SOP-018 / SOP v1.0
Hazardous materials and volatile solvents
Operations creating exposure, dust, droplets or flammable vapours.
Procedure
- Review the exact material’s current SDS and hazardous-drug lists. Distinguish drug potency, sensitisation, reproductive toxicity and physical ignition hazard.
- Record quantity, frequency, exposure route and open-handling stage. Select engineering containment before PPE.
- For flammable solvents select compatible equipment and ventilation, remove ignition sources and do not arbitrarily heat sealed containers. A powder enclosure is not automatically suitable for vapours.
- Choose gloves for the actual solvent permeation and task duration. Record glove changes, eye protection and suitable respiratory protection where the assessment requires it.
- Provide compatible spill materials, waste collection and an exposure plan. Cleaning addresses active/allergen residue, not only visible powder.
- The responsible person authorises work only if available controls cover the actual hazard. If inadequate, refer preparation to a suitable facility.
Stop criterion
Missing suitable containment, ventilation or compatibility information: stop before handling.
Related forms
Sources and references
- NIOSH — Managing Hazardous Drug Exposures: Information for Healthcare SettingsDHHS (NIOSH) 2023-130Risk assessment and activity-specific control table, printed pp. 27–33Exposure routes and hierarchy of occupational controls2026-09-12
- NIOSH List of Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings, 20242024 list, publication 2025-103Drug lists and inclusion criteriaHazard identification; absence from list is not evidence that a chemical is harmless2026-09-12
- PIC/S — Guide to Good Practices for the Preparation of Medicinal Products in Healthcare EstablishmentsPE 010-4, 1 March 2014Chapters 1–9; Annex 2 (nonsterile liquids, creams, ointments)Professional quality-system framework; not automatic national legal adoption or certification2026-09-12