SOP Guide for Pharma

SOP for Handling and Storing Water-Reactive Raw Materials – V 2.0

SOP for Handling and Storing Water-Reactive Raw Materials – V 2.0

Standard Operating Procedure for Handling and Storing Water-Reactive Raw Materials

Department Warehouse / Quality Assurance / Safety Department
SOP No. SOP/RM/145/2025
Supersedes SOP/RM/145/2022
Page No. Page 1 of 15
Issue Date 14/03/2025
Effective Date 21/03/2025
Review Date 14/03/2026

1. Purpose

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides detailed guidelines for the safe handling, storage, and transport of water-reactive raw materials to prevent hazardous reactions, ensure personnel safety, and maintain product integrity in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

2. Scope

This SOP applies to all employees involved in the receipt, storage, handling, and transportation of water-reactive raw materials within the facility. It covers materials that react violently or produce hazardous by-products upon contact with water.

3. Responsibilities

  • Warehouse Personnel: Ensure correct handling and storage of water-reactive materials, conduct regular inspections, and report any irregularities.
  • Safety Officer: Monitor safety protocols, provide training on emergency procedures, and perform periodic audits.
  • Warehouse Manager: Oversee storage conditions and ensure all procedures are followed.
  • Quality Assurance (QA): Verify material integrity, review documentation, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

4. Accountability

The Warehouse Manager and Safety Officer are accountable for enforcing the correct storage and handling procedures for water-reactive

raw materials. The QA Manager is responsible for verifying compliance with GMP and safety regulations.

5. Procedure

5.1 Identification and Classification of Water-Reactive Materials

  1. Material Identification:
    • Water-reactive materials include substances such as Sodium, Potassium, Calcium Carbide, and Phosphorus Pentachloride.
    • Verify identification through the supplier’s Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
    • Document the identified materials in the Water-Reactive Material Identification Log (Annexure-1).
  2. Classification:
    • Classify materials based on their reactivity:
      • Mild: Minimal reaction with water (e.g., Aluminum Chloride).
      • Moderate: Generates heat or fumes (e.g., Calcium Carbide).
      • Severe: Explosive reactions with water (e.g., Sodium).
    • Record classifications in the material log.

5.2 Storage Requirements

  1. Designated Storage Areas:
    • Store materials in moisture-free, well-ventilated, and temperature-controlled areas.
    • Use airtight, corrosion-resistant containers to prevent moisture ingress.
    • Ensure storage locations are clearly labeled and isolated from other incompatible materials.
    • Document storage locations in the Water-Reactive Material Storage Log (Annexure-2).
  2. Environmental Monitoring:
    • Monitor humidity and temperature regularly using calibrated instruments.
    • Ensure relative humidity remains below 30% unless specified otherwise in the SDS.
    • Document environmental data in the Environmental Monitoring Log (Annexure-3).

5.3 Handling Procedures

  1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
    • Personnel must wear chemical-resistant gloves, face shields, lab coats, and safety goggles when handling water-reactive materials.
    • Use appropriate respirators if handling materials that emit hazardous fumes.
    • Document PPE usage in the PPE Compliance Log (Annexure-4).
  2. Safe Handling Practices:
    • Handle materials in dry areas with non-sparking tools.
    • Minimize exposure time and avoid transferring materials in humid conditions.
    • Document all handling procedures in the Material Handling Log (Annexure-5).

5.4 Spill and Emergency Procedures

  1. Spill Response:
    • Evacuate the area immediately in case of spills.
    • Use inert materials like dry sand or vermiculite to contain spills. Do NOT use water.
    • Place contained materials in a designated hazardous waste container.
    • Document all spill incidents in the Spill Incident Log (Annexure-6).
  2. Fire and Explosion Control:
    • In case of fire, use Class D fire extinguishers designed for metal fires.
    • Do not attempt to extinguish with water or water-based foam.
    • Ensure emergency contacts are notified immediately and record the incident in the Emergency Response Log (Annexure-7).

