The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is an essential resource developed collaboratively by organizations like the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Transport Canada, and others. Initially intended for first responders dealing with hazmat transportation incidents, its use has expanded to various industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and warehousing. It provides crucial guidance, helps meet safety requirements, and offers emergency response information when chemicals are present.
Alternative text: A close-up of the Emergency Response Guidebook cover, showcasing its importance for hazmat incident response.
Understanding the ERG
The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is a compact, vital resource containing life-saving information for responding to transportation emergencies involving hazardous materials.
ERG Updates
The ERG is updated every four years to ensure the information is current. The latest version is the 2020 ERG, with the 2024 ERG anticipated for release in late Spring 2024.
Who Needs an ERG?
Any company or worker involved with hazardous materials should have ERG copies. First responders, those working with hazmat, individuals handling chemicals, and those shipping, transporting, or loading hazmat can use this information to minimize risks in case of an incident.
Key Changes in the 2024 ERG
PHMSA has outlined significant updates in the 2024 ERG, including a QR code on the back cover for instant access to incident reporting information. Other changes include:
White Section:
- Removal of outdated markings and placards.
- Addition of new descriptive text to the Road Trailer ID Chart.
- Addition of a cryogenic railcar to the Railcar ID Chart.
- Inclusion of a table to aid in evacuation or shelter-in-place decisions.
- Creation of a new section addressing criminal or terrorist use of chemical, biological, and radiological agents.
- Expansion of the glossary with 14 new terms.
Yellow/Blue Section:
- Addition of 11 new UN numbers and removal of 8 obsolete ones to align with international Dangerous Goods Regulations.
- Changing the guide number to 19 materials to ensure they are assigned to the appropriate Orange guide.
- Incorporation of chemical warfare agents into the Criminal or Terrorist Use section.
- Addition of the polymerization hazard (P) to UN3302.
Orange Section:
- Relocation of general first aid recommendations to a new General First Aid section.
- Updates to safety and response information in 15 guides.
Green Section:
- Removal of chemical warfare agents to the Criminal or Terrorist Use section.
- Revision of distances in Table 1 and Table 3.
Alternative text: An illustration of the ERG’s color-coded sections, highlighting their different purposes in guiding emergency responses to hazardous materials incidents.
Decoding ERG Section Colors
The ERG’s color-coded sections facilitate quick navigation and identification of safety procedures:
- White Pages: Provide instructions, general safety precautions, hazard classifications, and identification charts.
- Yellow Bordered Pages: Arranged by UN or ID number, providing guide numbers for materials.
- Blue Bordered Pages: Arranged by proper shipping name, providing guide numbers for materials.
- Orange Bordered Pages: Contain response guides with safety recommendations and directions for the initial response phase, covering fire/explosion risks, health hazards, protective clothing, evacuation, spill control, and first aid.
- Green Bordered Pages: Offer initial evacuation or shelter-in-place distances for spills of Toxic-by-Inhalation (TIH) materials.
What is an ERG Guide Number?
An ERG guide number is a numerical code found within the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) that corresponds to a specific hazardous material. These numbers, located in the yellow- and blue-bordered sections of the ERG, direct users to the appropriate orange-bordered guide, which contains detailed safety recommendations and emergency response procedures for that particular substance. The guide number is crucial for quickly accessing the information needed to handle an incident involving a specific hazardous material safely and effectively. For example, if you identify a substance with UN number 1203, the yellow-bordered section will provide a corresponding guide number, such as 128, which you would then reference in the orange-bordered section for detailed guidance.
Regulatory Requirements for the ERG
While there isn’t a specific requirement to have an ERG, the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) mandate that anyone shipping or transporting hazardous materials must provide the most current emergency response information for those materials. Using the most current ERG is one way to meet this requirement.
Using Older ERG Versions
Technically, older ERG versions can be used if they contain the most current information for the materials in question. However, due to frequent updates, using the latest ERG is recommended to avoid outdated emergency response information.
ERG Formats and Languages
The ERG is available in soft bound and spiral formats, in standard (5-1/2” x 7-1/2”) and pocket (4” x 5-1/2”) sizes, and in both English and Spanish.
Electronic ERG Usage
When providing emergency response information for transporting hazardous materials, the HMR requires a hard copy. However, the ERG can be used in electronic format for all other applications.
Alternative text: Various scenarios showcasing how the ERG can be utilized, from emergency response planning to safety training and driver assistance.
ERG Applications
The ERG is a valuable tool for:
- Safety Training: The ERG contains safety information for numerous hazardous materials and chemicals.
- Driver Assistance: Drivers can use the ERG to ensure safety until first responders arrive and as a backup plan if the shipper fails to provide correct emergency response information.
- Manufacturer Safety Procedures: Manufacturers can use the ERG to develop safety procedures and emergency response plans for chemical leaks or spills.
- Shippers: Shippers can use the ERG to provide required emergency response information and to supplement safety training programs.
Conclusion
The Emergency Response Guidebook is a critical resource for anyone involved with hazardous materials. Understanding its structure, updates, and applications is essential for ensuring safety and compliance. By utilizing the ERG effectively, individuals and organizations can minimize risks and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
