2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) A guidebook for First Responders during the initial phase of a dangerous goods/hazardous materials incident

Orientation to the ERG The ERG 2008 was developed jointly by: The ERG 2008 was developed jointly by: DOT (USA) TC (Canada) SCT (Mexico) with the collaboration of CIQUIME (Argentina) This guide was developed for use by Firefighters, Police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a HAZMAT

Orientation to the ERG The ERG is designed to The ERG is designed to –assist first responders in making initial decisions –primarily for use with dangerous goods incidents involving roadways and railroads The ERG may be of limited value for use at fixed facilities The ERG may be of limited value for use at fixed facilities It is not designed to be a substitute for product specific information It is not designed to be a substitute for product specific information

Orientation to the ERG First Responders must be trained in the use of this guidebook First Responders must be trained in the use of this guidebook –Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR –US Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 311

2008 ERG contents Yellow section Yellow section Blue section Blue section Orange section Orange section Green section Green section Other informational pages Other informational pages

Yellow section An index list of dangerous goods in order of UNID number An index list of dangerous goods in order of UNID number If a product in this section is highlighted, the user should first turn to the green section for the table of initial isolation and protective action distances If a product in this section is highlighted, the user should first turn to the green section for the table of initial isolation and protective action distances A guide number is provided (orange) A guide number is provided (orange)

Blue section An index list of dangerous goods in alphabetical order An index list of dangerous goods in alphabetical order If a product in this section is highlighted, the user should first turn to the green section for the table of initial isolation and protective action distances If a product in this section is highlighted, the user should first turn to the green section for the table of initial isolation and protective action distances A guide number is provided (orange) A guide number is provided (orange)

Orange section This is the most important section of the guidebook because it is where the safety recommendations are provided This is the most important section of the guidebook because it is where the safety recommendations are provided It comprises 62 individual sections presented in a two page format designed to cover a group of similar materials It comprises 62 individual sections presented in a two page format designed to cover a group of similar materials The individual guides are divided into three sections. Potential hazards, public safety, and emergency response The individual guides are divided into three sections. Potential hazards, public safety, and emergency response

Potential hazards Fire or explosion Fire or explosion Health Health –The highest potential hazard is listed first

Public safety Immediate isolation of the site Immediate isolation of the site Protective clothing Protective clothing Evacuation Evacuation –Spills –Fire

Emergency response Fire Fire Spill or leak Spill or leak First aid First aid

Green section Contains in order of UNID number, toxic inhalation hazards (TIH) Contains in order of UNID number, toxic inhalation hazards (TIH) –Chemical warfare agents –Water reactive materials which may produce toxic gasses upon contact with water Divided by small and large spills Divided by small and large spills Subdivided by initial isolation, day, and night Subdivided by initial isolation, day, and night

Other informational pages White pages which contain other valuable information White pages which contain other valuable information –Front of the book –Preceding the Green section of the book –Back of the book

Front informational pages Contain information pertaining to Contain information pertaining to –Where to locate shipping papers –How to use this guidebook –A users guide –Safety precautions –Who to call for assistance –A list of the UNID classes –Introduction to the table of placards, and a list of placards

Front informational pages (cont.) Contain information pertaining to Contain information pertaining to –Rail car identification chart –Road trailer identification chart –Hazard identification codes displayed on some intermodal containers –A note about when the responder should go to the table of initial isolation distances if the product is not on fire

Middle informational pages Contain information pertaining to Contain information pertaining to –Introduction to the table of initial isolation and protective action distances –Protective action decision factors to consider –Protective actions –Background of the initial isolation and protective action distance table –How to use the table

Back informational pages Contain information pertaining to Contain information pertaining to –Protective clothing –Fire and spill control –Criminal/terrorist use of chemical/biological/radiological agents –Indicators of a possible chemical incident –Indicators of a possible radiological incident –Glossary –Publication and distribution information

Final thoughts A “P” following the guide number in the yellow and blue pages identifies those materials which present a polymerization (any process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer) hazard under certain conditions. A “P” following the guide number in the yellow and blue pages identifies those materials which present a polymerization (any process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer) hazard under certain conditions.monomersnetworkmonomersnetwork 2008 ERG’s are available for public safety authorities free of charge ERG’s are available for public safety authorities free of charge.

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