Course Content
Laboratory Design and Layout
In this topic. we will; 1.Discuss the importance of laboratory design and layout. 2.Describe standards for a good science laboratory. 3.Describe the essential features of a prep room and a laboratory store. 4.Describe the basic laboratory services
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Laboratory Safety and Housekeeping
Objectives To highlight the importance of laboratory housekeeping practices and how its proper integration into laboratory management can: 1.Create order and good organization 2.Increase safety 3.Increase efficiency 4.In this chapter, we will discuss 5.The importance of laboratory housekeeping 6.Ways of enhancing good laboratory housekeeping practices
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Personal Protective Equipments
OBJECTIVES The objective of this topic is to highlight the importance of protective equipment’s and how its proper integration into laboratory management can to reduce: 1.Injury and deaths to laboratory users 2.Contamination of laboratory reagents and specimens  In this chapter, we will 1.Discuss the importance of laboratory protective equipment. 2.Describe the various types of laboratory protective equipment 3.Describe how to use laboratory protective equipment’s. 4.Describe how to care for laboratory protective equipment’s
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Laboratory Hazards
OBJECTIVES The objective of this chapter is to highlight the importance of laboratory hazards, how to identify and get rid (or minimize) of them from the laboratory. In this chapter, we will 1.Describe the various types of laboratory hazards and. 2.Describe causes of laboratory hazards 3.Describe the general ways to avoid laboratory hazards.
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First Aid
OBJECTIVES The objective of this chapter is to prepare you as a first aider, psychologically and emotionally, as well as by giving practical advice on what you should and should not do in a laboratory emergency. After studying the material in this chapter, you will be able to: 1.Define first aid 2.Recognize the reasons why first aid is given 3.Manage an emergency situation safely 4.Assess the sick or injured persons. 5.Identify general directions for giving first aid
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Laboratory Apparatus
This topic focuses on the importance of handling, care and cleaning of laboratory wares. In this chapter, we will 1.Classify the various laboratory wares. 2.Discuss use of various laboratory wares 3.Describe various cleaning methods for various laboratory stains 4.Describe the various laboratory cleaning agents
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Laboratory Cleaning
OBJECTIVES The objective of this topic is to learn the importance of ensuring general and overall cleanness of laboratory items and surfaces. In this chapter, we will: 1.Discuss the various types of dirt and stains. 2.Discuss the general methods of cleaning laboratory apparatus and surfaces. 3.Describe various types cleaning agents used for cleaning laboratory items. 4.Outline preparation of laboratory cleaning agents. 5.Discuss various methods used in sterilization and disinfections of laboratory items.
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Sterilization Techniques
Sterilization, also called biological cleaning is a bit more involving than chemical cleaning. This is because it involves total killing of microorganism’s present on the apparatus. There are two methods used in sterilization. 1.Physical methods 2.Chemical methods
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Laboratory Waste Management
OBJECTIVES This chapter presents methods for the management and ultimate disposal of laboratory waste that may present as hazards. The objectives of these chapter are b.To identify types of laboratory wastes c.To identify sources of laboratory wastes d.To describe methods of managing laboratory wastes
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Laboratory Chemicals and Reagents
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this chapter are to learn the importance of proper handling, preparation, storage and disposal of laboratory chemicals and reagents. In this chapter, we will 1.Discuss the various categories of laboratory reagents. 2.Discuss the general storage guidelines for laboratory chemicals. 3.Describe in details the various methods of handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory chemicals. 4.Discuss how to segregate non compatible laboratory chemicals. 5.Discuss the basic terms and concepts of preparing Solutions. 6.Describe how to prepare various laboratory reagents and solutions
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Laboratory Solution Preparation
OBJECTIVES The objectives of these topic are: 1.To define terms used in solution preparation 2.To prepare various concentrations of solutions 3.To prepare bench reagents
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Laboratory Equipments
OBJECTIVES The objective of this chapter are to give a better understanding of the technical requirements regarding installation, use and maintenance of various types of equipment which play an important role in performing laboratory tests. In this chapter, we will 1.Identify the various types of laboratory equipment’s 2.Discuss the use of the equipments. 3. Describe the components of the equipments. 4.Discuss the operational mechanisms of the equipments 5.Outline the general care and maintenance for the equipments
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Laboratory Animals
OBJECTIVES The objective of this chapter is to give a better understanding of the technical requirements regarding handling, care and maintained of various laboratory animals In this chapter, we will; 1. Identify the various types of laboratory animals. 2.Discuss the general care and handling of laboratory animals. 3. Describe the various methods of restraining and humane killing laboratory animals 4.Discuss care of specific disease free (SPF)and Gnotobiotic animals
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Cryogenic Technology
Cryogens are substances (liquids or fluids) usually at very extreme low temperatures (below –150 °C, –238 °F or 123 K). Cryogenic technology can be defined as the study of the production of low temperature fluids, measurements at low temperatures, and behavior of these materials at low temperature and how to produce them. It is also concerned with the application of low temperature processes and techniques
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Glass Blowing Technology
OBJECTIVES In this chapter, we will 1.Define the term glassblowing 2.Discuss importance of glassblowing in the laboratory 3.Describe composition and properties of glass used for glassblowing 4.Describe various tools used for glassblowing 5.Describe glass blowing techniques used in making simple glass apparatus 6.Discuss various conditions encountered in glass blowing 7.Discuss how to correct conditions encountered in glass blowing
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Vacuum Technology
