What is a Standard Operating Procedure?

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are step by step instructions for carrying out specific monitoring and survey techniques. For example, SOPs may describe how equipment will be used, or how measurements will be taken.

SOPs are valuable tools that are used to ensure that surveys and monitoring are undertaken consistently, and to a high standard. They are used in Monitoring Protocols to stipulate how the monitoring will be undertaken. They provide quality assurance that the data collected will be consistent and therefore comparable.

Why have Standard Operating Procedures?

The advantages of SOPs are that they:

  1. provide personnel with numbered step by step instructions on a specific procedure (or procedure used to carry out a method) with minimum variability;
  2. ensure that the procedures are performed consistently and in compliance with government regulations;
  3. protect the health and safety of personnel by enabling jobs to be carried out in the safest possible way, and ensure that all of the safety, health, environmental and operational information is available to perform specific procedures with minimal impact;
  4. facilitate training in procedures, for both new personnel and for those that need re-training (e.g. after extended absence from a position);
  5. serve as a historical record for use when modifications are made to that procedure and when the SOP is revised;
  6. 6. promote quality though consistent collection of the data, even if there are changes in the people undertaking the survey or monitoring; and
  7. encourage improvements and work evaluation by ensuring that the procedures are completed, and can be used in incident investigations to improve operations and safety practices.

Fauna monitoring

For more information regarding safety and what you need to be aware of please visit http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/safety.