# How to Use the ERG

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** ERG 2024, How to Use the ERG
- **title:** How to Use the ERG
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2024-04-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** Official ERG2024 how to use the erg guidance, pages 3-8.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-how-to-use.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-how-to-use.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-how-to-use
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2024-04/ERG2024-Eng-Web-a.pdf#page=3
**body:**

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDEBOOK
RESIST RUSHING IN!
APPROACH INCIDENT FROM UPWIND, AND UPHILL AND/OR UPSTREAM
STAY CLEAR OF ALL SPILLS, VAPORS, FUMES, SMOKE, AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS
WARNING: DO NOT USE THIS FLOWCHART if more than one hazardous material/dangerous
good is involved. Immediately call the appropriate emergency response agency telephone number
listed on the inside back cover of this guidebook. For chemical or biological warfare agents,
refer to the “Criminal or Terrorist Use of Chemical, Biological and Radiological Agents” section.
YES
Do you see
an explosive
placard or
label?
For Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.5 Use GUIDE 112
For Divisions 1.4 or 1.6 Use GUIDE 114
NO
Do you know
the UN/NA
ID number?
Do you know
Do you see
NO NO NO
the name of
a placard or
the material?
label?
Do you see
a railcar or
road trailer?
NO
Use
GUIDE
111
YES YES YES YES
Search for the
ID number
in the
Yellow Pages
Search for the
material in the
Blue Pages
Refer to
Pages 8-9
Refer to
Pages 10-15
Determine the Guide Number
If the Guide Number has a “P”
next to it, the material may suffer
a violent polymerization
Is the material
highlighted in
green?
NO Use the appropriate
Orange Guide
YES
YES
NO
USE the appropriate
Orange Guide for
EVACUATION distances, THEN
USE TABLE 1 for
isolation and protective
action distances, AND
PROTECT in downwind
direction according to T ABLE 1
for residual material release
CONSULT the appropriate
Orange Guide
If product includes the reference (when spilled in water),
consult TABLE 2 for a list of the generated gases (for information
purposes only), AND do not use water as extinguishing agent.
BEFORE AN EMERGENCY - BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THIS GUIDEBOOK!
First responders must be trained in the use of this guidebook.
Page 1

LOCAL EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Please populate this section with emergency telephone numbers
for local assistance:
HAZMAT CONTRACTORS
RAIL COMPANIES
FEDERAL/STATE/PROVINCIAL AGENCIES
OTHERS
Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Shipping Papers (Documents) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside front cover
How to Use this Guidebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Local Emergency Telephone Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Notification and Request for Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Hazard Classification System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Introduction to the Table of Markings, Labels and Placards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Table of Markings, Labels and Placards and Initial Response Guide to Use On-scene . . . . .8
Rail Car Identification Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Road Trailer Identification Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) . . . . . . . .16
Hazard Identification Numbers Displayed on Some Intermodal Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Pipeline Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
ID Number Index (yellow section) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Name of Material Index (blue section) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
How to Use the Orange Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
General First Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Guides (orange section) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Introduction to Green Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Protective Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Protective Action Decision Factors to Consider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Background on Table 1 – Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
Table 1 – Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Table 2 – Water-Reactive Materials which Produce Toxic Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Table 3 – Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for Large Spills
for Different Quantities of Six Common TIH (PIH in the US) Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340
ERG2024 User’s Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344
Protective Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350
Decontamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352
Fire and Spill Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353
Considerations for Lithium Battery and Electric Vehicle (EV) Fires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356
BLEVE and Heat Induced Tear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .357
BLEVE – Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358
Criminal or Terrorist Use of Chemical, Biological and Radiological Agents . . . . . . . . . . . .360
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Safe Stand-Off Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .367
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369
Publication Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380
Canada and United States National Response Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .384
ERAP – Emergency Response Assistance Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .385
24-Hour Emergency Response Telephone Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .388Page 3

