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ez Explanations

Emergency response information

RegSenseezExplanationPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), DOTHazmat SafetyBest ResultsFocus AreaShipping papers - HazmatEnglishEmergency response informationTransportationUSA

In a hazardous materials incident, time is of the essence. Emergency responders need quick and easy access to the details of the hazardous material involved to help keep everyone safe. This is why emergency response information is required along with the hazardous materials shipping paper for most hazardous materials shipments. This information provides responders with the information they need to appropriately respond to the incident.

Scope

Most hazardous material shipments that require shipping papers must also be accompanied by emergency response information. There are several ways the emergency response information can be provided with a shipping paper. The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is one possible way of providing this information.

Regulatory citations

Key definitions

  • Emergency response information: Information that can be used in the mitigation of an incident involving hazardous materials.
  • Shipping paper: A shipping order, bill of lading, manifest, or other shipping document serving a similar purpose and prepared in accordance with the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart C).

Summary of requirements

At minimum, the following emergency response information must be provided for each hazardous material in the shipment:

  • Basic description and technical name of the hazardous material,
  • Immediate hazards to health,
  • Risks of fire or explosion,
  • Immediate precautions to be taken in the event of an accident or incident,
  • Immediate methods for handling fires,
  • Initial methods for handling spills or leaks in the absence of fire, and
  • Preliminary first aid measures.

How this information is presented is up to the discretion of the shipper. The main concern is that the information is complete, printed legibly, and in English.

Acceptable methods. The most common methods for providing the required emergency response information include:

  • Listing it directly on the shipping papers.
  • Keeping a copy of the Emergency Response Guidebook with the shipping papers.
  • Keeping a copy of the appropriate guide pages from the Emergency Response Guidebook with the shipping papers. The materials basic description (and technical name(s), if any) must be included.
  • Keeping a copy of the material’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) with the shipping papers. The material’s basic description (and technical name(s), if any) must be included.
Exceptions. The emergency response information requirements do not apply to hazardous material that is excepted from the shipping paper requirements or a material properly classified as limited quantities.

See the following topics for related emergency response requirements:

['Shipping papers - Hazmat']
['Emergency response information']
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