2004 Emergency response guidebook : a guidebook for first responders during the initial phase of a dangerous goods/hazardous materials incident

2004·11.2 MB·English

by  United States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Special Programs Administration

Emergency
2004
Response
Guidebook
A GUIDEBOOK FOR
FIRST RESPONDERS
DURING THE INITIAL PHASE
OF A DANGEROUS GOODS/
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INCIDENT
S
SHIPPING DOCUMENTS (PAPERS)*
The shipping document provides vital information when responding to a
hazardous materials/dangerous goods** incident. The shipping document
contains information needed to identify the materials involved. Use this
information to initiate protective actions for your own safety and the safety
of the public. The shipping document contains the proper shipping name
(see blue-bordered pages), the hazard class or division of the material(s),
ID number (see yellow-bordered pages), and, where appropriate, the
Packing Group. In addition, there must be information available that
deschbes the hazards of the material which can be used in the mitigation
of an incident. The information must be entered on or be with the shipping
document. This requirement may be satisfied by attaching a guide from the
ERG2004 to the shipping document, or by having the entire guidebook
available for ready reference. Shipping documents are required for most
dangerous goods in transportation. Shipping documents are kept in
• the cab of the motor vehicle,
• the possession of the train crew member,
• a holder on the bridge of a vessel, or
• an aircraft pilot's possession.
E.MERGENCYCONTACT EXAMPLKOKEMlRfiMENC Y
1-000-000-0000 RKSPONSK TKI.KPHONK MBER
HAZARDCLASS
NO &TYPE DESCRIPTIONOF OR DIVISION NO. QUANTITY
OFPACKAGES ARTICLES
1 TANKTRLCK .ISOPROPANOL ? ^LM2iq II^ :<.0()(l LITER—.
SHIPPINC; SAME IDNLMBER . p.\CKrs{;j;r()ip
EXAMPLE OF PLACARD AND PANEL WITH ID NUMBER
The 4-digit ID Number may be shown on the diamond-shaped placard or on
an adjacent orange panel displayed on the ends and sides of a cargo tank,
vehicle or rail car.
mE A Numbered or A Placard
FLAMMABLE
Placard and an
Orange Panel
1219
*Forlh«pu»poi»iofthisbook. th« hippingdocumartVshippingpaperare synonymous
For0MpurpoM*cHItiMbook.th« hazardousmalariata/dangarousgoodsare syTK>nymous
EMPLOYEE'S RECEIPT
acknowledge receipt of the 2004 Emergency Response
I
Guidebook (14-ORS-4), detailing emergency response
procedures prepared by the staff of Transport Canada,
the U.S. DepartmentofTransportation, and the Secretari-
at of Communication and Transport of Mexico.
EMPLOYEE'S SIGNATURE DATE
COMPANY
COMPANY SUPERVISOR'S SIGNATURE
NOTE: This receipt shall be read and signed by the
employee. A responsible company supervisor shall
countersign the receipt and place it in the em-
ployee's personnel file.

RESIST RUSHING IN
!
APPROACH INCIDENT FROM UPWIND
STAY CLEAR OF ALL SPILLS. VAPORS. FUMES AND SMOKE
TlOWTO USETHIS GUIDEBOOK DURING AN INCIDENT INVOLVING
^
DANGEROUSGOODS
IDENTIFY THE MATERIAL BY FINDING ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
I
THE 4-DIGIT ID NUMBER ON A PLACARD OR ORANGE PANEL
THE 4-DIGn" ID NUMBER (afler UN/NA) ON A SHIPPING DOCUMENT OR PACKAGE
THE NAME OFTHE MATERIAL ON ASHIPPING DOCUMENT, PLACARD OR PACKAGE
IF AN ID NUMBER OR THE NAME OF THE MATERIAL CANNOT BE FOUND, SKIP
TOTHE NOTES BELOW.
LOOK UP THE MATERIAL'S S^DIGIT GUIDE NUMBER IN EITHER:
I
THEIDNUMBERINDEX..(theyellow-borderedpagesoftheguidebook)
THENAMEOFMATERIALINDEX..(theblue-borderedpagesoftheguidebook)
Iftheguidenumberissupplementedwiththeletter"F,itindicatesthatthematerialmay
undergoviolentpolymerizationifsubjectedtoheatorcontamination.
