The Emergency Response Guidebook, commonly referred to as the ERG, is primarily used for the initial response involving hazardous materials transported by highway and railway, but also used for materials transported by air, water, or by pipeline. It’s a guide to aid first responders in quickly identifying the hazards of the materials involved in a hazardous material incident and protecting themselves and the general public during the initial response phase.
Who publishes the ERG?
The ERG is a joint publication with input from four agencies:
- U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
- Transport Canada’s Canadian Transportation Emergency Centre (CANUTEC)
- Argentina’s Chemistry Information Center for Emergencies (CIQUIME)
- Mexico’s Secretariat of Communications and Transport
How often is the Emergency Response Guidebook published?
The Emergency Response Guidebook is updated every four years. The current edition is the 2016 ERG. We have detailed information about this version on our 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook training page. The 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook is expected to be released in the Spring of 2020.
How do you use the Emergency Response Guidebook?
Our 2016 ERG video provides a summary of how to use the Emergency Response Guidebook when responding to the scene of a hazardous incident. Remember – Resist Rushing In. Gather as much information as possible from a distance and revise your decision-making as more data becomes available.
Is there training for the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook
HazMat Solutions uses the ERG in their HazMat Training classes. We also provide helpful resources on our website. All of our resources will be updated with the 2020 ERG information when it becomes available. Want to be notified when it goes live? Sign up for notifications here!