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Short answer: the basics of laboratory work are two things people often search for as one. The first is technique: the hands-on skills of a particular kind of lab, such as microscopy, pipetting or weighing. The second is the system that sits around every technique: written procedures, hazard training, periodic review and records. The slide decks, PDFs and notes that rank for this phrase mostly teach the first. This guide adds the second, using two primary documents: the WHO Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory and the US OSHA Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450).
General information for researchers, lab managers and technicians. It is not medical advice and does not replace your institution’s own safety plan.
What “basics of laboratory” covers
There is no single international “basics of laboratory” document. The phrase is used for several different things, and the right source depends on the lab:
- Technique manuals for a specific lab type, for example the WHO manual for health laboratories.
- Safety and compliance rules that apply to a workplace regardless of technique, for example OSHA’s Laboratory Standard for employers in the United States that use hazardous chemicals in laboratories.
- Teaching decks and notes (slideshare, scribd, course PDFs) that summarise one or both for students. They are secondary material; the primary text is the manual or regulation they are based on.
How basic lab work is organised in practice
Technique: what the WHO manual covers
The WHO Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory (2nd edition, published 9 May 2003, ISBN 9241545305, 384 pages) is written mainly for medical laboratories in developing countries, particularly small and medium peripheral laboratories and rural health centres where a technician may work alone. It concentrates on procedures that need only a microscope or simple apparatus, for example stool examination for helminth eggs, blood examination for malaria parasites, sputum examination for tubercle bacilli, urine examination for bile pigments, differential white blood cell counts and blood glucose. The manual itself acknowledges that some laboratories will not perform every procedure it describes.
System: what the OSHA Laboratory Standard requires
29 CFR 1910.1450 applies, in the words of paragraph (a)(1), “to all employers engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals”. For those employers it sets out several organisational basics:
- A written Chemical Hygiene Plan that is carried out ((e)(1)), and that includes “standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations” ((e)(3)(i)). See the CASRAI entries on the laboratory chemical hygiene plan and the standard operating procedure (SOP).
- Review of the plan at least annually ((e)(4)).
- Information and training on hazards, provided at initial assignment and before new exposure situations, with refresher frequency set by the employer ((f)(1), (f)(2)), including training on the written plan ((f)(4)(ii)).
- Records: an accurate record of exposure measurements and medical consultations ((j)(1)), kept as 29 CFR 1910.20 requires ((j)(2)).
This is a United States rule for employers. It is not a universal requirement, and other countries and sectors have their own regimes.
A hazard-thinking frame: RAMP
The American Chemical Society’s Committee on Chemical Safety promotes RAMP, a four-step framework for laboratory risk management: Recognize hazards, Assess risks, Minimize risks and Prepare for emergencies. The acronym comes from Hill and Finster’s textbook Laboratory Safety for Chemistry Students. It is a way of organising judgement rather than a regulation.
Which “basics” source answers which question
| Question | Source that answers it | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| How do I run basic microscopy-level tests in a health laboratory? | WHO, Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory, 2nd ed. (2003) | Health laboratories, especially small peripheral ones |
| What written plan, training and records must a chemical laboratory have? | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450 | US employers using hazardous chemicals in laboratories |
| How do I think through a hazard before starting work? | ACS Committee on Chemical Safety, RAMP | A framework for chemical labs, not a legal requirement |
Neither of the two primary documents is a complete curriculum. Weighing, glassware, solution preparation and instrument use are taught in institutional course materials and manufacturer guidance, which vary by lab type.
Where it matters for labs and supply decisions
For a lab that falls under 29 CFR 1910.1450, the written plan, SOPs, training and records are obligations that exist whatever equipment is on the bench, so they belong in any onboarding checklist for a new lab or a new staff member. A WHO-style health laboratory, by contrast, is defined by the procedures it can perform with simple apparatus, so the manual’s scope helps a lab decide which of its procedures it actually performs. Related reading: specimen integrity criteria, lean laboratory methods and the BMBL biosafety guidance for biological work.
Common misunderstandings
- “Basics” means one standard syllabus. It does not; the WHO manual is for health laboratories and OSHA’s standard is for chemical use by US employers.
- A slide deck or PDF of notes is the authority. These are teaching summaries. Check the original manual or regulation text.
- Training happens once. The OSHA standard calls for training at initial assignment and before new exposure situations, with refreshers at a frequency the employer sets.
- Safety rules are the same everywhere. OSHA 1910.1450 is a US federal rule and should not be assumed to apply elsewhere.
FAQ
What is a basic laboratory test?
That phrase usually refers to routine clinical tests ordered for a patient, which is a medical question for a clinician. This page is about laboratory skills and practice. For health-laboratory methods, the WHO manual lists examples such as malaria blood films, sputum examination, differential white cell counts and blood glucose.
Is there a free book or PDF of basic laboratory techniques?
The WHO manual is a WHO publication, listed on the WHO publications page (who.int/publications/i/item/9241545305). Check that page for the formats it currently offers.
Where can I find basics of laboratory notes or slides?
University library guides and course decks summarise techniques for students. Treat them as secondary and confirm anything safety-critical against the primary document or your institution’s plan.
What written documents does a chemical laboratory need?
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450, covered US employers need a written Chemical Hygiene Plan that includes SOPs relevant to safety and health, reviewed at least annually, plus hazard training and exposure and medical consultation records.
Sources
- World Health Organization, Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory, 2nd ed., 2003: who.int/publications/i/item/9241545305 (read 2026-11-08).
- US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910.1450, Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories: osha.gov (read 2026-11-08).
- American Chemical Society, Safety and sustainability (RAMP): acs.org (checked 2026-11-08).
