Emergency Response Guidebook 2020 Version

In the U.S. the Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is responsible to update the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).

It is published every 4 years and the current version 2020 is still on way and anticipated to be available soon before September this year. [A free PDF version of the ERG 2016 is available online
at: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/ERG2016.pdf.]

The DOT’s section, 49 CFR 172.602, Emergency Response Information is cited here. It requires anyone who handles or transfers Hazardous Materials (HMs) or Dangerous Goods (DGs) to have emergency response information immediately available.

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The current updated version 2020 will help complying with this requirement. The ERG version 2020 is very helpful in shipping regulations. It is important to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the regulatory affairs while sharing information with the regulatory agencies and the team of experts that deal with relevant information related to HMs and DGs transportation of the global supply chains.

There are some current changes due to COVID-19 and updates from Transport Canada, US DOT, OSHA, and Health Canada that may have some impact on businesses between the U, S., and Canada.

The ERG contains emergency response information in form of a handbook used by emergency and hazardous materials incident responders such as truck drivers, railroad personnel, pipeline personnel, pilots, police and firefighters, other related personnel in the industrial sectors.

ERG is written and updated by 4 separate international agencies that will be available in English and in Spanish Versions soon. These international agencies are:

• 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

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The ERG is also very helpful in HAZWOPER training related to Hazardous Waste Management (HWM) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) refresher training while handling the emergency spills (small and large) to comply with the components of the emergency response of the waste management of HMs and HWs.

Some expected changes in the next version of ERG 2020:

The Orange Pages – An introductory page to better explain how to use the safety recommendations and emergency response information guides.

The White Pages – These have been reviewed for plain language, and sections will be added covering decontamination and rail tank cars Heat-Induced Tears (HIT).

The green pages – A visual tab has been added to show the differences between Tables 1, 2, and 3.

The glossary will include new terms and their definitions

A new cautionary inhalation toxicity statement is added to petroleum crude oil containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas UN1267 guide 128:

• Better illustrations will appear in the rail car and road trailer identifications charts
• It contains the most up-to-date emergency response information;
• It contains new shipping names and ID numbers, not in previous editions;
• It eliminates the hassle of checking previous editions for up-to-date response information for a shipment;
• It eliminates the worry of not having the correct response information;
• The new update of January 1, 2019, lithium battery marking has been added.

For better aligning with recent Model Regulations, all out-of-date UN numbers will be removed, and new ones will be added.

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After consultations with Canadian First Responders on the ERG should retain relevant chemical, biological, radiological nuclear (CBRN) content and the consensus was to maintain such information, however, the chemical warfare agents in the numerical and alphabetical lists will not be assigned UN numbers as they are not commercially transported. For further information on the final product of ERG, visit the web page of PHMSA at: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/erg/erg-2020.

For general information, instructions, recommendations or guidance related to a training program, contact PHMSA for the Training and Outreach Program/PHH-50, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590. Phone: 202-366-4900; Fax: 202-366-7342; e-mail at: Training@dot.gov.

Some of the names who use the ERG are Freight Facility and Warehouse personnel; Emergency Medical services personnel; Pipeline personnel; Maritime Personnel; Pilots and air freight handlers; Police, and Firefighters. These personnel can save lives if trained properly and how to use this book in emergencies.

ERG 2020 version will be available online in standard bound, full size, and spiral bounds from some of the well-known vendors like J.J Keller, Amazon and others. Contact J.J Keller phone # 1-877-564-2333. I hope this information will be helpful.

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