Comments Solicited for PHMSA’s Development of ERG2012 for Emergency Responders

If you or your business uses the Emergency Response Guidebook 2008 for first responder training and application, this is an important update. The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is currently soliciting comments towards their development of the 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook.

What is the ERG?

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is developed jointly by Transport Canada (TC), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Secretariat of Transport and Communications of Mexico (SCT) and with the collaboration of CIQUIME (Centro de Información Química para Emergencias) of Argentina, for use by fire fighters, police, and other emergency services personnel who arrive at the scene of a transportation incident involving dangerous goods. The ERG is 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 of the incident

Regulations around ERG

In the U.S., according to the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.120), and regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 40 CFR Part 311), first responders must be trained regarding the use of this guidebook.

Solicitation of Comments for ERG2012

PHMSA is soliciting comments for improvement on the ERG2008 toward developing the ERG 2012 guidebook, which will supersede ERG 2008. This guidebook is updated every four years. The development of the ERG2012 is a joint effort involving the transportation agencies of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Questions PHMSA is asking users

Some of the questions that PHMSA would like answered from users are:

1. In what way(s) does the ERG achieve its purpose to aid first responders in quickly identifying the specific or generic hazards of the materials(s) involved in the incident, and protecting themselves and the general public during the initial response phase of the incident?

2. How can the ERG be made more user-friendly for emergency responders? Please provide examples.

3. In what way(s) can the pictures, pictograms, and symbols shown in the ERG be used more effectively and efficiently?

4. What format(s) of the ERG are being used (hardcopy, electronic, on-line, etc.) and why?

5. How often is the ERG used in a hazmat emergency?

6. Is the most useful information emphasized effectively in the ERG2008 for its intended purpose?

There are a total of 16 questions provided by PHMSA to ERG users and the full list of questions can be found at:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-18134.htm

Comments must be received by 21 September 2010. The point of contact is Suzette Paes, Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training (PHH-50), PHMSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Tel: 202-366-4900, e-mail: suzette.paes@dot.gov.

Note: This information was provided in part by The Environmental Resource Center.

Compiled by JeanMarie Calvillo, Ph.D., Safetec Regulatory Specialist