SOPs

Checklist for Precautions during working on Analytical Weight Balance (Before weighing)

ABHA

Checklist for Precautions during working on Analytical Weight Balance (Before weighing)

Checklist for Do’s

  • Check calibration of balance before  weighing
  • Always ensure that the spirit level of the analytical balance is proper.
  • Check silica gel for activation (dark blue) if not then dry it in the Oven till the color changes to dark blue.
  • Use a cleaned balance for weighing if not then clean it with a brush.
  • Check direct current to balance, and put off the AC if necessary to avoid fluctuation in the recording of weight during weighing.
  • The balance should be  placed on the vibration-free table
  • Weigh material that has attended the laboratory temperature.
  • Before weighing Check the maximum capacity of weighing.
  • During weighing check the position of the balance pan & should be in contact with the balance spring.
  • Always Weigh in the center of the pan
  • During the recording of weights, close all the doors properly & record weight only after stabilization.
  • If the fluctuation is observed in the recording of weight, even after switching off the AC, call the service engineer
  • Weigh corrosive material, liquid material, or semi-solid material in glassware taking into care maximum capacity.
  • Transfer weighing material in labeled Glassware/apparatus to avoid analysis errors.
  • During analysis always use personal protective equipment e.g. gloves, nose mask, etc.
  • In case of liquid weighing, transfer some material to another container and use that for weighing.
  • Use a clean spatula for weighing
  • After weighing discard the excess material which is taken from the original container.
  • If weighed wrong, discard it
  • Always weigh within 10% of theoretical weight e.g. 50mg (Weigh between 45 to 55mg). Also should keep a minimum of 5 % weighing the difference between the two standards & sample preparation. If standard A weighed 50.00 mg then standard B should weigh around 52.5 mg & same for sample preparation for more accuracy.
  • Put off light for weighing of light-sensitive materials
  • Mix the content properly in case of tablet powder, capsule blend, and weigh powder equivalent to ____gm of active
  • Before using/weighing liquids, suspension, etc. For analysis, It should be shaken well.

Checklist for  Don’ts

  • Don’t use the balance for weighing without calibration
  • Do not use the balance if the spirit level is improper/not adjusted.
  • Don’t use deactivated silica gel in balance (Pink to white)
  • Don’t use the unclean balance for weighing.
  • Don’t on AC during weighing if the fluctuation is observed due to direct flow.
  • Don’t keep balance on a table that is not vibration free.
  • Don’t weigh cold materials, directly removed them from the fridge,  also don’t weigh hot materials like  LOD bottles, crucibles, etc.
  • Don’t exceed the maximum capacity of the balance
  • Don’t drop an object on the balance pan, it will affect the balance spring.
  • Don’t weigh it by keeping it on the outer side of the pan.
  • Don’t open the door during stabilization.
  • Don’t keep material for too long on the balance pan as a sample may lose or gain weight.
  • Don’t use balance if the fluctuation is observed during weighing.
  • Don’t use butter paper for weighing corrosive & semisolid material.
  • Don’t use unlabelled Glassware for analysis
  • Don’t perform analysis without using personal protective equipment
  • Don’t  contaminate the original liquid container by dipping the pipette
  • Don’t use an unclean spatula for weighing
  • Don’t put excess material back into the original container or do not contaminate the original container
  • Don’t continue analysis with wrong weighing
  • Don’t weigh above 10 % of the theoretical weight.
  • Don’t weigh the exact standard weight for duplicate standard/sample preparation.
  • For e.g. if the standard weight to be weighed is 50 mg then don’t weigh both standard 50.00 mg and 50.05 mg keep a 5% difference between both weighs.
  • Don’t put on light during the weighing of Light sensitive materials
  • Don’t use tablets, or capsules as such if mentioned in the specification to be crushed& weighed the powder.
  • Don’t use liquid & suspension as such for weighing/ analysis without shaking.

 

ABHA

Abha is the Author  of pharmaceutical guidance, she is a pharmaceutical professional having more than 22 years of rich experience in pharmaceutical field. During her career, she works in the quality assurance department with multinational companies i.e Zydus Cadila Ltd, Unichem Laboratories Ltd, Indoco remedies Ltd. During his experience, she faces many regulatorily audits i.e. USFDA, MHRA, ANVISA, MCC, TGA, EU –GMP, WHO –Geneva, ISO 9001-2008 and many ROW Regularities Audit i.e.Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe. She is currently leading a regulatory pharmaceutical company as a Head Quality. You can join him by Email, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and YouTube