6. Abbreviations

  • SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
  • GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
  • QA: Quality Assurance
  • PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
  • SDS: Safety Data Sheet

7. Documents

  1. Water-Reactive Material Identification Log (Annexure-1)
  2. Water-Reactive Material Storage Log (Annexure-2)
  3. Environmental Monitoring Log (Annexure-3)
  4. PPE Compliance Log (Annexure-4)
  5. Material Handling Log (Annexure-5)
  6. Spill Incident Log (Annexure-6)
  7. Emergency Response Log (Annexure-7)

8. References

  • 21 CFR Part 211 – Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Finished Pharmaceuticals
  • OSHA Standard for Hazardous Materials Handling (29 CFR 1910.1200)
  • WHO Guidelines for the Safe Transport and Handling of Hazardous Chemicals

9. SOP Version

Version: 2.0

10. Approval Section

Prepared By Checked By Approved By
Signature
Date
Name
Designation
Department

11. Annexures

Annexure-1: Water-Reactive Material Identification Log

Date Material Name Batch Number Reactivity Level (Mild/Moderate/Severe) Identified By
14/03/2025 Sodium SOD-1234 Severe Ravi Kumar
14/03/2025 Calcium Carbide CCB-5678 Moderate Neha Verma

Annexure-2: Water-Reactive Material Storage Log

Date Material Name Batch Number Storage Location Storage Conditions Stored By
14/03/2025 Sodium SOD-1234 Dry Storage Room A1 Temperature: 20°C, Humidity: <30% Ravi Kumar
14/03/2025 Calcium Carbide CCB-5678 Moisture-Controlled Cabinet B2 Temperature: 25°C, Humidity: <25% Neha Verma

Annexure-3: Environmental Monitoring Log

Date Storage Area Temperature (°C) Humidity (%) Status Checked By
14/03/2025 Dry Storage Room A1 20°C 28% Within Limits Priya Singh
14/03/2025 Moisture-Controlled Cabinet B2 25°C 24% Within Limits Amit Joshi

Annexure-4: PPE Compliance Log

Date Employee Name Material Handled PPE Used Compliance Status Verified By
14/03/2025 Ravi Kumar Sodium Gloves, Face Shield, Lab Coat Compliant Neha Verma
14/03/2025 Amit Joshi Calcium Carbide Gloves, Goggles, Respirator Compliant Priya Singh

Annexure-5: Material Handling Log

Date Material Name Batch Number Handling Procedure Handled By Verified By
14/03/2025 Sodium SOD-1234 Transferred using non-sparking tools in dry conditions Ravi Kumar Neha Verma
14/03/2025 Calcium Carbide CCB-5678 Handled in moisture-free environment with full PPE Amit Joshi Priya Singh

Annexure-6: Spill Incident Log

Date Material Name Batch Number Spill Description Action Taken Reported By
14/03/2025 Sodium SOD-1234 Minor spill during transfer Contained using dry sand, disposed in hazardous waste bin Ravi Kumar
14/03/2025 Calcium Carbide CCB-5678 Accidental exposure to humid air Sealed immediately, moved to quarantine Amit Joshi

Annexure-7: Emergency Response Log

Date Incident Description Immediate Response Personnel Involved Final Resolution Verified By
14/03/2025 Fire due to accidental water exposure Evacuated area, used Class D extinguisher Neha Verma, Ravi Kumar Fire contained, material disposed as hazardous waste Priya Singh
14/03/2025 Sudden rise in humidity in storage area Activated dehumidifiers, transferred sensitive materials Amit Joshi Humidity levels stabilized, no material damage reported Neha Verma

Revision History:

Revision Date Revision No. Revision Details Reason for Revision Approved By
01/01/2024 1.0 Initial Version New SOP Implementation QA Head
14/03/2025 2.0 Updated storage and emergency response protocols Alignment with updated GMP and safety guidelines QA Head
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