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
RESIST RUSHING IN!
APPROACH CAUTIOUSLY FROM UPWIND, UPHILL AND/OR UPSTREAM:
•
Stay clear of Vapor, Fumes, Smoke and Spills.
•
Keep vehicle at a safe distance from the scene.
SECURE THE SCENE:
•
Isolate the area and protect yourself and others.
IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS USING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
•
Placards
•
Container labels
•
Shipping papers
•
Rail Car and Road Trailer Identification Chart
•
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
•
Knowledge of persons on scene
•
Consult applicable orange guide
ASSESS THE SITUATION:
•
Is there a fire, a spill or a leak?
•
What are the weather conditions?
•
What is the terrain like?
•
Who/what is at risk: people, property or the environment?
•
What actions should be taken – evacuation, shelter-in-place or dike?
•
What resources (human and equipment) are required?
•
What can be done immediately?
OBTAIN HELP:
•
Advise your headquarters to notify responsible agencies and call for assistance from
qualified personnel.
RESPOND:
•
Enter only when wearing appropriate protective gear.
•
Rescue attempts and protecting property must be weighed against you becoming
part of the problem.
•
Establish a command post and lines of communication.
•
Continually reassess the situation and modify response accordingly.
•
Consider safety of people in the immediate area first, including your own safety.
ABOVE ALL: Do not assume that gases or vapors are harmless because of lack of a
smell – odorless gases or vapors may be harmful. Use CAUTION when handling empty
containers because they may still present hazards until they are cleaned and purged of
all residues.
Page 4

NOTIFICATION AND REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Follow the steps outlined in your organization’s standard operating procedures and/or local
emergency response plan for obtaining qualified assistance. Generally, the notification
sequence and requests for technical information beyond what is available in this guidebook
should occur in the following order:
1. NOTIFY YOUR ORGANIZATION/AGENCY
•
Based on information provided, this will set in motion a series of events. Actions
may range from dispatching additional trained personnel to the scene, to
activating the local emergency response plan.
•
Ensure that local fire and police departments have been notified.
2. CALL THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TELEPHONE NUMBER ON THE
SHIPPING PAPER
•
If shipping paper is not available, use guidance under next section “NATIONAL
ASSISTANCE”.
3. NATIONAL ASSISTANCE
•
Contact the appropriate emergency response agency listed on the inside back cover
of this guidebook.
•
Provide as much information about the hazardous material/dangerous good and
the nature of the incident.
•
The agency will provide immediate advice on handling the early stages of the incident.
•
The agency will also contact the shipper or manufacturer of the material for more
detailed information if necessary.
•
The agency will request on-scene assistance when necessary.
4. PROVIDE AS MUCH OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE:
•
Your name, call-back telephone number, fax number
•
Location and nature of problem (spill, fire, etc.)
•
Name and identification number of material(s) involved
•
Shipper/consignee/point-of-origin
•
Carrier name, rail car or truck number
•
Container type and size
•
Quantity of material transported/released
•
Local conditions (weather, terrain)
•
Proximity to schools, hospitals, waterways, etc.
•
Injuries and exposures
•
Local emergency services that have been notified
Page 5

HAZARD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The hazard class of hazardous materials/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 placards, 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 paper after each proper shipping name.
Class 1 - Explosives
Division 1.1 Division 1.2 Division 1.3 Division 1.4 Division 1.5 Division 1.6 Explosives which have a mass explosion hazard
Explosives which have a projection hazard but not a mass
explosion hazard
Explosives which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast
hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass
explosion hazard
Explosives which present no significant hazard
Very insensitive explosives with a mass explosion hazard
Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass
explosion hazard
Class 2 - Gases
Division 2.1 Flammable gases
Division 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic* gases
Division 2.3 Toxic* gases
Class 3 - Class 4 - Flammable liquids (and Combustible liquids [U.S.])
Flammable solids; Substances liable to spontaneous combustion;
Substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases
Division 4.1 Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid
desensitized explosives
Division 4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Division 4.3 Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases
Class 5 - Oxidizing substances and Organic peroxides
Division 5.1 Oxidizing substances
Division 5.2 Organic peroxides
Class 6 - Toxic* substances and Infectious substances
Division 6.1 Toxic* substances
Division 6.2 Infectious substances
Class 7 - Radioactive materials
Class 8 - Corrosive substances
Class 9 - Miscellaneous hazardous materials/dangerous goods and articles
* The words “poison” or “poisonous” are synonymous with the word “toxic”.
Page 6
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