Clearing Up Questions About Spill Kits

By Gracie Hogue, BM

Two support questions we receive quite often are: what is the difference between an Infectious Spill Kit and Chemical Spill Kit, and what products do we need to maintain those kits?

The difference between an Infectious Spill Kit and a Chemical Spill Kit is basically what they’re used for. 

An Infectious Spill Kit is to help you clean up anything that is potentially infectious, such as blood, saliva, or any other bodily fluids. 

A Chemical Spill Kit is to help you clean up anything that is chemically-based such as disinfectants, liquid solutions, pastes, or any type of product that requires Safety Data Sheets. 

As to creating the kits for your practice and knowing what to purchase to put them together, here is a list of what you need to build each:

Infectious Spill Kit:  

• Roll of paper towel
• Spray bottle for bleach solution
• Biohazard bags x 3 
• Disposable broom and dustpan
• Tongs/forceps 
• Absorbent powder 
• Antimicrobial towels 
• 6 pairs of gloves 
• Splash googles 

Chemical Spill Kit:  

• (TIP: Before beginning chemical cleanup, check the SDS for the spilled product as to what PPE to wear and how to properly clean the product/chemical as some chemicals can eat through regular surgical gloves, etc.)
• Container marked “CHEMICAL SPILL KIT” 
• “HG absorb” powder 
• Absorbent material
• Baking soda
• Utility gloves
• Eyewear protection/splash goggles
• Trash bags
• Dustpan
• Whisk broom

And as a bonus, here is a list of things that need to be included in your First Aid Kit according to ANSI Z208.1-2003 “Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits”:

• At least one absorbent compress: 32 sq. in. (81.3 sq. cm.) with no side smaller than 4 in. (10 cm) 
• At least 16 adhesive bandages: 1 in. x 3 in. (2.5 cm x 7.5 cm)
• One roll of adhesive tape, 5 yd. (457.2 cm) total 
• At least ten packets of antiseptic: 0.5g (0.14 fl oz.) applications 
• At least six applications of burn treatments: 0.5 g (0.14 fl. oz.) 
• Two or more pairs of medical exam gloves (latex or non-latex)
• At least four sterile pads: 3 in. x 3 in. (7.5 x 7.5 cm)
• One triangular bandage: 40 in. x 40 in. x 56 in. (101 cm x 101 cm x 142 cm)  

These items are intended to be the minimum for a workplace first aid kit. Depending on the potential for injury, a more complete kit may be necessary. OSHA recommendations do not include an automated external defibrillator (AED), but current emergency cardiac care guidelines from the American Heart Association.

If you have your kits taken care of, that’s one less thing to worry about! Contact us at (931) 232-7738 if you have any questions or concerns.