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
- 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).
- 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.
- Classify materials based on their reactivity:
5.2 Storage Requirements
- 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).
- 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
- 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).
- 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
- 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).
- 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
- Water-Reactive Material Identification Log (Annexure-1)
- Water-Reactive Material Storage Log (Annexure-2)
- Environmental Monitoring Log (Annexure-3)
- PPE Compliance Log (Annexure-4)
- Material Handling Log (Annexure-5)
- Spill Incident Log (Annexure-6)
- 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 |