
The Emergency Response Guidebook: A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident (ERG) is used by emergency response personnel (such as firefighters, paramedics and police officers) in Canada, Mexico, and the United States when responding to a transportation emergency involving hazardous materials.
How to prepare an emergency response plan?
Incident Stabilization
- Developing the Emergency Plan. Developing an emergency plan begins with an understanding of what can happen. ...
- Warning, Notifications, and Communications. ...
- Roles and Responsibilities for Building Owners and Facility Managers. ...
- Site and Facility Plans and Information. ...
- Training and Exercises. ...
How to respond and Cope in an emergency?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) posts this advice about building explosions:
- Get under a sturdy table or desk if things are falling around you.
- When those items stop falling, leave quickly. ...
- Don't use elevators in the building.
- Once outside, don't stand by windows or other potential hazards.
- Move away from sidewalks or streets needed by emergency officials or others still leaving the building.
How often is the ERG updated?
One may also ask, how often is the ERG guidebook updated? Every jurisdiction should have an ERG in every vehicle that responds to incidents. The guide is updated every four years; 2016 is the most current edition. Likewise, people ask, what section of the ERG lists chemicals in numerical order?
How to properly respond to a medical emergency?
- Do not hold the person down or try to stop his or her movements.
- Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. This can injure teeth or the jaw. ...
- Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (like CPR). People usually start breathing again on their own after a seizure.
- Do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert.

What are the four sections of the Emergency Response Guidebook?
Then, the Guidebook is divided into four color-coded sections: yellow, blue, orange and green. The yellow-bordered pages index the list of dangerous goods in numerical order of 4-digit ID numbers. The user is provided with a corresponding guide number that references safety information in the orange section.
What information does the ERG green section give?
GREEN - Illustrates the evacuation and protective action distance when a hazardous materials is considered Toxic-by-Inhalation (TIH). Materials in the Yellow and Blue section that are highlighted in green refer to this section.
Where in the ERG can you find safety?
Orange Section Each of the 62 guides provides safety recommendations and directions on how to proceed during the initial response phase (first thirty minutes) of the incident. It includes "health" and "fire or explosion" potential hazard information (with the more dangerous hazard listed first).
What does Emergency Response Guide 128 provide?
128 for FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS (Water-Immiscible) HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
What is the white section of the ERG?
White: This is the information section for the ERG.
What three pieces of information does the ERG orange section provide?
4) The Orange section of the NAERG Guidebook provides information on health, fire and explosion hazards and a guide for emergency action.
How do you look up in the ERG?
7:5621:43How to Use the 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou will begin with either the yellow pages or blue pages those pages will guide you directly to theMoreYou will begin with either the yellow pages or blue pages those pages will guide you directly to the center of the book where the orange guides are located. The orange section is ultimately where you
How often do ERG books come out?
Updated guidebooks. Every four years, the U.S. Department of Transportation updates the ERG.
How do you navigate ERG?
1:498:12Overview of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) 2020 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNumber start with the yellow pages here dangerous goods are listed in numerical. Order by un numberMoreNumber start with the yellow pages here dangerous goods are listed in numerical. Order by un number followed by a three-digit number corresponding to a guide in the orange.
What does emergency response plan include?
Plans should show the layout of access roads, parking areas, buildings on the property, building entrances, the locations of emergency equipment and the locations of controls for building utility and protection systems. Instructions for operating all systems and equipment should be accessible to emergency responders.
What are the 15 emergency support functions?
Emergency Support FunctionsESF #1: Transportation.ESF #2: Communications.ESF #3: Public Works and Engineering.ESF #4: Firefighting.ESF #5: Information and Planning.ESF #6: Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing, and Human Services.ESF #7: Logistics.ESF #8: Public Health and Medical Services.
What are the 4 emergency guidelines?
Current thinking defines four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. There are entire courses on each of these phases.
What information does the ERG green section give first responders quizlet?
