DOTDOTDEPARTMENTDEPARTMENT

OF OF TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

Transportation of Transportation of Hazardous MaterialsHazardous Materials

ERG2004 USERS GUIDEERG2004 USERS GUIDE It was developed by (USA – Canada – It was developed by (USA – Canada –

Mexico – Argentina) to be used by: Fire Mexico – Argentina) to be used by: Fire Fighters, Police, and other emergency Fighters, Police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a transportation arrive at the scene of a transportation incident involving dangerous goods. incident involving dangerous goods.

ContinuedContinuedIt 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 (First 10 minutes).

Initial Response PhaseInitial Response PhaseIs that period following arrival at the

scene of an incident during which the presence and/or identification of dangerous goods id confirmed, protective actions and area securement are initiated, and assisstance of qualified personnel is requested.

Dangerous GoodsDangerous GoodsERG2004 incorporates dangerous ERG2004 incorporates dangerous

goods lists from the most recent goods lists from the most recent United Nations (UN) United Nations (UN) recommendations as well as from recommendations as well as from othe international and national othe international and national regulationsregulations

HOW TO USE THE HOW TO USE THE DOT EMERGENCY DOT EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE RESPONSE GUIDE

Guidebook ContentsGuidebook ContentsYellow-boarded pagesYellow-boarded pagesBlue-boarded pagesBlue-boarded pagesOrange-boarded pagesOrange-boarded pagesGreen-boarded pagesGreen-boarded pages

Yellow-Boarded PagesYellow-Boarded Pages Index list of dangerous goods in numerical order of ID Index list of dangerous goods in numerical order of ID

number.number. This section quickly identifies the guide to be consulted This section quickly identifies the guide to be consulted

from the ID Number of the material involved.from the ID Number of the material involved. This list displays the 4-digit ID number of the material This list displays the 4-digit ID number of the material

followed by its assigned emergency response guide and the followed by its assigned emergency response guide and the material name.material name.

For example:For example:

ID No.ID No. Guide No.Guide No. Name of MaterialName of Material10901090 127127 ACETONEACETONE

ExplosivesExplosivesExplosives are not listed individually Explosives are not listed individually

by either proper shipping names or ID by either proper shipping names or ID Numbers.Numbers.

They do, however appear under the They do, however appear under the general heading ËXPLOSIVE” on the general heading ËXPLOSIVE” on the first pages of the yellow boarded pages, first pages of the yellow boarded pages, and alphabetically in the name of and alphabetically in the name of material index (Blue-Boarded Pages) material index (Blue-Boarded Pages)

PolymerizationPolymerizationThe letter “P” following the guide The letter “P” following the guide

number in the yellow or blue boarded number in the yellow or blue boarded pages identifies those materials which pages identifies those materials which present a polymerization hazard present a polymerization hazard under certain conditions.under certain conditions.

Example: Acrolein inhibited 131P (ID Example: Acrolein inhibited 131P (ID Number: 1092).Number: 1092).

DOT Emergency Response GuidebookDOT Emergency Response GuidebookYellow PagesYellow Pages

Numerical Listing by UN Numerical Listing by UN ID NumberID Number

If the material is If the material is highlighted it refers highlighted it refers you to the green pages you to the green pages – Initial Isolation and – Initial Isolation and Protective Action Protective Action DistancesDistances

Blue-Boarded PagesBlue-Boarded Pages Index list of dangerous goods in alphbetical order of Index list of dangerous goods in alphbetical order of

material name.material name. This section quickly identifies the guide to be consulted This section quickly identifies the guide to be consulted

from the name of the material involved.from the name of the material involved. This list displays the name of the material followed by its This list displays the name of the material followed by its

assigned emergency response guide and 4-digit ID assigned emergency response guide and 4-digit ID number.number.

For example:For example:

Name of MaterialName of Material Guide No.Guide No. ID No.ID No.Sulfuric AcidSulfuric Acid 137137 18301830

DOT Emergency Response GuidebookDOT Emergency Response GuidebookBlue PagesBlue Pages

Alphabetical ListingAlphabetical Listing

If the material is If the material is highlighted it refers highlighted it refers you to the green pages you to the green pages – Initial Isolation and – Initial Isolation and Protective Action Protective Action DistancesDistances

Orange-Boarded PagesOrange-Boarded Pages This section is the most important section of the This section is the most important section of the

guidebook because it is where all safet guidebook because it is where all safet recommendations are provided.recommendations are provided.