OBJECTIVES In this chapter, we will 1.Define the term vacuum and degrees of vacuum 2.Discuss types of vacuum system 3.Describe how vacuum is created 4.Describe various types of vacuum pumps 5.Describe instruments for measuring vacuums 6.Discuss leaks and leaks detection in vacuum systems 7.Discuss materials used in vacuum system construction 8.Discuss vacuum cleaning techniques 9.Discuss applications of vacuums
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Photographic Technology
Photography simply means writing, drawing or printing with light. Light is therefore most fundamental in photography because without it then no photographs will be produced. Light is a form of energy, it’s a source of all colors and its composed of different wavelengths, those that are of importance in photography are those that fall within the visible region of the electromagnetic spectra because they can be perceived by the human eye. These are composed of different colors e.g. red, blue green yellow orange etc.
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Laboratory Inventory Management
OBJECTIVES The objective of this chapter is to give a better understanding of good inventory management practices . In this chapter, we will: 1.Describe the importance of good laboratory stock management practices 2.Define the various terms used in inventory management 3.Discuss ways to monitor, control and record laboratory stock
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Laboratory Inspection
The laboratory inspection is the safety audit of the conditions and operations that occur on a daily basis in a specific laboratory. Laboratory inspections are conducted at least annually to ensure safety and compliance with all applicable lab safety regulations and guidelines. These inspections are also intended to provide a formal opportunity for laboratory personnel to ask questions regarding any aspect of lab safety in order to improve overall compliance. Laboratory inspectors need to have a greater understanding of safe laboratory operations. The lab inspector needs a higher level of laboratory safety training to be able to recognize problem areas and be able to ask questions and eliminate the hazards.
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Laboratory Management
The objectives of this topic are to; 1.Describe what management is. 2.Explain the primary functions of management. 3.Describe the primary types of managers and the roles they play.
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Principles of Laboratory Management
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this topic are to; 1.Describe what management is. 2.Explain the primary functions of management. 3.Describe the primary types of managers and the roles they play.
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Schools and Theories of Management
The objectives of this topic are 1. To understand the way in which management thought has evolved in the West since 1900; 2. To appreciate how these 'theories' may be applied today; 3. To compare and contrast the various theories presented
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Management Functions
OBJECTIVES 1. To describe the process of management's five functions: planning, organizing, staffing. leading, and controlling.
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Delegation
Delegation is the process by which managers assign a portion of their total workload to others. It includes assigning formal authority and responsibility for completion of specific activities.
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Line and Staff Relationship
The line and staff relationship is a form of organizational structure that exists in many companies. It refers to the relationship between line departments (also known as line units) and staff departments (also known as staff units).
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Centralization and Decentralization
This refers to the extent to which decision-making power and authority is dispersed to lower levels. It also refers to the degree of delegation of duties, power and authority to lower levels of an organization.
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Span of Control
Span of control management refers to the number of subordinates who report directly to a given superior.
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Leadership
Leadership is an important aspect of management and the ability to lead is one of the keys to being an effective manager. Leadership is the art or process of influencing people so that they will strive willingly and enthusiastically toward achievement of group goals. Effective leaders must be able to influence the thoughts and behavior of others towards the accomplishment of some goals or goal.
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Motivation
One of the most important functions of management is to create willingness amongst the employees to perform in the best of their abilities. Therefore the role of a leader is to arouse interest in performance of employees in their jobs through motivating them to act in the desired direction.
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Effective Communication
Effective communication is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, knowledge and information such that the purpose or intention is fulfilled in the best possible manner.
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Management Styles
OBJECTIVES The objectives of these topic are 1.Define the various types of management styles. 2.To discuss pros and cons of management styles. 3. Explain how we can determine which style to use in a variety of situations.
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Labor Laws and Industrial Relationships
Labor laws refers to rules and regulations are put in place to govern the working relationship and protect the rights of employers and workers by clearly stipulating the obligations and responsibilities of each party to the employment. They are enforced by the Kenyan government agencies to ensure that there is harmony in the workplace
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Woodwork Workshop Practice
Woodwork, also known as woodworking, is the craft or skill of creating objects or structures from wood using various tools and techniques. Woodwork encompasses a wide range of activities, from simple woodworking projects to complex furniture making and carpentry. It combines both practical skills and creativity to transform raw wood into functional or decorative items.
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Metalwork Workshop Practice
Metalwork refers to the craft or skill of working with metal to create objects, structures, or components. It involves various processes, techniques, and tools to shape, manipulate, and join metal materials.
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Plastics
Plastics are a group of synthetic materials made from polymers, which are large molecules composed of repeating subunits called monomers. Plastics have a wide range of applications due to their versatility, durability, lightweight nature, and ability to be molded into various shapes.
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Laboratory Practice and Management
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LABORATORY FITMENTS