Initial Isolation is found in the green section. includes information on personal protective equipment, fire & spill control, criminal terrorist use of hazardous materials, and glossary.
What color pages in the ERG contains general information?
The color and meaning of each section. White: This section shares general information on placards, rail cars, pipelines, and trailer identification. It also breaks down the classification of all hazardous materials. Yellow: The yellow section helps you identify the specific chemicals that are part of the incident.
Which ERG section contains the minimum isolation distance?
The minimum initial isolation distance given by Table 1 in the ERG will always be at least: 100 feet (30 m). Why is it important to stop potentially contaminated individuals or animals from leaving the scene of a hazmat incident?
What section of the ERG provides initial isolation distances for hazardous materials?
The green sectionThe green section contains the table of initial isolation and protective action distances. These distances are useful for protecting people from vapors resulting from spills considered poisonous or toxic if inhaled.
How often is the Emergency Response Guidebook published?
The Emergency Response Guidebook is updated every four years. The current edition is the 2016 ERG. We have detailed information about this version on our 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook training page. The 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook is expected to be released in the Spring of 2020.
What is ERG in publishing?
The ERG is a joint publication with input from four agencies:
What is an ERG?
What is the Emergency Response Guidebook? The Emergency Response Guidebook, commonly referred to as the ERG, is primarily used for the initial response involving hazardous materials transported by highway and railway, but also used for materials transported by air, water, or by pipeline. It’s a guide to aid first responders in quickly identifying ...
Does Hazmat use ERG?
HazMat Solutions uses the ERG in their HazMat Training classes. We also provide helpful resources on our website. All of our resources will be updated with the 2020 ERG information when it becomes available. Want to be notified when it goes live? Sign up for notifications here!
What are the 62 safety guides?
It includes "health" and "fire or explosion" potential hazard information (with the more dangerous hazard listed first). For example, "the material gives off irritating vapors, easily ignited by heat, reactive with water"; "highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin"; etc.
What is the purpose of ERG?
The primary purpose of ERG is to direct the emergency responders to the most appropriate of these guides, based on the incident. The ERG also provides guidance regarding recommended evacuation distances, if applicable, in the Green Section .
How often is the ERG issued?
The ERG is issued every 4 years, with editions now being published in Spanish ( Guía de Respuesta en Caso de Emergencia) and French. In 1996 it was published as the North American Emergency Response Guidebook, but by the next publication in 2000 "North American" was removed due to its use by several South American countries).
When should Guide #111 be followed?
In the event of an unknown material, Guide #111 should be followed until more information becomes available.
What is an ERG?
The ERG is primarily applicable for hazardous materials transported by highway and railway, but also is applicable for materials transported by air or waterway, as well as by pipeline. It was first issued by the US Department of Transportation in 1973, but later became a joint publication of the Department of Transportation (US DOT), Transport Canada (TC), and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) of Mexico, with collaboration with the Chemistry Information Center for Emergencies (CIQUIME) of Argentina. The ERG is issued every 4 years, with editions now being published in Spanish ( Guía de Respuesta en Caso de Emergencia) and French. In 1996 it was published as the North American Emergency Response Guidebook, but by the next publication in 2000 "North American" was removed due to its use by several South American countries). The ERG "is primarily a guide to aid first responders in quickly identifying the specific or generic hazards of the material (s) involved in the incident, and protecting themselves and the general public during the initial response phase of the incident" and should only be used for the "initial response phase" ("that period following arrival at the scene of an incident during which the presence and/or identification of dangerous goods is confirmed, protective actions and area securement are initiated, and assistance of qualified personnel is requested.") of an incident . It is divided into six color-coded sections (white [uncolored], yellow, blue, orange, green, and a second white [uncolored]). The ERG includes 62 "Guides" (found in the Orange Section) that identify the primary hazards associated with the applicable general category of hazardous material and general guidance on how to respond to incidents involving that general category of hazardous material. The primary purpose of ERG is to direct the emergency responders to the most appropriate of these guides, based on the incident. The ERG also provides guidance regarding recommended evacuation distances, if applicable, in the Green Section .
