Guide to Writing Standard Operating Procedures

(SOPs)
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of step by step instructions for carrying out a specific
technique. They can be used for any technique, but this guide focuses on their use in documenting
monitoring techniques, specifically for species and ecological communities.
SOPs are used in Monitoring Protocols (MoPs) to stipulate ho the monitoring ill be underta!en, and
pro"ide quality assurance that the data collected ill be consistent and therefore comparable. They
should be clear and concise but ith enough detail so that users ith a basic understanding but limited
e#perience can reproduce the procedure.
$or more information, see also%
SOP & $requently As!ed 'uestions
SOP & (riting Tips
SOP & Template
SOP )o *.* Preparation, re"ie, appro"al and amendment of standard operating procedures)
The ad"antages of ha"ing a SOP is that they%
*. pro"ide personnel ith numbered step by step instructions on a specific procedure (or procedure
used to carry out a method) ith minimum "ariability+
,. ensure that the procedures are performed consistently and in compliance ith go"ernment
regulations+
-. protect the health and safety of personnel by enabling .obs to be carried out in the safest possible
ay. They ensure that all of the safety, health, en"ironmental and operational information is
a"ailable to perform specific procedures ith minimal impact+
/. facilitate training in procedures, for both ne personnel and for those that need re0training (ie.
after e#tended absence from a position. 1a"ing step by step instructions aids trainers to ensure
that nothing is missed+
2. ser"e as a historical record for use hen modifications are made to that procedure and hen the
SOP is re"ised
3. promote quality though consistent collection of the data, e"en if there are changes in the people
underta!ing the monitoring+ and
4. encourage impro"ements and or! e"aluation by ensuring that the procedures are completed,
and can be used in incident in"estigations to impro"e operations and safety practices
5t is not possible, nor practical to pro"ide all the appropriate headings that could be used in a template.
The folloing guide has been de"eloped for SOPs used to monitor species and ecological communities.
This template can be found at lin!.
This guide is designed to help personnel rite SOPs using the SOP for )est 6o#es for Monitoring
Arboreal Mammals as an e#ample. These e#ample appear in red te#t in the te#t bo#es.
1 SOP Title
This is a description of the SOP. The title should be concise, but descripti"e enough to indicate hat
technique the SOP pro"ides instructions for.
Nest boxes for monitoring arboreal mammals
2 SOP No
A SOP ill be allocated a SOP number after it has been re"ieed and appro"ed. The numbering system
in"ol"es placing SOPs in categories (e.g. $auna Obser"ation, $auna 7apture, 8emote Obser"ation etc.)
ith a sequential number applied in each category. The first digit in a SOP number therefore refers to the
category and the second digit refers to the specific SOP.
SOP No: 9.4 (Category 9 = Fauna Capture etc etc
3 Prepared by
5dentifies the personnel ho prepared the SOP. The first author listed ill be the author to hich
correspondence9enquiries ill be directed unless otherise indicated.
)ame, 8ole9Position, Organisation96ranch, Address
4 Prepared for
:ists the organi;ation or pro.ect for hich the SOP has been prepared.
<epartment of =n"ironment and 7onser"ation>s Animal =thics 7ommittee
!ersion
The "ersion number is allocated hen the SOP is appro"ed. ?ersion numbers increase incrementally by
hundredths (e.g. "ersion *.*, "ersion *.,, @etc) for minor changes. Ma.or re"isions should be designated
ith the ne#t hole number (e.g. "ersion ,.A, -.A, /.A @).
?ersion *.A (October, ,AAB)
" #e$ision %istory log
This table records the "ersion number, re"ision date, author and a brief summary of the changes that
ha"e been made to the SOP. The re"ision history log must be completed hene"er an alteration to the
"ersion number is made (including appro"al for the first time).
Revision History Log
Version # Revision Date Author Changes
& 'ppro$ed by
5dentity of the personnel appro"ing the SOP for distribution and use.

( 'c)no*ledge+ents
:ists any other personnel (e.g. re"ieers) or documents hich aided in the preparation of the SOP.
This standard operating procedure as ritten utilising information contained in the ,AA4 $auna
Management 7ourse Manual and the *CC4 (estern Shield Operational $auna Monitoring Protocols. The
authors ould li!e to ac!noledge the contributions of the folloing re"ieers in impro"ing the content of
this standard operating procedure% Peter Orell and Peter Mason. This document has been re"ieed by
the <epartment of =n"ironment and 7onser"ation Animal =thics 7ommittee.