It comprises a total of 62 individual guides, presented It comprises a total of 62 individual guides, presented in a two-page format.in a two-page format.

Each guide provides safety recommendations and Each guide provides safety recommendations and emergency response information to protect yourself emergency response information to protect yourself and the public.and the public.

The lift hand page provides safety related information The lift hand page provides safety related information whereas the right hand page provides emergency whereas the right hand page provides emergency response guidance and activities for fire situations, response guidance and activities for fire situations, spills or leak incidents and first aid.spills or leak incidents and first aid.

ContinueContinue Each guide is designed to cover a group of materials Each guide is designed to cover a group of materials

which possess similar chemical and toxicological which possess similar chemical and toxicological characteristics.characteristics.

The guide title identifies the general hazards of the The guide title identifies the general hazards of the dangerous goods covered.dangerous goods covered.

For example:For example: Guide 124 – Gases – Toxic and/or corrosive-Guide 124 – Gases – Toxic and/or corrosive-

OxidizingOxidizing Each guide is divided into three main sections. Each guide is divided into three main sections.

Potential hazards, Public safety, and Emergency Potential hazards, Public safety, and Emergency response.response.

DOT Emergency Response Guidebook DOT Emergency Response Guidebook Guide Page Response InformationGuide Page Response Information

Potential Hazards:Potential Hazards: Fire and Explosion Fire and Explosion Health HazardHealth Hazard

Public Safety:Public Safety: General Notification General Notification

InformationInformation Initial Isolation and Initial Isolation and

Protective Action Protective Action DistancesDistances

EvacuationEvacuation Protective ClothingProtective Clothing

Emergency Response:Emergency Response: FireFire Spill or LeakSpill or Leak First AidFirst Aid

Green-Boarded PagesGreen-Boarded Pages This section contains a table which lists, by ID number, This section contains a table which lists, by ID number,

TIH (Toxic by Inhalation) materials (Liquid or gas TIH (Toxic by Inhalation) materials (Liquid or gas which is known to be so toxic to humans as to pose a which is known to be so toxic to humans as to pose a hazard to health during transportation, it has an LC50 hazard to health during transportation, it has an LC50 value not more than 5000 ppm.) including certain water-value not more than 5000 ppm.) including certain water-reactive materials which produce toxic gases upon reactive materials which produce toxic gases upon contact with water.contact with water.

The table provides two different types of recommended The table provides two different types of recommended safe distances which are “initial isolation distance” and safe distances which are “initial isolation distance” and “Protective action distances”“Protective action distances”

The materials are highlighted for easy identification in The materials are highlighted for easy identification in both numeric (yellow-boarded pages) and alphabetic both numeric (yellow-boarded pages) and alphabetic (blue-boarded pages) (blue-boarded pages)

Hazard ZonesHazard Zones

Hazard ZonesHazard Zones

Small Spill – Large SpillSmall Spill – Large SpillSmall Spill: (200 liters or Small Spill: (200 liters or

less).less).Large Spill: more than 200 Large Spill: more than 200

litersliters

Initial Isolation DistanceInitial Isolation Distance Is a distance within which all persons should be Is a distance within which all persons should be

considered for evacuation in all directions from the considered for evacuation in all directions from the actual spill/leak source.actual spill/leak source.

It is a distance (radius) which defines a circle (initial It is a distance (radius) which defines a circle (initial isolation zone) within which persons may be exposed isolation zone) within which persons may be exposed to dangerous concentrations upwind of the source and to dangerous concentrations upwind of the source and may be exposed to life threatening concentrations may be exposed to life threatening concentrations downwind of the source. For example, in case of downwind of the source. For example, in case of compressed gas, toxic ID No. 1955, inhalation hazard compressed gas, toxic ID No. 1955, inhalation hazard zone A, the isolation distance for small spills is 430 zone A, the isolation distance for small spills is 430 meters, representing an evacuation circle of 860 meters, representing an evacuation circle of 860 meters in diameter. meters in diameter.