LABORATORY FITMENTS

Laboratory fitments include

  1. Benches
  2. Water taps
  3. Gas taps
  4. Sinks
  5. Electric gadgets
  6. Fume chambers
  7. Fire extinguishers
  8. Shelves

1. Laboratory benches

Laboratory benches provide surfaces upon which laboratory experiments and test are done. There are two main patterns of laboratory benches i.e.

  1. Permanent assembly benches
  2. Unit assembly benches

Permanent assembly benches

Permanent assembly benches are permanently fixed hence do not allow future modification or else they must be destroyed incase necessary changes are to be made.  They are   designed for specific purposes. These are benches on which laboratory services e.g. water, electricity and gas taps should not be placed on them.

Unit assembly benches

They are temporarily fixed, flexible and movable and therefore can allow   future modification.

Laboratory benches can also be classified into the following three categories based on the positioning in the lab.

  1. Wall benches

They run along the side walls of the laboratory. Heavy equipment’s, water, taps and gas taps are usually placed on these benches

  1. Island benches

They occupy the center space of the laboratory. In majority of labs, they do not have water, gas and electricity taps

  1.   Demonstration or lecture benches.

These benches are usually found at the front of the lab near the board and are used by the teacher when demonstrating an experiment to students

Benches should have enough working surface area and good working height. For student benches, it is recommended that they have a working surface area of ≥0.36m2 per pupil.  The height should be 900mm with good clearance for legs when the pupil is seated at the bench. A measurement of 240-270mm from the top of the stool to the underside of the worktop allows sufficient upper leg clearance for one to sit comfortably at the work surface.

