Using the Emergency Response Guidebook

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Using the Emergency Using the Emergency Response GuidebookResponse Guidebook

First Responders Training

09/01/072

What is the DOT ERG?What is the DOT ERG?

The Dept. of Transportation produces the Emergency Response Guidebook as an aid to first responders in managing and controlling hazardous materials releases.

This review session will provide training on the following:– The purpose of the Guidebook– Functional sections and organization of the book– Review of Placard configurations and meanings– A written identification exercise

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AgendaAgenda

Introduction to the DOT/ERG Changes, additions, deletions in entries. Practical use of the ERG. A functional exercise in using the ERG to

conduct an initial response to a hazardous materials release.

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Overview Overview

The 2004 edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook is the most current edition available.

The text is published on a four year cycle by the Dept. of Transportation.

An incident can be run using any edition of the Guide, as long as all responders are advised what edition the Incident Commander is using.

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VocabularyVocabulary

Blister agent -Substances that cause blistering of the skin. Exposure is through liquid or vapor contact with any exposed tissue (eyes, skin, lungs). Mustard (H), Distilled Mustard (HD), Nitrogen Mustard (HN) and Lewisite (L) are blister agents. Symptoms: Red eyes, skin irritation, burning of skin, blisters, upper respiratory damage, cough, hoarseness.

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Blood agent -Substances that injure a person by interfering with cell respiration (the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and tissues). Hydrogen cyanide (AC) and Cyanogen chloride (CK) are blood agents. Symptoms: Respiratory distress, headache, unresponsiveness, seizures, coma.

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Choking Agents - Substances that cause physical injury to the lungs. Exposure is through inhalation. In extreme cases, membranes swell and lungs become filled with liquid (pulmonary edema). Death results from lack of oxygen; hence, the victim is “choked”. Phosgene (CG) is a choking agent. Symptoms: irritation to eyes/nose/throat, respiratory distress, nausea and vomiting, burning of exposed skin.

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VocabularyVocabulary Decontamination –

The removal of dangerous goods from personnel and equipment to the extent necessary to prevent potential adverse health effects. Always avoid direct or indirect contact with dangerous goods; however, if contact occurs, personnel should be decontaminated as soon as possible. Since the methods used to decontaminate personnel and equipment differ from one chemical to another, contact the chemical manufacturer, through the agencies listed on the inside back cover, to determine the appropriate procedure.

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VocabularyVocabulary Decontamination –

Contaminated clothing and equipment should be removed after use and stored in a controlled area (warm/contamination reduction/limited access zone) until cleanup procedures can be initiated. In some cases, protective clothing and equipment cannot be decontaminated and must be disposed of in a proper manner.

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Hazard zones (Page 4 of ERG) (Inhalation Hazard Zones): – HAZARD ZONE A: LC50 of less than or

equal to 200 ppm, – HAZARD ZONE B: LC50 greater than 200

ppm and less than or equal to 1000 ppm,– HAZARD ZONE C: LC50 greater than 1000

ppm and less than or equal to 3000 ppm,– HAZARD ZONE D: LC50 greater than 3000

ppm and less than or equal to 5000 ppm. LC stands for Lethal Concentration.

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Nerve agents - Substances that interfere with the central nervous system. Exposure is primarily through contact with the liquid (via skin and eyes) and secondarily through inhalation of the vapor. Tabun (GA), Sarin (GB), Soman (GD) and VX are nerve agents. Symptoms: Pinpoint pupils, extreme headache, severe tightness in the chest, dyspnea, runny nose, coughing, salivation, unresponsiveness, seizures.

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Hazardous Materials Spills –– Small Spill: generally greater than 55 gallons,

200 pounds, or 200 cubic feet of a gas.– Large spill: generally greater than 4000 gallons,

34,000 pounds, or 10,000 cubic feet of a gas. For marine pollutants –

– A reportable spill is anything greater than 450 liters (119 gallons) or 400 kg (882 pounds)

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P -The letter “P” following a guide number in the yellow-bordered and blue-bordered pages identifies a material which may polymerize violently under high temperature conditions or contamination with other products. This polymerization will produce heat and high pressure buildup in containers which may explode or rupture.