, Table of contents
A table of contents is needed for quic! reference and to locate information. The template has been
designed to ma!e this easy to create and update, pro"ided that consistent formatting is used ithin the
template.
!able of Contents
1 SOP Title---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
2 SOP No------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
3 Prepared by------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2
4 Prepared for----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
<ate%
<r Peter Mason
Principal Doologist, <=7 Species and 7ommunities 6ranch
7hair, <=7 Animal =thics 7ommittee
!ersion------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
" #e$ision %istory log----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
& 'ppro$ed by---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
( 'c)no*ledge+ents----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
, Table of contents--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
1. Purpose------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4
11 Scope---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 /efinitions--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 'ppro$ed +et%ods------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "
14 Procedure outline-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "
"4." Nest box construction an# installation......................................................................3
"4.$ C%ec&ing nest boxes an# #ata collection.................................................................4
1 0e$el of 1+pact------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (
1" 2t%ical 3onsiderations------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (
*3.* 1andling time........................................................................................................... B
*3., Eoung in nest bo#..................................................................................................... B
*3.- Prescribed fuel reduction burning............................................................................. B
1& 3o+petencies and 'ppro$als------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ,
1( 4ealt% and Safety 3onsiderations-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1.
*B.* Animal bites, stings and scratches.........................................................................*A
*B., Doonoses................................................................................................................ *A
*B.- Fse of a ladder....................................................................................................... *A
1, 5urt%er reading---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.
2. #eferences----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.
1. Purpose
This is an introductory section to pro"ide bac!ground information on the procedure. 5t e#plains hy the
SOP has been ritten and hat the SOP is to be used for.
Some small mammals that use tree hollos and that are not readily caught in cage traps or =lliott traps
can be monitored by erecting nest bo#es. These species include brush0tailed phascogale (P%ascogale
tapoatafa), yello0footed antechinus ('ntec%inus fla(ipes) and estern pygmy possum (Cercartetus
concinnus).
T%is standard operating procedure (SOP) pro$ides ad$ice on t%e use of nest bo6es for +onitoring
arboreal +a++als-
11 Scope
This section identifies the agencies and .urisdictions to hich the SOP ill apply. 5t specifies hich
situations the SOP ill and ill not apply to, and identifies those personnel ho should be familiar ith its
content.
12 /efinitions
This section should contain a list of any terms contained in the SOP that may be unfamiliar to, or
misinterpreted by the reader. These must be in alphabetical order. 8eferences should be pro"ided
here"er possible.

'ni+al %andler7 A person listed on an application to the <=7 Animal =thics 7ommittee ho
ill be responsible for handling animals during the pro.ect.
'rboreal7 An arboreal animal is one hich spends large amounts of time inhabiting or
frequenting trees.
Nest bo67 A man0made structure designed to meet the needs of hollo0dependent species
for nesting and shelter. They can be made so that occupants can be obser"ed and
monitored.
This SOP applies to all fauna sur"ey and monitoring acti"ities in"ol"ing the use of nest bo#es
for arboreal mammals underta!en across the State by the <epartment of =n"ironment and
7onser"ation (<=7). 5t may also be used to guide fauna monitoring acti"ities underta!en by
)8M groups, consultants, researchers and any other indi"iduals or organisations. All <=7
personnel in"ol"ed in monitoring using nest bo#es should be familiar ith the content of this
document.
This SOP complements the 'ustralian co#e of practice for t%e care an# use of animals for
scientific purposes (The 7ode). The 7ode contains an introduction to the ethical use of
animals in ildlife studies and should be referred to for broader issues. A copy of the code
may be "ieed by "isiting the )ational 1ealth and Medical 8esearch 7ouncil ebsite
(http%99.nhmrc.go".au9). 5n (estern Australia any person using animals for scientific
purposes must be co"ered by a licence issued under the pro"isions of the Animal (elfare A7T
,AA,, hich is administered by the <epartment of :ocal Go"ernment and 8egional
<e"elopment.
13 'ppro$ed +et%ods
6riefly describe the methods that are appro"ed and co"ered by the SOP. This section can be deleted if
the SOP only co"ers one technique.
14 Procedure outline
5n this section each specific tas! required to perform the procedure should be identified, listed and
labeled. The easiest ay to rite this section is to perform the tas!, riting don each step as it is
performed, in the same ay that a recipe ould be ritten for ma!ing a ca!e.