All laboratory  services e.g. water, electricity, gas  should be on the  demonstration benches,  be within the reach of  persons sitting  next to the bench( i.e. within 600mm) and be of the same height as the pupil benches.  The perimeter benches should be on two walls and with adequate structures to support it.

The materials for constructing laboratory benches should be;

  1. Suitable for the intended purpose of the laboratory e.g. for  medical , biological or chemistry lab
  2. Cheap, durable  easily available  and easy to clean
  3. Poor conductor of electricity
  4. High mechanical strength and Free from vibrations
  5. Resistant to chemical  and water attack
  6. Free from shrinkage and distortion
  7. Don’t burn easily

Materials used for making laboratory benches

  1. Wood

Advantages

  1. Cheap and easily available
  2. Poor conductor of electricity
  3. High mechanical strength

Disadvantages

  1. Easily attacked by fungi, pest and bacteria
  2. Easily distorted if not well treated
  3. Easy to burn
  4. Easy to be cut

              Application:  Physics and chemistry Laboratories

  1. Metal e.g. stainless steel, aluminum.

Advantages

  1. High mechanical strength
  1. Water resistant
  2. Free from shrinkage and distortion
  3. Don’t burn easily

Disadvantages

  1. Conduct heat and electricity
  1. Expensive

Application: Food, medical, biology and radiology laboratories

  1. Concrete

Advantages

  1. Free from vibrations ,
  1. Have high mechanical strength
  2. Heat resistant

Disadvantages

  1. Easily attacked by acids
  2. Poor performance if not properly finished

Application:  used for balance rooms

  1. Plastics

Advantages

  1. Resistant to fungal and bacterial attack
  1. Chemical resistant
  2. Poor conductor of heat and electricity
  3. Easy to be cleaned

Disadvantages

  1. Wear out easily  and not heat resistant
  2. Easily damaged by laboratory equipment’s

Application: used for Chemistry, biology, physics and medical laboratories

3. Stools

Stools should also be designed to allow enough leg space and appropriate height for people to sit at the bench.

4.  Doors and windows

Doors and windows must be wide enough to provide for natural light and ventilation, be easily accessible and should have restricted openings, which can nevertheless be opened fully in the event of an emergency.

5. Laboratory Drainage System

Laboratory drainage system plays an important role in the supply of water and disposal of laboratory effluents. It consist of taps, sinks and traps. The layout of the drainage system is an important aspect that must be thoroughly considered during laboratory design.

The water supply tanks should be positioned high enough to provide pressure to operate science equipment

Taps: The position of taps and sinks is very important and should be done in accordance to the type of work to be done on a bench. Taps should be placed at the center of the bench or on the sides to allow for communal work. They should not be placed next to electric sockets

Water tap taps should be at least 300mm above benches, and with the sprout at least 225mm above the sink. Sinks should also be provided for washing and rinsing various laboratory wares.   One water tap and a sink is recommended per six pupils spaced around the lab, and each should be large enough for experimental equipment. Another sink and water tap should be included in the fume cupboard.

Sinks can be made of plastic, stainless steel, ceramics etc.There are two types of sinks.

  1. Rimless sinks
  2. Rimmed  sinks

Rimless sinks

These sinks do not have rims and are fitted tightly on the bench.  

Rimmed sinks,

They have rims that lie over the bench surface. There are two types of rimmed sinks i.e.  Externally rimmed sink and internally rimmed sink. The fittings of the sinks should be such that they should not allow leakage or flooding of the water.

 Rimless and internally rimmed sinks are recommended for use in laboratories because they are easier to wipe out dirt from the bench into the sink

The space between the back of the sink and the bench should always be made watertight to prevent seepage

Traps A trap is a device or fitting under the sink that traps water. Traps serves many functions, these include:

  1. They receive waste from the sink and disposes it into the main drainage system.
  2. They acts as a dilution tank for corrosive liquids before being discharged so as to protect the piping
  3. They also trap insoluble solids flowing down from the sink so as to prevent the piping from being blocked
  4. They prevents foul smell from getting back into the laboratory by cutting off the drain interior atmosphere from the exterior air by preventing foul gases in the drain from escaping

