Many times you will have to make a professional judgment as to the severity of the spill. Chemical spill cleanup kits are very handy to have in the lab and other service areas which use chemicals. The kits are useful if you and your fellow workers know how to use them properly. Chemical absorbent or neutralizing powder pads can be used to quickly contain a spill. Use these items if your personal safety is not jeopardized.
Some kits provide a separate organic vapor mask or acid mask.
Know what type of respirator you have - read the labels. Respirators are certified for only certain types of spills. Once again, read the labels as the color of the respirator may not necessarily correspond to these types of chemicals in the future. The protective equipment in the spill kit will not protect you from a flash fire. Many times, the best way to handle the spill of a highly volatile compound, such as diethyl ether or chloroform, is to open windows and fume hoods, leave the room, close and lock the door and let the room air out.