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Polymerization This term describes a chemical reaction which is generally associated with the production of plastic substances. Basically, the individual molecules of the chemical (liquid or gas) react with each other to produce what can be described as a long chain. These chains can be formed in many useful applications. A well known example is the styrofoam (polystyrene) coffee cup which is formed when liquid molecules of styrene react with each other or polymerize forming a solid, therefore changing the name from styrene to polystyrene (poly means many).

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PIH - Poison Inhalation Hazard. Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. (Same as TIH)

TIH - Toxic Inhalation Hazard. Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. (Same as PIH)

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Vapor density - Weight of a volume of pure vapor or gas (with no air present) compared to the weight of an equal volume of dry air at the same temperature and pressure. A vapor density less than 1 (one) indicates that the vapor is lighter than air and will tend to rise. A vapor density greater than 1 (one) indicates that the vapor is heavier than air and may travel along the ground.

Vapor pressure - Pressure at which a liquid and its vapor are in equilibrium at a given temperature. Liquids with high vapor pressures evaporate rapidly.

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Introduction to the DOT/ERGIntroduction to the DOT/ERG The Emergency Response

Guidebook is designed to provide first responders to an incident with guidelines for initial action.

It is intended to provide assistance in the decision process.

Although primarily for transportation incidents, the ERG can be used for many hazardous releases.

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Introduction to the DOT/ERGIntroduction to the DOT/ERG Using the ERG, it is

possible to establish protective measures, appropriate response reactions, and evacuation or isolation distances.

You can also consult the ERG for:– Initial isolation– Incompatibles– Large spill response– Small spill response

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Changes to the 2004 ERGChanges to the 2004 ERG

The 2004 ERG differs from the 2000 ERG in the following :– Index List of Dangerous Goods in Order of ID

Number (YELLOW-bordered pages)– The Index List of Dangerous Goods in

Alphabetical Order (Blue-bordered pages)– Deletion of old organic peroxide names– Deletion of pre-1995 United States NA

numbers– Deletion of all Canadian NA numbers

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The 2004 ERG differs from the 2000 ERG in the following :– Addition of all new dangerous goods listed in UN– Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous

Goods (12th and 13th revised editions)– Reassignment of certain materials to a different

guide– Guide 147, which treated information under the

old organic peroxide heading, is presently “dormant,” due to deletion of organic peroxide names. These pages have been left intentionally blank in the 2004 edition of the Guidebook.

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The 2004 ERG differs from the 2000 ERG in the following :– Addition of materials to both tables in Initial

Isolation and Protective Action Distances, and the Table of Water-Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic Gases (Green bordered pages)

– Tune-up of initial isolation and protective action distances

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Practical Use of the 2004 ERGPractical Use of the 2004 ERG The Emergency Response Guidebook is

organized into 5 separate components – 4 color bordered sections, and non-bordered white pages.– The four color bordered sections are:

Yellow – listing commodities in ascending numerical order by their ID numbers.

Blue – listing commodities in alphabetical order. Orange – the detailed guide pages, which direct

response actions, protective distances, ect. Green – listing, among other things, the Table of

Initial Isolation Distances.

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Color Border ERG PagesColor Border ERG Pages

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ERG White PagesERG White Pages

An example of the information provided in the white page section of the ERG.

This is Page One, and actually explains in detail how to use the Guidebook to run a hazardous materials response.

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ERG White PagesERG White Pages

An additional example of “white page” information.

This is Page Two, and provides overview information on the exact nature of the ERG, it’s intended application and limitations.

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Emergency Response Emergency Response Guidebook ExercisesGuidebook Exercises

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Using the Emergency Response Using the Emergency Response Guidebook, look up the Guidebook, look up the

following:following:• Fluorobenzene

•ID 2809

•Sodium Peroxide

•ID 2032

•Propane

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Find:Find:

• Guide Number or name of material

• Protective Clothing Necessary

• Recommended isolation distance for a large spill

• Primary hazard of material

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SummarySummary

We’ve talked about the following:– What the Emergency

Response Guidebook is.

– Changes to the Guidebook

– The practical use of the ERG

– Functional exercises

Use the ERG when responding to an emergency.

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Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information

You can find the 2004 ERG at the following internet page, along with the summary of changes from the 2000 ERG.

http://hazmat.dot.gov/pubs/erg/gydebook.htm

Using the Emergency Response Guidebook

Business

exposed skin

skin irritation

hazard zone b

hazard zone c

erg inhalation hazard

dot erg

respiratory distress

lc50 greater