The effectiveness of a trap is dependent on the depth of the seal, since the deeper, it is, the more it will resist the pressure inside the drain

All traps must be able to meet the following requirements to be effective:

  1. Simple in design
  2. Accessible in all parts
  3. Made of hard, smooth, impermeable material
  4. Self-cleaning in action
  5. Be smoothly rounded with no sharp angles or corners
  6. Holding minimum amount of water but with effective seal
  7. Must not retard the flow of water
  8. The most common materials for laboratory water traps are plastic (PVC)

6. Laboratory Gas Supply System

Gas systems are used for distribution of fuel gas in science laboratories.

For efficient distribution of gas in the laboratory, two- way outlet gas taps with safety locks are recommended.

They should not be opened by accidental knocks.

Furthermore, all gas taps not to be used should be properly secured in order to avoid pupil’s accidental opening. However, the master gas switch should be positioned at a readily accessible location and the ON/OFF position be clearly indicated.

Gas tap should be fitted on the demonstration bench, fume chamber and perimeter benching. They should be of robust design, with definite on/off positions and anti-rotate fixing to bench, with non-return valves and restrictors in nozzles.Taps must be spaced around the lab with one tap per student is recommended.
The rubber tubing connecting the gas taps to the Bunsen burner should be of the type suitable for use with the gas being supplied. Both end tubing should be held in position by horse clips to prevent loosening
7. Electric switches

One electrical socket per pupil is recommended. As with gas taps, other sockets should be provided on demonstrations benches, and in the fume cupboard. Electrical sockets should be of robust design and must be away from water taps

.

9.  Pipes and cables

All pipes and cables should be installed in or behind bench walls, or floors. None should be hanging from a ceiling (except for bulbs and other ceiling-mounted data projectors). Pipes and cables should be color-coded according to contents and show the direction of flow.
NB: Gas, electricity and water should all have their master control points that are easily accessible by the lab technician or teacher but not the student

10. Fume chamber

Fume chamber is designed to prevent contamination by drawing out poisonous or dangerous fumes from the laboratory.

 They should be designed in such a way that will only allow fumes to be drawn out of the laboratory and not inside.

Fume chambers consist of transparent panels made of sliding glass that provides a working space for operation.

The services to be installed inside the fume chamber include

  1. An electric switch and pilot light
  2. A water tap
  3. Sink  
  4. Two- way gas tap
  5. Motor

Based on the type and position of these motors, fume chambers can be classified into two:

       (i)          Direct system

       (ii)         Indirect system

(i) Direct system

The motor is placed directly above the fan in line with the fumes from the lab.

The motor is small and cheap but wears out easily due to direct exposure to fumes hence needs constant replacement

(ii) Indirect system

The motor is placed separately from the fan and is not in line with the direction of movement of fumes from the laboratory.  The motor is big and do not wear out easily, it is however expensive

How to use a fume chamber

Before using a fume chamber, it is important to ensure it is in good working condition.

  1. Switch on the fun and adjust the vertical sliding glass to give a reasonable working space.
  2. Place your reagents and substances accordingly and ensure that the reaction shall take place as required
  3. Close tightly ensuring that no fumes escape out of the fume chamber.

NB/ All fuming chemicals must be opened inside a fume chamber.

  1. The shelves

Shelves should be ergonomic and ≤ 2m high, stable and secured to a wall. Stepladders should be provided: height equal to the top shelf, with grab rails and platform.

12. Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are equipment’s used for firefighting.

There are many types of fire extinguishers, these include.

  1. Water  fire extinguisher
  2. CO2 Fire extinguisher
  3. Dry powder fire extinguishers
  4. Vaporizing liquid.
  5. Foam
  6. Fire blanket

13. Emergency showers

Emergency showers are very important because they are used to extinguish fires when somebody is on fire or to wash away chemical from the body surface if spilled upon.

Emergency showers must be placed in an easily accessible position

They should be connected with a water storage tank

They must be regularly tested and properly maintained

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