This manual is intended for use in presenting a course which provides the content-specific general chemistry education required for the safety awareness and job enhancement of persons employed as waste handlers. The course, which was designed to be delivered to technicians at job sites in a lecture/demonstration format with several hands-on exercises and video and laser disc presentations, is divided into sections on general chemistry and specific applications. Among the topics covered in the general chemistry section are atomic structure, chemical periodicity, and chemical nomenclature and formulas. Carcinogens, poisons, oxidizing/reducing agents, and compatibility determination are among the topics discussed in the section on specific applications. Included in the manual are instructional text and examples, worksheets, and quizzes. (MN)