Iftheryjexentryishighlighted(ineitheryeltoworblue),itisaTlH(ToxkInhalationHazard)material,
achemkalwarfereagentoraDangerousWaterReactiveMaterial(producestoxicgasuponcontact
withwater). LOOKFORTHEIDNUMBERANDNAMEOFTHEMATERIALINTHETABLE
OFINITIALISOLATIONANDPROTECTIVEACTIONDISTANCES(thegreen-borderedpages).
Then,ifnecessary, BEGINPROTECTIVEACTIONSIMMBDIATRY(seeProtectiveActionson
page298). Ifprotectiveactionisnotrequired,usetheinformationjointlywiththe3-digitguide.
USEGUIDE 112FORALLEXPLOSIVESEXCEPTFOREXPLOSIVES 1.4
(EXPLOSIVESC)WHEREGUIDE 114ISTOBECONSULTED.
TURNTOTHENUMBEREDGUIDE(theorange-borderedpages)ANDREADCAREFULLY
liOTES IF A NUMBERED GUIDE CANNOT BE OBTAINED BY FOLLOWING THE ABOVE
STEPS, AND A PLACARD CAN BE SEEN, LOCATE THE PLACARD IN THE TABLE
OF PLACARDS (pages 16-17), THEN GO TO THE 3-DIGIT GUIDE SHOWN NEXTTO
THE SAMPLE PLACARD.
IF A REFERENCE TO A GUIDE CANNOT BE FOUND AND THIS INCIDENT IS BELIEVED TO
INVOLVE DANGEROUS GOODS, TURN TO GUIDE 111 NOW, AND USE IT UNTILADDITIONAL
INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. Ifthe shipping document lists an emergency response
telephonenumber,callthatnumber. Iftheshippingdocumentisnotavailable,ornoemergencyresponse
telephonenumberislisted, IMMEDIATELYCALLtheappropriateemergencyresponseagencylisted
on ttie inside backcoverofthis guidebook. Provide as much information as possible, such as the
nameoftheearner(truckingcompanyorrailroad)andvehiclenumber. ASALASTRESORT,CONSULT
THETABLEOFRAILCARANDROADTRAILERIDENTIFICATIONCHART(pages 18-19). IFTHE
CONTAINER CAN BE IDENTIFIED, REMEMBER THAT THE INFORMATION ASSOCIATED
WITH THESE CONTAINERS IS FOR THE WORST CASE POSSIBLE.
Page
1
ERG20Q4 USER'S GUIDE
The2004 EmergencyResponseGuidebook(ERG2004)wasdevelopedjointlybyTransport
Canada(TC),theU.S. DepartmentofTransportation(DOT), theSeaetariatofTransportand
CommunicationsofMexico(SCT)andwiththecollaborationofCIQUIME(CentredeInfonmadofi
QuimicaparaEmergencias)ofArgentina,forusebyfirefighters, police,andotheremergency
services personnel who may be the first to amve at the scene ofa transportation incident
involving dangerous goods. It is primarily a guide to aid first responders in quickly
Identifying the specific or generic hazards of the material(s) involved in the incident,
and protecting themselves and the general public during the initial response phase
oftheincident Forthepurposesofthisguidebook,the"initialresponsephase"isthatperiod
followingamvalatthesceneofanincidentduringwhichthepresenceand/oridentificationof
dangerous goods is confirmed, protective actions and area securement are initiated, and
assistanceofqualifiedpersonnelisrequested. Itisnotintendedtoprovideinformationonthe
physicalorchemicalpropertiesofdangerousgoods.
Thisguidebookwillassistrespondersinmakinginitialdecisionsuponarrivingatthesceneofa
dangerousgoodsincident. Itshouldnotbeconsideredasasubstituteforemergencyresponse
training,knowledgeorsoundjudgment. ERG2004doesnotaddressallpossiblecircumstances
thatmaybeassociatedwithadangerousgoodsincident. Itisprimarilydesignedforuseata
dangerousgoods incidentoccuningona highwayorrailroad. Be mindfulthattheremaybe
limitedvalueinitsapplicationatfixedfacilitylocations.
ERG2004 incorporates dangerous goods lists from the most recent United Nations
Recommendationsaswellasfi^omotherinternationalandnationalregulations. Explosivesare
not listed individually by either proper shipping name or ID Number. They do, however,
appear under the general heading "Explosives" on the first page of the ID Number index
(yellow-bordered pages) and alphabetically in the Name of Material index (blue-bordered
pages). Also, the letter 'P" following the guide number in the yellow-bordered and blue-
borderedpagesidentifiesthosematerialswhichpresentapolymerizationhazardundercertain
conditions,forexample: Aaolein, stabilized 131P.
