Lesson 1Acid and base dilution safety: correct procedures for concentrating acid/base handling (do not add water to acid) and safe transfer techniquesThis section explains safe dilution of strong acids and bases, emphasizing adding acid to water, heat management, appropriate glassware, and safe transfer using pipettes, funnels, and mechanical aids to prevent splashes and exposure.
Thermal effects during acid and base dilutionOrder of addition: acid to water rationaleChoice of containers and cooling methodsUse of pipettes, funnels, and dispensersHandling concentrated stock solutions safelyLesson 2Glassware inspection and calibration: checking volumetric flasks, pipettes, burettes for damage and calibration schedulesThis section details inspection of volumetric flasks, pipettes, and burettes for chips, cracks, and contamination, and explains calibration schedules, tolerance classes, and documentation to maintain reliable quantitative measurements.
Visual inspection for chips and star cracksChecking cleanliness and wetting behaviorLeak testing burettes and stopcocksCalibration of volumetric flasks and pipettesEstablishing calibration intervals and logsLesson 3Ergonomics and chemical hygiene: ventilation, fume hood use for volatile or gaseous reactions (CO2 collection)This section introduces ergonomic principles for bench work and chemical hygiene practices. Topics include posture, repetitive motions, ventilation, fume hood use, and control of vapors and gases such as CO2 during reactions.
Bench height, posture, and reach zonesMinimizing repetitive pipetting strainPrinciples of general laboratory ventilationCorrect fume hood sash height and airflowManaging CO2 and other reaction gasesLesson 4Spill response and emergency procedures: neutralization, containment, and waste disposal for acid/base and carbonate reactionsLearners study procedures for responding to spills of acids, bases, and carbonates, including assessment, neutralization, containment, cleanup, and waste disposal, as well as communication and reporting requirements after incidents.
Initial assessment and area isolationUse of spill kits and absorbent materialsNeutralizing acids and bases safelyHandling carbonate effervescence and gasPackaging and labeling spill cleanup wasteLesson 5Personal protective equipment (PPE): selection, use, and limitations for aqueous and acid/base workStudents learn how to select, use, and maintain PPE for aqueous and acid–base work. The section covers gloves, goggles, lab coats, footwear, and limitations of PPE, emphasizing layering, compatibility, and proper disposal.
Eye and face protection for splashesGlove materials and chemical compatibilityLab coats, aprons, and protective clothingFootwear and protection from spillsInspection, replacement, and disposal of PPELesson 6Good laboratory practices (GLP): labeling, recordkeeping, batch notes, and waste segregationThis section explains GLP elements that support traceable, safe work: clear container labeling, structured notebooks, batch records, and practical waste segregation strategies that meet regulatory and institutional requirements.
Labeling of reagents and intermediate solutionsStructure of laboratory notebooks and entriesBatch records for reproducible experimental runsColour coding and segregation of chemical wastesRetention and archiving of laboratory recordsLesson 7Minimizing contamination: cleaning protocols, rinsing technique, and avoiding cross-contaminationStudents learn how contamination affects analytical results and reaction outcomes. The section covers cleaning agents, rinsing strategies, dedicated tools, and workflow design to minimize cross‑contamination between samples and reagents.
Detergent selection and cleaning sequencesTap, distilled, and deionized water rinsingAvoiding backflow and bottle mouth contactDedicated glassware for critical analysesPreventing carryover between titrationsLesson 8Safe handling and storage of common reagents: NaCl, HCl, NaOH, CaCO3 — hazard summaries and SDS useHere we review hazards of NaCl, HCl, NaOH, and CaCO3, including corrosivity, irritation, and environmental impact. Students learn to interpret SDS sections and apply safe storage, labelling, and handling practices for these reagents.
Physical and health hazards of NaCl solutionsCorrosive properties and risks of HClCaustic hazards and exotherms of NaOHDust and effervescence hazards of CaCO3Using SDS for storage and incompatibilitiesLabelling and segregating acid, base, and saltsLesson 9Ethical and regulatory considerations: accurate reporting, chemical inventory control, and laboratory training documentationThis section covers ethical duties in data reporting, regulatory expectations for chemical inventory control, and documentation of safety and training, emphasizing integrity, transparency, and audit‑ready laboratory management.
Principles of honesty in data recordingCorrecting errors and handling questionable dataChemical inventory logs and stock reconciliationRegulatory requirements for record retentionTraining records and competency tracking
