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General product and workplace-guidance information only. It is not medical advice, and it does not replace your facility’s hazardous drug policy, the manufacturer’s instructions for use, or training in spill response.
A chemotherapy spill kit is a set of supplies kept where hazardous drugs are handled, so that trained staff can respond to a spill at once. Two public agency documents list what such a kit should hold: the US Indian Health Service (IHS) Indian Health Manual, which says each kit must contain nine items, and WorkSafe Victoria in Australia, which lists contents that a local risk assessment should shape. This page puts the two lists side by side, so you can read your own kit’s contents list against them.
Purpose and setting
People searching for chemo spill kit contents are usually pharmacy, infusion-suite, nursing or safety staff comparing a kit to a policy. The kit exists so that protective equipment, absorbent material, waste bags and access-restriction signs are in one place when a spill happens. IHS says spill kits “should be located in all the immediate areas where exposures may occur”. WorkSafe Victoria says a kit “should be available in all areas where a spill is likely to occur”, and it names vehicles as one such area.
This page covers kit contents, placement, checking and replacement. It does not give cleanup steps, and it does not classify waste; for waste streams see chemotherapy waste disposal: RCRA rules, trace vs. bulk waste, and USP 800. Supply planning for the wider suite is in the oncology infusion center supply checklist.
Chemotherapy spill kit contents checklist
The table groups items by function. The IHS column is the list the manual says each kit must contain; the WorkSafe Victoria column is its list of contents that may be included depending on the area’s risk assessment. A dash means the source does not list the item.
| Group | Item | IHS Indian Health Manual | WorkSafe Victoria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access control | Signs to mark or restrict the spill area | Signs to restrict access to the spill area | Signs to identify and isolate the spill area |
| Instructions | Written spill procedure | – | Instructions for use |
| Body protection | Gown or coverall | Protective lint-free gown with cuffs and back closure | Disposable impermeable gowns or coveralls, for two employees |
| Hand protection | Gloves | Chemotherapy gloves, 2 pairs | Nitrile or PVC industrial gloves long enough to cover the cuffs; a double layer is suggested |
| Foot protection | Shoe covers | Shoe covers | Disposable impermeable overshoes |
| Eye and face | Goggles, glasses, face shield | Eye protection (goggles) | Safety glasses or goggles, plus a face shield |
| Respiratory | Respirator | Respirators, an assortment as appropriate to fit-tested staff | P2/N95 face-fitting respirator |
| Head | Head cover | – | Hairnet or head cover |
| Absorbents | Pads, towels, pillows, mats | Absorbent pads with impermeable backing | Swabs, absorbent towels, spill pillows, chemical absorbent pads, protective mats, in adequate quantities |
| Collection tools | Scoop | Disposable dustpan and scoop | Small scoop for glass fragments |
| Cleaning | Wash bowl and detergent | – | Wash bowl and detergent with pH above 10 |
| Waste | Disposal bags | Hazardous drug disposal bags, 2 | Two purple plastic waste bags, clearly identified as cytotoxic |
| Records | Incident report forms | – | Incident report forms |
Both sources also accept a ready-made option. IHS notes that commercial chemotherapy spill kits may be used; WorkSafe Victoria notes that single-use commercially prepared cytotoxic spill kits are available. Neither source endorses a particular product.
Where the two lists agree and differ
- Agree: access-control signs, a gown, gloves, shoe covers or overshoes, eye protection, a respirator, absorbent material, a scoop, and waste bags for contaminated material.
- Only WorkSafe Victoria lists: written instructions, a face shield, head cover, a wash bowl with detergent above pH 10, and incident report forms. It also sizes the PPE for two employees.
- Different wording for the same role: IHS calls for pads with impermeable backing; WorkSafe Victoria lists several absorbent forms. IHS says “hazardous drug disposal bags”; WorkSafe Victoria’s “purple” bags are an Australian convention, so check what your own jurisdiction’s waste rules require.
What varies by facility type
Neither source gives one universal list. IHS sets a fixed minimum for its facilities, while WorkSafe Victoria tells employers to run a risk assessment of the area to decide what goes in the kit. WorkSafe Victoria’s scope includes any place where cytotoxic medicines or related waste are handled, and it specifically names vehicles. IHS ties respirators to the staff who are fit-tested, so the assortment in a kit depends on who works in that location. The sources do not break their lists down by hospital, clinic, pharmacy or home setting, so use your facility’s hazardous drug policy for any further local differences.
Storage, expiry and restocking
- Placement: in each area where exposure or a spill may occur (IHS; WorkSafe Victoria).
- Regular review: WorkSafe Victoria says to review spill kits regularly so that supplies are adequate, in good condition and in date. The IHS exhibit does not set an inspection interval, and this page does not either.
- After use: IHS recommends that used spill kit items be disposed of and replaced after use. WorkSafe Victoria’s guidance likewise expects a kit to be replenished and maintained after a spill.
- Training: WorkSafe Victoria says employers should train all employees likely to deal with spills, including where to access spill kits and how to replace them. IHS says only staff who have received formal spill response training are permitted to clean up hazardous drug spills.
Standards and rules that apply
This page draws on two public documents, both checked on 2026-11-01:
- IHS, Indian Health Manual, Part 3, Chapter 27, Exhibit C, spill kit requirements. It is a US federal health-service document for IHS facilities. It is not a general US regulation for all providers.
- WorkSafe Victoria, Cytotoxic medicines: Managing cytotoxic medicine spills. It is Victorian (Australian) workplace-safety guidance and uses Australian terms.
Handling standards such as USP General Chapter <800> are discussed on the USP 800 cleanroom requirements page; confirm what applies to your facility in the current text of the standard and in your own policy.
FAQ
What is in a chemotherapy spill kit?
Under the IHS Indian Health Manual, each kit must contain absorbent pads with impermeable backing, a disposable dustpan and scoop, goggles, two pairs of chemotherapy gloves, respirators suited to fit-tested staff, two hazardous drug disposal bags, a lint-free gown with cuffs and back closure, shoe covers, and signs to restrict access. WorkSafe Victoria adds items such as a face shield, head cover, detergent with pH above 10 and incident report forms.
Where should chemotherapy spill kits be kept?
IHS says in all the immediate areas where exposures may occur. WorkSafe Victoria says in all areas where a spill is likely to occur, including vehicles.
Can I use a commercial kit?
Both sources allow it. A commercial kit’s contents list can be read against the table above and against your facility’s policy.
Who may clean up a hazardous drug spill?
IHS says only individual staff who have received formal spill response training are permitted to clean up hazardous drug spills.
Should a kit be replaced after use?
IHS recommends disposing of used kit items and replacing them after use. WorkSafe Victoria says to keep kits replenished and maintained.
How often should a spill kit be checked?
WorkSafe Victoria says to review kits regularly for adequacy, condition and in-date supplies, without setting an interval. Follow the interval in your facility’s own policy.
Sources
- Indian Health Service, Indian Health Manual, Part 3, Chapter 27, Exhibit C, https://www.ihs.gov/ihm/pc/part-3/p3c27-ex-c/ (checked 2026-11-01).
- WorkSafe Victoria, Cytotoxic medicines: Managing cytotoxic medicine spills, https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/cytotoxic-medicines-managing-cytotoxic-medicine-spills (checked 2026-11-01).
Related CASRAI pages: outpatient infusion center supply checklist and clinical trial pharmacy supply checklist.