Firstrespondersatthesceneofadangerousgoodsincidentshouldseekadditionalspecific
informationaboutanymaterialinquestionassoonaspossible. Theinformationreceived by
contactingtheappropriateemergencyresponseagency,theemergencyresponsenumberon
the shipping document, or by consulting the information on or accompanying the shipping
documentmaybemorespecificandaccuratethanthisguidebookinprovidingguidanceforthe
matenalsinvolved.
BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THIS GUIDEBOOK BEFORE USING IT DURING AN
EMERGENCY! IntheU.S., accordingtotherequirementsoftheU.S. DepartmentofLabors
Occupational Safetyand HealthAdministration (OSHA, 29CFR 1910.120), and regulations
issuedbytheU.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA,40CFRPart311),firstresponders
mustbetrainedregardingtheuseofthisguidebook.
Page2
GUIDEBOOKCONTENTS
1-Yellow-bordered pages: Index listofdangerous goods in numerical orderofID number.
Thissection quicklyidentifiestheguideto beconsultedfrom the ID Numberofthe material
involved. This list displays the 4-digit ID number of the material follov^^ed by its assigned
emergencyresponseguideandthematerial name.
For example: ID No. GUIDE No. Name of Material
1090 127 Acetone
2-Blue-bordered pages: Index list of dangerous goods in alphabetical order of material
name. Thissectionquicklyidentifiestheguidetobeconsultedfromthenameofthematerial
involved. This list displays the name ofthe material follovi/ed by its assigned emergency
responseguideand4-digitIDnumber.
For example: Name of Material GUIDE No. ID No.
Sulfuricacid 137 1830
3-Orange-bofdefed pages: This section is the most important section of the guidebook
becauseitiswhereallsafetyrecommendationsareprovided. Itcomprisesatotalof62individual
guides, presented inatv\/o-pageformat. Eachguideprovidessafetyrecommendationsand
emergencyresponseinformationtoprotectyourselfandthepublic. Thelefthandpageprovides
safetyrelatedinfomiationwhereastherighthandpageprovidesemergencyresponseguidance
andactivitiesforfiresituations, spill orleakincidentsandfirstaid. Eachguideisdesignedto
coveragroupofmaterialsvi^ichpossesssimilarchemicalandtoxicologicalcharacteristics.
Theguidetitleidentifiesthegeneralhazardsofthedangerousgoodscovered.
For example: GUIDE 124-Gases-Toxicand/orCon-osive-Oxidizing.
Eachguideisdivided intothree main sections: thefirstsection describespotentialhazards
thatthematerialmaydisplayintermsoffire/explosionandhealtheffectsuponexposure. The
highestpotentialislistedfirst. Theemergencyrespondershouldconsultthissectionfirst. This
allowstherespondertomakedecisionsregardingtheprotectionoftheemergencyresponse
teamaswellasthesun^oundingpopulation.
Thesecondsectionoutlinessuggestedpublicsafetymeasuresbasedonthesituationathand. It
providesgeneralinformationregardingimmediateisolationoftheincidentsite,recommendedtypeof
protectivedothingandrespiratoryprotection. Suggestedevacuationdistancesarelistedforsmall
andlargespillsandforfiresituations(fragmentationhazard). Italsodirectsthereadertoconsultthe
tableslistingToxicInhalationHazardmaterials(TIH),chemicalwarfareagentsandwater-reactive
materials(green-borderedpages)whenthematerialnameishighlightedintheyeltow-borderedand
blue-borderedpages.
ThethirdsectioncoversemergefKyresponseactions, includingfirstaid. Itoutlinesspecial
precautionsforincidentswhichinvolvefire,spillorchemicalexposure. Severalrecommendations
arelistedundereachpartwhichwillfurtherassistinthedecisionmakingprocess. Theinformation
onfirstaidisgeneralguidancepriortoseekingmedicalcare.