The procedure outline should describe hen and ho all aspects of the procedure are done, including
troubleshooting tips. 5t can contain diagrams, photos, charts or tables. Fsers tend to ha"e difficulty ith
long SOPs, so if the procedure is more than *A steps long, brea! ma.or tas!s underta!en into
subheadings. Other SOPs may be referred to if required.
(hen riting the SOP, you should consider%
*. hat is needed before starting the tas!, the materials needed and ho they are used+
,. health and safety considerations, and specify them at the appropriate steps+
-. hether there may be to methods hich must be done at the same time. This needs to be
clearly stated so that there is no confusion+
/. pro"iding personnel ith alternati"e steps if there is a possibility that a step may not or! (ie.
under specific circumstances)+
2. the time that the tas! may or should ta!e, or ho long it should be performed for this should be
clearly stated+ and
3. using draings or graphics, as ell labeled draings are sometimes better than te#t & a picture
tells a thousand ordsH
14.1 Nest box construction and installation
(a) )est bo#es for arboreal mammals are constructed preferably of rough Iarrah or other Australian
nati"e hardoods for longe"ity but may also be constructed of softoods (but not softoods
treated ith to#ic preser"ing chemicals such as copper or arsenic). The e#ternal dimensions are
,,Amm # ,,Amm # ,,Amm (the bac! may be ,4Amm to pro"ide a sloping roof). The entrance
hole diameter should be -2mm. The lid should be hinged from the front ith enough o"erhang so
that hen the lid is opened the o"erhang bloc!s the entrance hole. (See $igure *).
)ote% <ifferent entrance hole diameters ha"e been trialled and the si;e influences hich species ill
utilise the nest bo#. <iameter si;e of -2mm as used by 8hind (*CCB) for her Ph< study of the
ecology of brush0tailed phascogales in the .arrah forest of southestern Australia.
(b) )est bo#es should be filled to thirds ith nesting material consisting of dry shredded Iarrah bar!
or similar.
(c) )est bo#es should be fastened to tree trun!s -02m abo"e ground le"el, positioned to pro"ide
shelter from the sun and rain. They need to be accessible by ladder and trees should be selected
ith this in mind. $asten the nest bo# side on to the tree for ease of opening and inspection
($igure *).
(d) )est bo# locations (eg transect "s grid and number of traps) ill be determined by the purpose of
the study.
Example:
Nest boxes spaced at 200-300m intervals along vehicle tracks have been monitored as part of Western Shield. t
least !0 nest boxes are "sed at each site. #ocation of nest box transects incl"de $"limar% &"ndaring% Serpentine%
'"ntle(% )*elling"p% +ingston and ,er"p-.endic"p. /hese transects monitor presence-absence and provide an index
of occ"pation-activit(.
(e) )est bo#es must be numbered.
(f) Optional% A small strip of hair tube afer or double sided tape may be attached to the entrance of
the nest bo# for collection of guard hairs that may be used to identify species using the nest bo#.

30mm
Side vie* of nest box
#id open
1ront
/ree tr"nk
Nail onto
tree tr"nk
Nesting
material
220mm
220mm
220mm
1ig"re !. Nest box secification
and design
1ront of nest box
Entrance hole
&o"nting board
220mm

1ig"re !. Nest box specifications and design
14.2 Checking nest boxes and data collection
(a) )est bo#es can be left for long periods of time ithout chec!ing, hoe"er, they should be
monitored tice a year in Ianuary9$ebruary and in Iune.
(b) Spare nest bo#es should be !ept on hand to replace any damaged ones.
(c) The nest bo# entrance must be bloc!ed during the inspection and for a short time after inspection
to reduce the chance of escape and possible predation if nocturnal animals are disturbed during
the day.
(d) Animals that are in the bo# at the time of chec!ing ill be captured by hand (see SOP A=7-.*,
for further ad"ice on hand capture), remo"ed from the bo#, identification confirmed and other
obser"ations and measurements ta!en. The animals are to be returned to the nest bo#.
(e) Minimum data requirements are% date+ location+ nest bo# no.+ signs of animal presence (scats, fur,
etc, collect for identification) and probable species, or, if present, species of animal, number and
se# of indi"iduals if possible.
3f4 <ata should be recorded on the (estern Shield )est 6o# <ata Sheet and data entered into
$auna $ile.
