INTRODUCTION
As a senior NCO assigned to a petroleum laboratory you are responsible for the development and
implementation of standard procedures required by your personnel to accomplish the various functions
associated with the testing of petroleum products. You also must ensure that all personnel are aware of and
incorporate environmental, fire, safety, and preventive maintenance practices into their everyday duties. This
lesson will the present "standard" SOP format, and outline the types of information you will need to include when
developing the various SOPs required for effective and efficient petroleum laboratory operation.
PART A - LABORATORY STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURES
SOPs are used for all facets of work-related duties in military and civilian sectors. The Army uses a standard
format that can be tailored to reflect the duties and responsibilities of each function required to be performed.
The following format is taken from FM 10-426 (Petroleum Supply Units), Appendix B:
Unit location - Using unit location.
References - Applicable references used to develop SOP.
Required content - SOP content.
Purpose - Tell the reason you are establishing the SOP for your laboratory.
Scope - Specify procedures and requirements to be covered by the SOP.
Responsibility - Responsible personnel for each set of procedures
Procedures - State which operating procedures are to be used.
Miscellaneous - Any additional pertinent information to be included.
Definition Section - Definitions of terms
Signs and symbols - Explanation of symbols and/or signs used.
Special instructions.
Keep in mind that every function in every unit is not the same, and in order for any SOP to be as effective as
possible, all unit peculiar differences, depending upon your unit's mission requirements, must be reflected and
addressed in any SOP. The following material is provided to give you an indication of what types of material will
go into each SOP required for petroleum laboratory functions.
PART B IMPLEMENT A PETROLEUM ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP SOP
Communication of Good Environmental Ethics to Subordinates. Each mission has in some
way an impact on the surrounding environment. The environmental impact considerations for each mission
should be weighed and considered when possible in every situation. When training subordinates to identify the
environmental impact of a mission, the following elements should always be present in training standards:
Identify hazards to the environment during mission analysis. Environmental hazards are conditions that
have the potential to pollute the air, soil, water, and/or degrade natural/cultural resources.
Assess the probability of environmental damage/violations using risk-assessment matrices.
Make decisions and develop measures to reduce high risks.
Implement environmental measures by integrating them into plans, orders, SOPs, training performance
standards, and rehearsals.
Supervise, enforce environmental standards, and train to the standard.
The most important technique for training subordinates to identify environmental risks and possible impact is to
make them think like they are in their house and it is their health, land, and water at stake.
Importance of Protecting the Environment and Consequences of Non-Compliance with
Environmental Laws and Regulations. Consequences of environmental degradation include the
following:
The loss of historical sites, vegetation, water resources, and wildlife.
Diminished quality of available realistic training areas.
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QM 5183
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