Pages
4-Green-bordefed pages: This section contains a table which lists, by ID number, TIH
materials,indudingcertainchemicalwarfareagents,andwater-reactivematerialswhichproduce
toxicgasesuponcontactwithwater. Thetableprovidestwodifferenttypesofrecommended
safe distanceswhich are"Initial isolation distances" and "Protectiveaction distances.' The
materialsarehighlightedforeasyidentification in bothnumeric(yellow-borderedpages)and
alphabetic(blue-borderedpages)listsoftheguidebook. Thetableprovidesdistancesforboth
small (approximately2(X)litersorless)andlargespills(morethan200liters)forallhighlighted
materials. Thelistisfurthersubdividedintodaytimeandnighttimesituations. Thisisnecessary
duetovaryingatmosphericconditionswhichgreatlyaffectthesizeofthehazardousarea. The
distanceschangefromdaytimetonighttimeduetodifferentmixinganddispersionconditionsin
theair. Duringthenighttheairisgenerallycalmerandthiscausesthechemicaltodisperseless
andthereforecreateatoxicityzonewhichisgreaterthanwouldusuallyoccurduringtheday.
Duringtheday,thechemicalisgenerallydispersedbyamoreactiveatn>osphere. Thechemical
willbepresentinalargerarea: however,theactualareawheretoxiclevelsarereachedwillbe
smaller(duetoinaeaseddispersion). Itisthequantityorconcentrationofthechemicalvapor
thatposesproblemsnotitsmerepresence.
The"initial Isolation Distance'isadistancewithinwhichallpersonsshouldbeconsideredfor
evacuation in all directions from the actual spill/leak source. It is a distance (radius) which
defines a circle (Initial Isolation Zone) within which persons may be exposed to dangerous
concentrationsupwindofthesourceand maybeexposedtolifethreateningconcentrations
downwind ofthe source. Forexample, in the caseofCompressed gas, toxic, n.o.s., ID No.
1955, InhalationHazardZoneA,theisolationdistanceforsmallspillsis600meters,therefore,
representinganevacuationdrdeof1200metersindiameter.
Forthesamematerial,the"ProtectiveAction Distance'is5.9kilometersforadaytimeinddent
and 11.0+kilometersfora nighttimeinddent,thesedistancesrepresentadownwinddistance
fromthespill/leaksourcewithinwhich ProtectiveActionscouldbeimplemented. Protective
Actionsarethosestepstakentopreservethehealthandsafetyofemergencyrespondersand
the public. People in this area could be evacuated and/or sheltered in-place. For more
information, consult the INTRODUCTION TO THE TABLE OF INITIAL ISOLATION AND
PROTECTIVEACTION DISTANCES(pages295-296).
What is a TIH?
ItisagasorvolatileliquidwhichiskrxTwntobesotoxictohumansastoposeahazardtohealth
duringtransportation,orintheabsenceofadequatedataonhumantoxicity,ispresumedtobetoxic
tohumansbecausewhentestedonlaboratoryanimalsithasanLC50valueofnotmorethan5000
ppm.
Itisimportanttonotethateventhoughthetermzoneisused,thehazardzonesdonotrepresent
anyactualareaordistance. TheassignmentofthezonesisstrictlyafunctionoftheirLethal
Concentration 50(LC50): forexample.TIH ZoneAismoretoxicthanZone D. All distances
whk^arelistedinthegreen-borderedpagesarecalculatedbytheuseofmathemat)calmodels
foreachTIHmaterial.
Page4
Assignment of hazard zones:
HAZARD ZONE A: Gases: LC50 ofless than orequal to 200 ppm,
Liquids: V equal toorgreaterthan 500 LC50 and LC50 lessthan or
equalto200 ppm,
HAZARD ZONE B: Gases: LC50 greaterthan 200 ppm and lessthan orequal to 1000 ppm,
Liquids: V equal to orgreaterthan 10 LC50; LC50 less than orequal to
1000 ppm and criteriaforHazard ZoneAare notmet,
HAZARDZONE C: LC50greaterthan 1000 ppmand lessthanorequal to3000 ppm,
HAZARD ZONE D: LC50greaterthan 3000 ppmand lessthanorequalto5000ppm.
ISOLATION AND EVACUATION DISTANCES
Isolation orevacuation distances are shown in the guides (orange-bordered pages) and in the
Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances (green-bordered pages). This may
confuse users not thoroughly familiar with ERG2004.
Itis importantto note that some guides referonlyto non-TIH materials (36guides), some refer
to both TIM and non-TIH materials (21 guides) and some (5 guides) referonlyto TIH orWater-
reactive materials (WRM). A guide refers to both TIH and non-TIH materials (for example see
GUIDE 131) when the following sentence appears underthetitle EVACUATION-Spill: "See the
Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for highlighted substances. For non-
highlightedsubstances, increase, inthedownwinddirection, asnecessary,theisolationdistance
shown under PUBLIC SAFETY." A guide refers only to TIH or WRM materials (for example
see GUIDE 124) when the following sentence appears under the title EVACUATION-Spill:
"SeetheTableofInitial Isolation and ProtectiveAction Distances". Ifthe previous sentences do
not appear in a guide, then this particular guide refers only to non-TIH materials (for example
see GUIDE 128).
