Side by side
| Document | What it covers | Who reads it | Typical detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOP | How a process runs from start to finish, including roles and records | Supervisors, quality staff, auditors | An overview that links to the work instructions |
| Work instruction | Exact steps for one task, machine or tool | Operators and technicians | Numbered steps, settings and photos |
| Safe work procedure | How to do a hazardous task safely | Workers, supervisors, WorkSafeBC and COR auditors | Steps plus hazards, controls, PPE, tools and stop conditions |
Which one do you need?
- If the task has a hazard, you need a safe work procedure. Start with the tasks your hazard assessment rates as moderate or high risk.
- If the task is a machine setting or a detailed sequence, a work instruction gives operators the exact steps.
- If the question is how the whole process runs, an SOP sets out the stages, roles and records.
Most operations end up with all three. A line changeover SOP links to a work instruction for setting the tension and to a safe work procedure for locking out the machine before the changeover.
Keep one source of truth
Link documents instead of copying text between them. When a step changes, update it once, and let the linked documents point to the current version. Approve and version every document, and record who reviewed it and when. Copies in binders and on shared drives are where outdated steps tend to hide.
A practical starting point
Begin with safe work procedures for the moderate and high-risk tasks in your hazard assessment. Then add work instructions for the steps operators ask about most. Write the SOP last, once you can see how the tasks fit together. Video is a quick way to capture the real sequence for each task, then the team reviews the draft before it is approved.
Turn one task into all three documents
Film the task once, review the draft and approve it, then share the approved version with your team. Free to start.
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