1 0e$el of 1+pact
The ne#t to sections are for pro.ects in"ol"ing fauna only. The le"el of impact ill determine the le"el of
scrutiny the pro.ects using the procedure ill recei"e from the Animal =thics 7ommittee. Eou need to as!
yourself if the procedure ill ha"e a potentially high, medium or lo impact on animals and hether the
procedure can be managed to reduce the le"el of impact.
1" 2t%ical 3onsiderations
This section co"ers the issues that the Animal =thics 7ommittee ill be re"ieing, to ensure that the
pro.ect proponents ha"e adequately assessed them and put in place management strategies to minimise
the impact on the animal.
To reduce the le"el of impact of nest bo#es on the elfare of animals there are a number of ethical
considerations that should be addressed throughout pro.ects in"ol"ing these procedures. <=7 pro.ects
in"ol"ing nest bo#es for monitoring ill require appro"al from the <=7 Animal =thics 7ommittee here
appropriate the folloing ethical considerations must be adequately co"ered in any Application for
Appro"al to Fnderta!e 8esearch 5n"ol"ing ?ertebrate Animals.
1"-1 4andling ti+e
To ensure minimal stress to the animals they should only be handled for as long as required to identify
them and to collect any necessary measurements (usually no more than fi"e minutes). 5f animals are in
poor condition hen handling it may be ad"isable to offer sugar ater prior to release.
1"-2 8oung in nest bo6
5f young are encountered in the nest bo# disturbance should be !ept to a minimum.
1"-3 Prescribed fuel reduction burning
Animals in nest bo#es may be at ris! from fire, particularly hot autumn fires. 5f a prescribed burn is
scheduled for areas ith nest bo# sites, all nest bo#es must be chec!ed 3 months before burning. Animal
occupants should be remo"ed and the entrance holes bloc!ed. 5f nest bo#es are occupied by female
indi"iduals ith dependent young, these should be left and re0chec!ed in one to to
months time. 1ollo users generally ha"e a selection of other hollos hich they use and ill not be
ad"ersely affected by being barred from the nest bo#es.
8a!e aay all dry fuel ithin , m of the supporting tree trun! prior to the burn commencing.
)est bo#es should be reopened after the burning is complete.
Potential animal elfare impacts of nest bo#es include%
Trauma (e.g. accidental in.uries inflicted during hand capture)
1ypothermia (e.g. due to poor positioning of nest bo#)
1yperthermia (e.g. due to poor positioning of nest bo#)
<ehydration (e.g. due to poor positioning of nest bo#)
<istress (e.g. caused by hand capture)
Predation (e.g. due to increased "ulnerability of nocturnal animals being released during the day)
Positioning of the nest bo# can greatly affect their usability and impact the comfort of occupants.
The negati"e impacts of nest bo#es on the elfare of animals are lo and are potentially an o"erall
positi"e impact in areas here natural hollos are scarce due to clearing or logging.
1& 3o+petencies and 'ppro$als
5n this section, details of all permits, licenses and e#perience hich personnel must ha"e prior to the
procedure being carried out should be pro"ided. This ensures personnel are trained and e#perienced in
the procedure and identifies here training is required.
<=7 personnel, and other e#ternal parties co"ered by the <=7 Animal =thics 7ommittee, underta!ing
nest bo# monitoring pro.ects require appro"al from committee and ill need to satisfy the competency
requirements detailed in Table *. This is to ensure that personnel in"ol"ed ha"e the necessary !noledge
and e#perience to minimise the potential impacts of nest bo#es on the elfare of the animals. Other
groups, organisations or indi"iduals using this SOP to guide their fauna monitoring acti"ities are
encouraged to also meet these competency requirements as ell as their basic animal elfare legislati"e
obligations.
5t should be noted that the details, such as intensity of the study being underta!en ill determine the le"el
of competency required and Table * pro"ides ad"ice for basic monitoring only.
Table *% 7ompetency requirements for Animal 1andlers of pro.ects using nest bo#es to monitor arboreal
mammals.
1(
4ea
lt% and Safety 3onsiderations
This section outlines all the ha;ards and ris!s (e.g. chemical, physical, biological, radiation) specific to the
procedure along ith treatments and solutions on ho to a"oid or minimise these ris!s (e.g. personal
protecti"e equipment etc). 8efer to any MS<S sheets hich are a"ailable for any chemicals used.
Alays carry a first aid !it in your "ehicle and be aare of your on safety and the safety of others as ell
as the animals hen handling.
A .ob safety analysis is recommended prior to underta!ing monitoring using nest bo#es at your site. This
safety analysis should include the folloing considerations.
