2024 Emergency Response Guidebook

	A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Response Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident.
	Helps satisfy the 49 CFR 172.602 requirement that hazardous materials shipping papers have on them or be accompanied by emergency response information. Just print out the needed pages, include the materials basic description (and technical name(s), if any), and keep them with the shipping papers.

	How to use the Guidebook

Use the indexes below to quickly locate the information you need.

Identification number index (yellow pages)

For a quick search, click on the range of numbers that include the ID number of your material.

View the index key.

Material name index (blue pages)

For a quick search, click on the first letter of the name of the material. If the name begins with a prefix (e.g., n-, sec-, tert-, N-, etc.) go to the first letter after the prefix (e.g., tert-Butyl hypochlorite would be listed under 'B'). If the name begins with a number (e.g., 2-Amino-4-chlorophenol)) go to the first letter after the number.

View the index key.

Guide number index (orange pages)

Initial isolation and protective action distances (green pages)

These documents are in PDF format. In order to view them, you must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ installed on your computer. If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed, you can download it from the Adobe website.

Introduction to Green Tables - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances

How to Use Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances

Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances

How to Use Table 2 - Water - Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic Gases

Table 2 - Water - Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic Gases

How to Use Table 3 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for Different Quantities of Six Common TIH Gases

Table 3 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for Different Quantities of Six Common TIH Gases

Additional information (white pages)

Shipping Documents (Papers)

Safety Precautions

Notification and Request for Technical Information

Hazard Classification System

Introduction to the Table of Markings, Labels, and Placards

Table of Markings, Labels, and Placards

Rail Car Identification Chart

Road Trailer Identification Chart

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

Hazard Identification Numbers Displayed on Some Intermodal Containers

Pipeline Transportation

Protective Clothing

Fire and Spill Control

BLEVE — Safety Precautions

Criminal/Terrorist Use of Chemical/Biological/Radiological Agents

Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

Glossary

Emergency Response Telephone Numbers

Local Emergency Telephone Numbers Form

Index key

If there is an X in the TIH column, click on it to view the relevant page in the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances (Table 1) for that material.

If there is a W in the WR column, click on it to view the relevant page in the Table of Water-Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic Gases (Table 2). Some material names have both X and W next to them. In these instances, Table 1 has two entries, one for land-based spills and the other for water-based spills. If W appears next to the material name and X does NOT, and the material is NOT spilled in water, then W does not apply and safety distances will be found in the appropriate orange guide pages.

If there is a Z in the CB column, click on it to view the relevant page in the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances (Table 1) for that material.

For entries with a X, W, or Z link follow these steps:

IF THERE IS NO FIRE:
- Click on X, W, or Z to go directly to the relevant page
- Look up the ID number and name of material
- Identify initial isolation and protective action distances
IF THERE IS A FIRE or A FIRE IS INVOLVED:
- Also consult the assigned orange guide
- If applicable, apply the evacuation information shown under PUBLIC SAFETY

The letter P following some guide numbers indicates that the material may undergo violent polymerization if subjected to heat or contamination.

View the Identification Number Index.

View the Material Name Index.

Access full ERG Guidebook versions (pdf) in English, Spanish, and French.