How to Use an Emergency Response

Introduction Guidebook 2020

The Emergency Response Guidebook 2020
(ERG) is intended to be used by responders in
Finding another
the initial steps of a hazardous materials 1. STOP! BEFORE PROCEEDING, placard will most
transportation accident via rail or roadway. MAKE SURE YOU ARE UPHILL, likely not tell you
The book is not comprehensive and not UPWIND AND UPSTREAM OF what the material
intended to assist in getting through a full THE SPILL, VAPORS, AND OTHER is, but may be able
incident but is designed to assist in initial HAZARDS. to give you the
identification, isolation, and firefighting type. Ex:
tactics. flammable, organic
peroxide, etc.

2. Do you see an Yes For Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 Use Guide 112 (Page 162) Use Guide 111
(Page 160)
explosive placard? For Divisions 1.4 or 1.6 Use Guide 114 (Page 166)

No

3. Do you see a No Do you know the chemical No Is there any other placard on the No Do you see a railcar or No
UN number? name of the material? trailer, car or truck? highway trailer?

Yes Yes Yes Yes

A UN Number is
the number that
can be found on 4. Find the ID Find the material
in the blue pages
Find the matching Find the matching
a highway number in the placard on pages trailer on pages
trailers placard. (listed 8-9 10-13
yellow pages
This number is alphabetically)
(listed in
used to identify
the material numerical order)
inside the trailer.
 Redo the flowchart to Identify Material
Determine the Guide Numbers
Name or UN Number

WARNING: IF THE GUIDE NUMBER

Is the Product Name No Use the Correct Orange
HAS A P NEXT TO IT THERE IS A
Highlighted in Green? Guide
POLYMERIZATION HAZARD

Yes
Polymerization- A chemical reaction that
causes very high heat and can cause an
explosion or rupture of the vessel it is being
Is the Material on Fire?
stored in.

Conclusion
Yes No
At this point the product
should be identified and Use Orange Guide for Use TABLE 1 For
initial action should have Evacuation Distances, Protective Action and
been taken such as THEN Isolation Distances
evacuation and properly
isolating all responders and Protect DOWNWIND Use Appropriate
bystanders far enough from in Accordance to Table Orange Guide for
the product to be harmed. 1 Further Information
To start product mitigation,
more advanced resources
must be used. This book
was only intended for If the product includes the reference “If spilled in water” consult TABLE 2 for a list of generated
INITIAL ACTIONS, not the gases and DO NOT USE WATER AS AN EXTINGUISHING AGENT
entire incident.