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Find Out About the Chemical
You must know the hazards of a chemical before you begin to consider how to handle a spill. In many cases, you may already know what the chemical is and in what ways it can be dangerous -- for example, if you spill a beaker of solvent that you yourself filled. However, in other cases, you may not know what the spill contains or you may not know if it is corrosive or toxic. Before tackling a spill, find out what it is by checking the container label or asking others in the lab. Then make sure you know the chemical hazards. One way to do this is to quickly consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for that compound.
Consider Surroundings
In the event of a spill, you need to be aware of your immediate surroundings, since they may have an impact on the danger of the spill. If the spilled chemical is flammable, or produces flammable vapors, ensure that there are no nearby sources of ignition such as open flames or hot surfaces. Some vapors are more dense than air and can "creep" significant distances to ignition sites. Also look for other nearby chemicals or materials which the spill may react with in a hazardous manner.
Evacuate/Call for Help
There are many reasons why you may not attempt to clean up a spill on your own. You may not be able to find out the identity or hazards of the chemical, or the chemical may be too hazardous, or the spill too large. If you have any doubt, alert others in the vicinity, evacuate the area and cordon it off in some manner so nobody else enters. As quickly as possible, call for help from the local fire department or your local hazardous materials response unit.
Use Protective Equipment
Depending on the size of the spill and which chemical has been spilled, you will likely need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE). At a minimum, you should wear gloves to prevent skin contact with the compound; the MSDS should tell you the appropriate type of glove. You should also have a lab coat and safety glasses or goggles on for additional protection. If the chemical produces harmful vapors, wear a suitable respirator so you don't inhale the fumes. Note that the most common type of air-purifying respirator is only intended for relatively low levels of vapor exposure.
Contain
Once you are ready to tackle the spill, you must first try to stop it from spreading. A spill which spreads becomes more hazardous over time and may creep into cracks which will make it more difficult to clean up. If the spill gives off fumes, these are of course difficult to contain, but you may be able to use local ventilation, such as a fume hood, to remove them. If the chemical is a liquid, use an absorbent powder or damming material to make a complete ring around it. Such materials are available from chemical supply companies and should be standard items in all labs. Solid spills may not need containment.
Clean
Once the spill is contained, you need to clean it up. To do so, use a suitable spill cleaning kit, which your lab should have available in case of emergencies. These kits are specially made for various classes of chemicals, such as acids, bases, solvents and mercury. A typical spill kit contains a powder which you spread over the spill which absorbs any liquids and also neutralizes acids or bases. Once the liquid is absorbed, you can sweep up the powder and dispose of it as hazardous waste in a suitably labeled container. Solid spills can usually be swept up into a waste container, taking care not to cause airborne dust.