May 27, 2008

2 Min Read
Emergency Response Guidebook for Hazardous Materials Emergencies

The first release of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) since 2004 is now available. The 2008 issue contains new information for first responders in the event of an incident involving hazardous materials. The Guidebook provides a consistent and standardized approach for handling hazardous materials emergencies. Labelmaster, a manufacturer of regulatory compliance products, is distributing the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook.

The 2008 ERG includes: over 50 amendments to proper shipping names and ID numbers (United Nations numbers); updated lists of hazardous materials; Lithium Ion batteries entry; Ethanol entries and identification numbers; the "Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distance Table" has been split into two tables to better facilitate initial incident response actions for emergencies involving TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazards).

The guidebook is the foundation of many emergency response plans and incident management systems. It provides a consistent and standardized approach for first responders in the event of an incident involving hazardous materials. It is intended to assist responders in managing the first 15-30 minutes of an emergency response, often the most critical moments. It provides crucial information concerning scene management and response procedures that can save lives and enhance public and environmental safety. 

The ERG is published in a user-friendly format and is divided into five sections that are color coded to maximize efficiency and ease of use. The goal of the U.S. Department of Transportation is for all public emergency responders to carry a copy of the ERG.

The ERG is developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico (SCT), and with the collaboration of CIQUIME (Centro de Informacion Quimica para Emergencias) of Argentina. The 2008 ERG represents the first publication since the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials programs were merged, so there will be new information introduced regarding pipeline markers.

The 2008 ERG is available as a book, on CD-ROM, or on USB flash drive. For questions regarding customization and personalization, contact Estuardo Sanchez at [email protected] or call 773-279-2286. For ordering information visit www.labelmaster.com/ERG, call 800-621-5808, or email [email protected].

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