Emergency Response Guide (ERG)
What is Step Two?
Identify 3-Digit Guide Number Use: -ID Number of Index in Yellow-bordered pages -Name of Material Index in Blue-bordered pages
Blue-bordered pages list chemicals how?
In alphabetical order of material name. This list displays the name of the material followed by its assigned emergency response guide and 4 digit ID number.
Yellow-bordered pages list chemicals how?
In numerical order of ID number. This list displays the 4-digit ID number followed by its assigned emergency response guide and the material name.
What does the "P" next to a Guide number signify?
Indicates that the material may undergo violent polymerization if subjected to heat or contamination
If a number is prefixed by the letter "X" what?
Indicates that the substance will react dangerously with water (ie, X88)
On intermodal containers, doubling of a digit indicates what?
Intensification of that particular hazard.
The Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances were compiled on hypothetical releases and based on the statistical sample of the ____ percentile were selected to appear in the Table.
90th
What is a TIH?
A gas or volatile liquid which is known to be so toxic to humans as to pose a hazard to health.
Where were the Toxicological short-term exposure guidelines gathered from?
AEGL-2 and ERPG-2 with AEGL-2 being the first choice
What are the Chemical warfare agents that fit into the exception per Table 1?
BZ, CX, GA, GB, GD, GF, HD, HL, HN1, HN2, HN3, L and VX.
Orange-bordered pages list chemical how?
By GUIDE NUMBER. This is the most important section of the guidebook, it is where all the safety recommendation are provided.
How are Hazard Classes of dangerous goods identified?
By its class or (division) number or name
What is the exception per Table 1?
Certain chemical warfare agents where a Small Spill(release) is up to 2 kg (4.4 lbs), and Large Spills 25 kg (55 lbs).
There are nine classes, what are the first 4?
Class 1 - Explosives Class 2 - Gases Class 3 - Flammable liquids (Combustible liquids) Class 4 - Flammable Solids; Spontaneously combustible materials; and Dangerous when wet materials/Water-reactive substances
What are the next four classes?
Class 5 - Oxidizing substances and Organic peroxides Class 6 - Toxic substances and Infectious substances Class 7 - Radioactive materials Class 8 - Corrosive substances
What is the last class in the Hazard Classification system?
Class 9 - Miscellaneous hazardous materials/Products, Substances or Organisms
Explosives are not listed individually by either shipping name or ID Number. But they appear under what and where?
"Explosives" on the first page of the ID Number index (yellow-bordered pages) and Alphabetically in the Name of Material index (Blue-bordered pages)
At what angle are horizontal cylinders predicted to be launched is it explodes?
45 degrees
What is Step One?
-Identify the Material: Identification Number(Placard, Orange Panel, Shipping Paper or Pagkage) -Name of Material : Shipping document or Package
The ERG is primarily designed for use where and where would it have limited value?
Dangerous goods incidents occurring on a highway or RR. Limited value in its application at fixed facility locations.
What is considered day and night per Table 1?
Day is periods after sunrise and before sunset, while Night includes all hours between sunset and sunrise.
Where is the hazard class or division number found?
Displayed in the lower corner of a placard and is required for both primary and subsidiary hazard classes and divisions, if applicable.
What does an Asterisk on an orange placard represent?
Explosives "Compatibility Group" Double Asterisks represent division of explosive
According to OSHA and the EPA who must be trained regarding the use of this guidebook?
FIRST RESPONDERS
What are the main hazards from a BLEVE?
Fire/thermal radiation from the fire/blast/projectiles
What is LC50?
Lethal Concentration 50 value of not more than 5000 ppm when tested on animals-toxic
What is considered a large spill according to the Green Tables in ERG?
More than 208 liters or 55 US gallons
If a suspected CBRN/Hazmat Terrorism Event how far away do you need to be to use radio's and phones?
Over 100 meters (300 feet)
Where do you turn if you have a container only?
Pages 8-9, Table of Rail Car and Road Trailer identification chart
What is covered in the three main sections of the orange-bordered sections?
Potential hazards, Public safety, Emergency response.
What is the furthest reaching hazard during a BLEVE?
Projectiles
What is an indication of a possible chemical incident?
Rapid onset of medical symptoms (minutes to hours) and easily observed signatures (colored residue, dead foliage, pungent odor, dead insects and animals)
When trying to identify rail cargo what should be used as a last resort?
Recommended Guides
What are the ways to minimize the amount of vapors escaping from pools of spilled liquids?
Special foams, adsorbing agents, absorbing agents, and neutralizing agents. Selected for the specific material involved.
According to the release amounts and emission rates of Table 1, what are considered small releases?
Spills that involve releases of approx. 208 liters for liquids (55 US gallons) and 300 kg for solids (660lbs)
What would cause radioluminescence?
Strongly radioactive material may emit or cause radioluminescence.
What does Table 1 in the Green-bordered pages consist of?
TIH materials listed by ID Number order
What does a zero following a digit indicate?
That the hazard can be adequately indicated by a single digit. Zero means it basically is singular (ie 30 means 3)
If Index highlighted in green what does it indicate?
That they are a Toxic Inhalation Hazard (TIH) material, a chemical warfare agent or a Dangerous Water Reactive Material (produces toxic gas upon contact with water)
What three factors should be considered when deciding to evacuate or shelter in place?
The Dangerous Goods involved, the population threatened, weather conditions.
What tables are the initial isolation and protective action distances in?
The Green tables
The Green-bordered pages contain how many Tables?
Three
Orange-bordered pages guides are divided into how many sections?
Three main sections.
If Placard is the only source of information what do you do?
Turn to pages 6-7 and use the 3-digit guide next to the placard and then Proceed to Numbered Guide in ORANGE-bordered pages
What is Step Three?
Turn to the numbered Guide (the orange-bordered pages) READ CAREFULLY
When will the most important and effective decontamination be done?
Within the first one or two minutes, then further decontamination using a 0.5% hypochlorite solution (1 part household bleach mixed with 9 parts water) If biological agents suspected leave on 10 to 15 minutes prior to rinsing
Are the distance increased at night and if so why or why not?
Yes, due to different mixing and dispersion conditions in the air. Air is calmer at night and materials disperse less creating a larger toxic zone.
How are biological Incidents identified?
characterized by the onset of symptoms in hours to days. Usually colorless and odorless. Because of the delayed onset of symptoms the area affected may be greater due to the movement of infected individuals.
