities progress, new and different
practices could be discovered and implemented.
Upon completion of the activity, the actual procedure
followed by field and lab personnel should be docu-
mented. This may lead to revision of the SOP.
Another reason for developing written SOPs is that
they provide criteria which allow someone who is inde-
pendent of the activity being performed to verify that
the activity is being performed correctly.'
ERT SOPs
ERT has developed detailed SOPs for approximately
45 different field analytical, sampling and technical
activities. In addition, these SOPs were grouped by
technical areas and have been published in seven com-
pendiums:
•	ERT Groundwater Sampling Procedures
(OSWER Directive 9360.4-06)
•	ERT Waste Sampling Procedures (OSWER
Directive 9360.4-07)
•	ERT Soil Sampling and Surface Geophysics
. Procedures (OSWER Directive 9360.4-02)
•	ERT Surface Water and Sediment Sampling
Procedures (OSWER Directive 9360.4-03)
•	ERT Toxicity Testing Procedures (OSWER
Directive 9360.4-08)
•	ERT Field Analytical Procedures (OSWER
Directive 9360.4-04)
•	ERT Air Sampling Procedures (OSWER
Directive 9360.4-05)
Contents
At a minimum, SOPs should include the sections
described below. Some sections will not be relevant
for certain SOPs. In such cases, indicate that the sec-
tion is not applicable under the header. Do not just
delete the section.
Scope and Application - a description of the sample
collection, analytical or other technical activities to
which the SOP applies. In addition, the media/matrix,
chemical compounds of interest, and concentration
levels which can be obtained, shall be described, as
applicable.
Method Summary - a brief summary of the method.
Sample Preservation, Containers, Handling and
Storage - a description of the amount of sample to be
collected, the sample container type, chemical preser-
vation, if required, and storage requirements.

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Interferences and Potential Problems - a description
of environmental conditions, weather conditions, or
non-targeted chemicals that can cause problems
and/or interferences of which the user should be
aware.
Equipment/Apparatus - the names and model num-
bers of equipment and/or instruments used in the
procedure, including ancillary equipment such as
power supplies, data acquisition equipment, re-
corders, etc.
Reagents - a list of all chemical reagents used in the
procedure (i.e., cylinder gases, acids, solvents,- stand-
ards, powdered reagents). In addition, a description
of preparation methods of any stock solution (i.e., 10%
nitric acid, etc.) should be included.
Procedure - a step-by-step list of how the actual sample
collection, analytical procedure or technical activity is
performed.
Calculations - equations/formulas for calculating
results and associated units of measurement. If direct
read-out, this should also be stated.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control - list and frequen-
cy of QA/QC samples that are to be collected and
analyzed with the environmental samples (i.e., blanks,
duplicates, spikes, and PE's). Acceptance criteria for
each QA/QC sample should be given. In addition,
other QA/QC activities such as equipment calibration,
background sample collection, implementation of
manufacturer's instructions, etc. should also be listed.
Data Validation - indicate how data is reviewed
against identification and quantitation criteria. Also
indicate how data is qualified when QA/QC accep-
tance criteria are exceeded (i.e., data is rejected or
flagged, etc.)
Health and Safety - a discussion of potential problems
which may require personal protective equipment and
other standard safety practices to be considered.
References - a list of documents which were consulted
in the development of the SOP or which may provide
further information on a particular subject.
Control of SOPs
SOPs are controlled to ensure that procedures are
understood and are in the hands of those responsible
for performing the activities. Before SOPs and
revisions thereto, are released, they should be
reviewed to ensure that their contents are adequate
and accurate, and that quality requirements are ap-
propriately stated. Obsolete' or superseded SOPs must
be controlled to prevent inadvertent use. In the ERT
system, this control is ensured through the main-
tenance of a master list of SOPs which includes the
current revision level and publication date of all SOPs.
In addition, the revision levels and publication dates
are printed in the upper right corner of all pages of each
SOP. As SOPs are revised, the revision levels and
publication dates are changed to reflect this. For the
compendiums, the publication date is printed on the
cover sheet and title page.
Submittal of SOPs
SOPs may be submitted to the Removal Program QA
Officer for consideration for use as an ERT SOP. The
SOP must address all of the sections described above.
The author will be notified of acceptance or rejection
of the SOP upon review by the Removal Program QA
Officer or designee.
Distribution of SOPs
Individual ERT SOPs are available on an as-requested
basis from the Removal Program QA Officer. Com-
pendiums of ERT SOPs are available through the Na-
tional Technical Information Service, (703) 487-4600;
the ERT Bulletin Board, (908) 906-6968; and U.S. EPA
Superfund/RCRA Hotline, (800) 424-9346.
Responsibilities
Users - Prepare SOPs according to the content re-
quirements, as well as industry standards for the
respective activity. Also, perform activities in accord-
ance with SOPs or document any deviations from or
modifications to SOPs.
Section Chiefs - Ensure the development and im-
plementation of SOPs within their respective dis-
ciplines. Also, identify changes needed in any existing
procedure, based on new and relevant information.
QA Officer - Ensures implementation of the content
requirements; maintains the master list of SOPs; en-
courages the development of SOPs; reviews and ap-
proves SOPs.
For more information, contact:
Mr. William Coakley
U.S. EPA, ERT
Phone: (908) 906-6921
Ms. Christine Andreas
Roy F. Weston, Inc./REAC
Phone: (908) 632-9200

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