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Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

This is an online version of the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) which is produced by the USDOT for first responders during the initial phase of a Dangerous goods/Hazardous Materials incident. Have you ever wondered what those four digit numbers on the placards on the side of trucks and rail cars mean? Our online ERG will give you your answer.

  • Detain or isolate uninjured persons or equipment suspected to be contaminated; delay decontamination and cleanup until instructions are received from Radiation Authority.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

  • Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
  • Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection.
  • Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible.

EVACUATION

Large Spill
  • See Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
Fire
  • When a large quantity of this material is involved in a major fire, consider an initial evacuation distance of 300 meters (1000 feet) in all directions.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

FIRE

  • DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM ON MATERIAL ITSELF.
  • Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.
Small Fire
  • Dry chemical or CO2.
Large Fire
  • Water spray, fog or regular foam.
  • Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
  • If this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.
  • ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

SPILL OR LEAK

  • Do not touch damaged packages or spilled material.
  • Without fire or smoke, leak will be evident by visible and irritating vapors and residue forming at the point of release.
  • Use fine water spray to reduce vapors; do not put water directly on point of material release from container.
  • Residue buildup may self-seal small leaks.
  • Dike far ahead of spill to collect runoff water.

FIRST AID

  • Call 911 or emergency medical service.
  • Medical problems take priority over radiological concerns.
  • Use first aid treatment according to the nature of the injury.
  • Do not delay care and transport of a seriously injured person.
  • Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing.
  • Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
  • In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.
  • Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.
  • Injured persons contaminated by contact with released material are not a serious hazard to health care personnel, equipment or facilities.
  • Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and prevent spread of contamination.

Data Source for our online 2008 ERG

This information was compiled from the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook (2008 ERG) which is produced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

(Data last updated/verified: Oct. 2, 2011)

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Disclaimer

WARNING: These pages are for general reference and educational purposes only and MUST NOT be relied upon as a sole source to determine regulatory compliance or where matters of life and health are concerned. This site and the author do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or the sufficiency of the information provided and do not assume any responsibility for its use.

To ensure regulatory compliance when transporting hazardous materials or dangerous goods, one must receive proper training and certification from a qualified instructor and refer to the current year's Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 (49CFR) or your country's shipping regulations. In matters regarding workplace safety, refer to current OSHA regulations (29CFR) and NIOSH guidelines or your own country's health and safety regulations. No one should ever enter into a hazardous environment without proper training from qualified instructors.

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