About the ERG
The 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook provides first responders with a go-to manual to help deal with hazmat transportation accidents during the critical first 30 minutes.
Distribution
DOT's goal is to place an ERG in every public emergency service vehicle nationwide. To date, nearly 14.5 million free copies have been distributed to the emergency response community through state emergency management coordinators. Members of the public may purchase a copy of the ERG through the GPO Bookstore and other commercial suppliers.
Get a Free Copy
Copies are available free of charge to emergency departments through each state's emergency coordinator. The guidebook can also be downloaded from Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).
Why is emergency response information required?
To increase the likelihood that emergency response information will be available to first responders at the scene of a hazardous materials incident , the Hazardous Materials Regulations require that emergency response information accompany most shipments of hazardous materials. (Emergency response information is not required for hazardous materials that do not require shipping papers or are classified as an ORM-D.)
What is ERG in emergency?
The ERG helps first responders quickly identify the hazard (s) of the materials and protect themselves and the general public during the initial response phase of an incident. The "initial response phase" is the period following the first responders' arrival at the scene, during which the presence and/or identification of hazardous materials is ...
Why do you need an ERG for shipping?
Although not the original intended use for the ERG, keeping an ERG with the hazmat shipping papers is an easy way to comply with the emergency response information requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations. Many carriers play it safe and carry an ERG in their vehicles to cover any hazmat load/situation they may encounter.
What is an ERG?
The ERG is an example of this type of document. Carriers that transport hazardous materials must maintain the emergency response information the same as they do shipping papers. The emergency response information must be readily available to, and recognizable by, authorities in the event of an incident or inspection.
When will the 2012 ERG be released?
The next edition, the 2012 ERG, is anticipated to be released in early 2012. Anyone who works with hazardous materials will want the new 2012 ERG to be sure they have the latest emergency response information.
Who distributes ERG?
The DOT distributes copies of the ERG to emergency responders throughout the U.S. The goal is to have one available to every emergency responder in the country. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency regulations require that first responders be trained on the use of the ERG.
Do carriers keep emergency guides in their trucks?
The scenario was part of a Schneider National exercise for hazardous materials responders, but in real life, many carriers keep a current Emergency Guidebook in their trucks to comply with hazmat regulations.
How to identify hazardous goods?
The hazard class of dangerous goods is indicated either by its class (or division) number or name . Placards are used to identify the class or division of a material. The hazard class or division number must be displayed in the lower corner of a placard and is required for both primary and subsidiary hazard classes and divisions, if applicable. For other than Class 7 or the OXYGEN placard, text indicating a hazard (for example, “CORROSIVE”) is not required. Text is shown only in the U.S. The hazard class or division number and subsidiary hazard classes or division numbers placed in parentheses (when applicable), must appear on the shipping document after each proper shipping name.
How many digits are in a hazard number?
The hazard identification number in the top half of the orange panel consists of two or three digits. In general, the digits indicate the following hazards:
What is an ERG?
The North American Emergency Response Guide (ERG) is published every four years to provide comprehensive emergency response mitigation information for incidents involving hazardous materials such as fires , spills & leaks and medical emergencies. The ERG allows carriers, shippers and others to identify hazardous materials by identification numbers or proper shipping names, which are then used to find the appropriate emergency response guide page for handling incidents involving those materials. The current edition of the ERG is the new 2020 edition.
What is ERG in shipping?
The ERG allows carriers, shippers and others to identify hazardous materials by identification numbers or proper shipping names, which are then used to find the appropriate emergency response guide page for handling incidents involving those materials.
What is the ERG 2020?
The Emergency Response Guidebook is a guidebook intended for use by first responders during the initial phase of a transportation incident involving dangerous goods/hazardous materials.