Protective Action DistanceProtective Action Distance For the same material, the protective isolation For the same material, the protective isolation

distance is 4.2 kilometers for a daytime incident and distance is 4.2 kilometers for a daytime incident and 8.4 kilometers for a nighttime incident.8.4 kilometers for a nighttime incident.

Daytimes - NighttimesDaytimes - Nighttimes Varying Atmosphere Conditions which affect the Varying Atmosphere Conditions which affect the

size of the hazardous area.size of the hazardous area. Change due to the different mixing and Change due to the different mixing and

dispersion condition in the air.dispersion condition in the air. During the night the air is calm and causes the During the night the air is calm and causes the

chemical to disperse less and therefore create a chemical to disperse less and therefore create a toxicity zone which is greater than would usually toxicity zone which is greater than would usually ccur during he day.ccur during he day.

ContinuedContinued

Class 1: ExplosivesClass 1: Explosives Division 1.1 Explosives with a mass explosion hazardDivision 1.1 Explosives with a mass explosion hazard Division 1.2 Explosives with a projection hazardDivision 1.2 Explosives with a projection hazard Division 1.3 Explosives with predominantly a fire Division 1.3 Explosives with predominantly a fire

hazardshazards Division 1.4 Explosives with no significant blast Division 1.4 Explosives with no significant blast

hazardhazard Division 1.5 Very insensitive explosives; blasting Division 1.5 Very insensitive explosives; blasting

agentsagents Division 1.6 Extremely insensitive detonating articles.Division 1.6 Extremely insensitive detonating articles.

Compatibility/GroupCompatibility/Group Letters identify explosives that are deemed to

be compatible. Class 1 materials are considered to be

“compatible” if they can be transported together without significantly increasing either the probability of an incident or, for a given quantity, the magnitude of the sffects of such an incident.

Compatibility GroupCompatibility Group

Class 2 GasesClass 2 Gases Division 2.1 Flammable gasesDivision 2.1 Flammable gases Division 2.2 Non-Flammable, non-toxic compressed Division 2.2 Non-Flammable, non-toxic compressed

gasesgases Division 2.3 Gases toxic by inhalationDivision 2.3 Gases toxic by inhalation Division 2.4 Corrosive gasesDivision 2.4 Corrosive gases

Class 3 Flammable LiquidsClass 3 Flammable Liquids

Class 4 Flammable SolidsClass 4 Flammable Solids

Division 4.1 Flammable SolidsDivision 4.1 Flammable SolidsDivision 4.2 Spontaneously combustible Division 4.2 Spontaneously combustible

materialsmaterialsDivision 4.3 Dangerous when wet Division 4.3 Dangerous when wet

materialsmaterials

Class 5 Oxidizers and Organic PeroxidesClass 5 Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides

Division 5.1 OxidizersDivision 5.1 OxidizersDivision 5.2 Organic PeroxidesDivision 5.2 Organic Peroxides

Class 6 Toxic Materials and Infectious Class 6 Toxic Materials and Infectious SubstancesSubstances

Division 6.1 Toxic MaterialsDivision 6.1 Toxic MaterialsDivision 6.2 Infectious SubstancesDivision 6.2 Infectious Substances

Class 7 Radioactive MaterialsClass 7 Radioactive Materials

Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous GoodsClass 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Division 9.1 Miscellaneous Dangerous Division 9.1 Miscellaneous Dangerous GoodsGoods

Division 9.2 Environmentally Hazardous Division 9.2 Environmentally Hazardous SubstancesSubstances

Division 9.3 Dangerous WastesDivision 9.3 Dangerous Wastes

DangerDanger

Yellow Pages: lists by ID number Yellow Pages: lists by ID number provides guide numberprovides guide number

Blue Pages: lists alphabetically Blue Pages: lists alphabetically provides guide numberprovides guide number

Orange Pages: guides provide short term Orange Pages: guides provide short term emergency information emergency information 1st 10 minutes1st 10 minutes