1(-1 'ni+al bites9 stings and scratc%es
5t is important to remember that occupants of the nest bo# may not elcome being disturbed and may
inflict bites, stings or scratches. 6ees, spiders and other in"ertebrates may be disturbed by chec!ing nest
bo#es and can inflict irritating stings or bites. Arboreal mammals can also inflict minor in.uries during hand
capture. All in.uries should be appropriately treated as soon as possible to ameliorate possible allergic
reaction, pre"ent infection and promote healing.
5f <=7 personnel or "olunteers are in.ured an J5ncident and )ear 1it )otificationK form must be completed
and forarded to <=7>s 8is! Management Section.
3o+petency 3ategory 3o+petency #e:uire+ent 3o+petency 'ssess+ent
(ildlife licences
*.* :icence to ta!e fauna for
scientific purposes (8eg *4)
O8
Pro"ide S7 licence number
*., :icence to ta!e fauna for
educational or public
purposes (8eg *2)
Pro"ide T$ licence number
$ormal qualifications
and course certificates
()ote% Suitable le"els of
s!ills9e#perience can
substitute for formal
training requirements)
-.2 TA$= qualifications in
fauna management and
handling
O8
Pro"ide course year, TA$= facility
-.4 7A:M Mammal
7onser"ation 7ourse (*CC,0
*CC2)
O8
Pro"ide course year
-.B 7A:M9<=7 $auna
Management 7ourse (*CC40)
Pro"ide course year
General
s!ills9e#perience
2.* 8ele"ant !noledge of
species biology and ecology
Personnel should be able to correctly
identify the li!ely species to be
encountered hen chec!ing nest
bo#es. $amiliarity ith biology and
ecology of target species ill assist in
pro.ect design and positioning nest
bo#es. This !noledge may be
gained by sufficient field e#perience
and9or consultation of literature.
=stimated total time in field% Minimum
* year in"ol"ed in similar pro.ects.
Animal handling and
processing
s!ills9e#perience
4.* =#perience in handling
terrestrial mammal fauna
Personnel should be confident at
hand capture and handling of species
li!ely to be encountered hen
chec!ing nest bo#es. This e#perience
is best obtained under super"ision of
more e#perienced personnel.
=stimated total time in field% Minimum
,02 years in"ol"ed in similar pro.ects.
1(-2 ;oonoses
There are a number of diseases carried by animals that can be transmitted to humans (ie ;oonoses such
as To#oplasmosis, :eptospirosis, Salmonella etc). All personnel must ta!e precautions to minimise the
ris! of disease transmission to protect themsel"es, their families and ildlife populations.
Ad"ice on minimising disease ris! is contained in 7hapman et al.) (,AAB).
1(-3 <se of a ladder
Ta!e care hen positioning the ladder to chec! nest bo#es to ensure that it is stable and in a suitable
position for easy access to the nest bo#. A"oid use in et eather hen the ladder may be slippery.
1, 5urt%er reading
:ist any other SOPs referenced in the document or related to the procedure. Other recommended reading
may also be suggested in this section.
The folloing SOPs ha"e been mentioned in the ad"ice regarding use of nest bo#es. 5t is recommended
that the folloing SOPs are also considered hen proposing to underta!e monitoring using nest bo#es.
SOP C.3 1and capture of ildlife (5n preparation as at $ebruary ,AAC)
Additional information on the use of nest bo#es for monitoring fauna may be found in 6eyer and
Goldingay (,AA3) ho re"ieed published literature and assessed the research and management "alue
of using nest bo#es for arboreal marsupials.
2. #eferences
Any material ta!en from other peoples or! must be ac!noledged in this section as ell as cited ithin
the SOP using the standard referencing format.
6eyer, G.:., and Goldingay, 8.:. (,AA3). The "alue of nest bo#es in the research and management of
Australian hollo0using arboreal marsupials. (ildlife 8esearch 33, *3*&*4/.
7hapman, T., Sims, 7. and Mason, P. (,AAB). Minimising <isease 8is! in (ildlife Management.
Standard Operating procedures for fauna translocation, monitoring and euthanasia in the field. ,
nd
edition.
<epartment of =n"ironment and 7onser"ation, Perth. A"ailable electronically at%
http%99calmeb.calm.a.go".au9bigpic9aec9P<$9diseaseLris!Lmanagement.pdf. :ast accessed -9C9,AAB.