In orderto identify appropriate isolation and protective action distances, use the following:
Ifyou are dealing with a TIH/WRM/Chemical warfare material (highlighted entries in the index
lists), the isolation and evacuation distances are found directly in the green-bordered pages.
The guides (orange-bordered pages) also remind the user to refer to the green-bordered
pages for evacuation specific information involving highlighted materials.
If you are dealing with a non-TIH material but the guide refers to both TIH and non-TIH
materials, an immediate isolation distance is provided underthe heading PUBLIC SAFETY as
a precautionary measure to prevent injuries. It applies to the non-TIH materials only. In
addition, forevacuation purposes, theguide informsthe userunderthetitle EVACUATION-Spill
toincrease,fornon-highlightedsubstances, inthedownwinddirection, ifnecessary,theimmediate
isolation distance listed under "PUBLIC SAFETY". For example, GUIDE 131 - Flammable
Liquids-Toxic, instructs the user to: "As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or
leakarea foratleast50 meters (150feet) in all directions." In case ofa large spill, the isolation
area could be expanded from 50 meters to a distance deemed as safe by the On-scene-
commander and emergency responders.
If you are dealing with a non-TIH material and the guide refers only to non-TIH materials,
the immediate isolation and evacuation distances are specified as actual distances in theguide
(orange-bordered pages) and are not referenced in the green-bordered pages.
Pages
SAFETYPRECAUTIONS
APPROACH CAUTIOUSLY FROM UPWIND. Resistthe urge to rush in; otherscannotbe
helpeduntilthesituationhasbeenfullyassessed.
SECURETHE SCENE. Withoutentering the immediate hazard area, isolate the area and
assurethesafetyofpeopleandtheenvironment,keeppeopleawayfromthesceneandoutside
thesafetyperimeter. Allowenoughroomtomoveandremoveyourownequipment.
IDENTIFYTHEHAZARDS. Placards, containerlabels, shippingdocuments, materialsafety
datasheets. RailCarandRoadTrailerIdentificationCharts,and/orknowledgeablepersonson
thescenearevaluableinfonnationsources. Evaluateallavailableinfomiationandconsultthe
recommended guide to reduce immediate risks. Additional information, provided by the
shipper or obtained from another authoritative source, may change some of the
emphasis or details found in the guide. Remember, the guide provides only the most
importantandworstcasescenarioinformationfortheinitialresponseinrelationtoafamilyor
dassofdangerousgoods. Asmorematenal-specificinfonnationbecomesavailable,theresponse
shouldbetailoredtothesituation.
ASSESSTHESITUATION. Considerttiefollowing:
Isthereafire, aspillora leak?
Whataretheweatherconditions?
Whatistiieten-ainlike?
Who/whatisatrisk:people, propertyortheenvironment?
Whatactionsshouldbetaken: Isanevacuationnecessary? Isdiking
necessary?Whatresources(humanandequipment)arerequiredand
arereadilyavailable?
Whatcanbedoneimmediately?
OBTAINHELP. Adviseyourheadquarterstonotifyresponsibleagenciesandcallforassistance
fromqualifiedpersonnel.
DECIDE ON SITE ENTRY. Any efforts made to rescue persons, protect property or the
environmentmustbeweighedagainstthepossibilitythatyoucoukjbecomepartoftheproblem.
Entertt>eareaonlywhenwearingappropriateprotectivegear(seePROTECTIVECLOTHING,
page 350).
RESPOND. Respond in an appropriate manner. Establish a command post and lines of
communication. Rescuecasualtieswherepossibleandevacuateifnecessary. Maintaincontrol
ofthesite. Continuallyreassessthesituationand modifytheresponseaccordingly. Thefirst
dutyistoconsiderthesafetyofpeopleintheimmediatearea, includingyourown.
—
ABOVEALL Donotwalkintoortouchspilledmatenal. Avoidinhalationoffumes,snxjkeand
vapors, evenifnodangerousgoodsareknowntobeinvolved. Donotassumethatgasesor
vaporsareharmlessbecauseoflackofa smell—odoriessgasesorvapors maybehannful.
UseCALmONwhen handlingemptycontainersbecausetheymaystillpresenthazardsuntil
theyarecleanedandpurgedofallresidues.
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