The Emergency Response Guidebook, updated for 2012, was recently released for publication and is now widely available. If you rely on the ERG as a source of information in an emergency or use it as a training tool as I do, you should be aware of the differences in the 2012 version from the 2008. These are summarized below.
The cover has been updated but retains its distinctive orange color.
Several sections of general information (the white pages) have been moved from the front to the back.
Sections have been expanded and/or revised, including:
- Shipping Documents (Papers).
- How to Use this Guidebook during an Incident.
- User’s Guide.
- Isolation and Evacuation Distances.
- Who to Call for Assistance.
- Table of Placards and Initial Response Guide to Use On-Scene.
- Rail Car Identification Chart.
- Road Trailer Identification Chart.
- Fire and Spill Control.
- Pipeline Safety Information.
- Criminal/Terrorist Use of Chemical/Biological/Radiological Agents.
- Glossary.
- Publication Data (and related information).
- Emergency Response Telephone Numbers.
New Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials have been added to the YELLOW bordered pages (Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials listed by Identification Number) and BLUE bordered pages (Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials listed by Proper Shipping Name).
Emergency response information for some dangerous goods/hazardous materials in the ORANGE bordered pages have been revised.
The following changes to the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances and the Table of Water-Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic Gases (the Green-bordered pages):
- Added Table 3 for six gases which are toxic by inhalation.
- Revised some of the Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
Added a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) Chart to Fire and Spill Control Section.
Added an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Safe Standoff distances Chart to Criminal Terrorist Section.
Check out the PHMSA website for more information about the 2012 ERG.