Green Pages: initial isolation and protective action Green Pages: initial isolation and protective action distances distances requires immediate evacuationrequires immediate evacuation

DOT ERG 4-digit ID NumberDOT ERG 4-digit ID Number on the placard or orange panel on on the placard or orange panel on

bulk container bulk container » find it in the yellow pagesfind it in the yellow pages» refer to guide numberrefer to guide number

on the shipping papers on the shipping papers » find it in the yellow pagesfind it in the yellow pages» refer to guide numberrefer to guide number

on the package on the package » find it in the yellow pagesfind it in the yellow pages» refer to guide numberrefer to guide number

Shipping PaperShipping Paper

PlacardPlacard

DOT ERG Shipping NameDOT ERG Shipping Name on the shipping paperson the shipping papers

»find it in the blue pagesfind it in the blue pages»refer to guide numberrefer to guide number

on the packageon the package»find it in the blue pagesfind it in the blue pages»refer to guide numberrefer to guide number

DOT ERG - PlacardDOT ERG - Placard If you cannot locate the ID If you cannot locate the ID number or name number or name

Compare the placard to the Compare the placard to the table of placardstable of placards»refer to guide numberrefer to guide number

DOT ERGDOT ERGUnidentified HAZMATs:Unidentified HAZMATs:

If you cannot locate the ID If you cannot locate the ID number, shipping name, or a number, shipping name, or a placardplacard»turn to Guide 111turn to Guide 111

DOT ERG HighlightedDOT ERG HighlightedEntry highlighted in Entry highlighted in yellow

or or blue section section immediate evacuation immediate evacuation

requiredrequired»turn immediately to green turn immediately to green sectionsection

»evacuate accordinglyevacuate accordingly

SolidsSolids

Emergency Action CodeEmergency Action CodeDIGIT FIRE SUPPRESSANTFIRE SUPPRESSANT

1 COARSE WATER SPRAY (JETS)COARSE WATER SPRAY (JETS)

2 FINE WATER SPRAY (FOG)FINE WATER SPRAY (FOG)

3 FOAMFOAM

4 DRY AGENT (POWDER)DRY AGENT (POWDER)

Emergency Action CodeEmergency Action Code The digit 4 (dry Agent) is used for chemicals

that react adversely with water and so must not be allowed contact with it.

Any higher number may be used, but no lower number.

For example, a fire involving a substance with a recommended extinction agent of 2 could also be tackled with foam or a dry agent.

LettersLettersThe first letter of the EAC is selected

from eight possibilities, giving three bits of information regarding how to handle an accident.

LettersLettersLETTERLETTER V KIT SPILLAGE

P V LTS DILUTER - LTS DILUTESS V BA DILUTETT - BA DILUTEWW V LTS CONTAINXX - LTS CONTAINYY V BA CONTAINZZ - BA CONTAIN

V Means that the substance can react violently.

LTS means fire fighters must wear liquid-tight chemical protective suit in addition to breathing apparatus.

BA means that breating appratus is required but not a liquid-tight suite.

Dilute means that the chemical may be washed into drains with lots of water.

Contain means that the chemical must be

prevented from entering drains or watercourses.

The Letter EThe Letter EThe Optional Second Letter “E” The Optional Second Letter “E”

indicates that an incident poses a indicates that an incident poses a public hazard beyond the immediate public hazard beyond the immediate vicinity.vicinity.

In an accident involving such a chmical In an accident involving such a chmical the nearby populance may need to be the nearby populance may need to be evacuated, and if not should be warned evacuated, and if not should be warned to stay indoors with doors and to stay indoors with doors and windows closed. windows closed.

S, T, Y, AND ZS, T, Y, AND Z CAN ALSO BE REVERSED, THAT IS AN CAN ALSO BE REVERSED, THAT IS AN

ORANGE LETTER ON A BLACK SQUARE. ORANGE LETTER ON A BLACK SQUARE. THIS SIGNIFIES THAT BREATHING THIS SIGNIFIES THAT BREATHING APPARATUS NEED ONLY BE USED IN APPARATUS NEED ONLY BE USED IN THE CASE OF FIRE.THE CASE OF FIRE.

DOT ERG DOT ERG ExerciseExercise