HAZWOPER ERG Introduction
The Department of Transportation’s Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) was created to help firefighters, law enforcement officers, medical personnel, and other first responders quickly identify the hazards present at transportation emergencies involving hazardous materials in order to protect themselves and the public. The ERG contains indexed lists of hazardous materials, the general hazards each material presents, and recommended safety precautions for emergency incidents. It is used in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and several South American countries.
Request a demoCourse Details
Learning Objectives
• Explain the purpose of the U.S. DOT’s Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) • Define the terms “hazardous material” and “initial response period” • Describe the purpose and contents of the six color-coded sections of the ERG
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | U.S., Canada, and Mexico. 2016 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): U.S. DOT |
Key Questions
Who wrote the ERG, and who updates it?
The ERG was first issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1973, and the current principal authors represent the U.S. and Canada. The ERG is updated every four years through joint efforts of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Who uses the ERG, and why do they need it?
The ERG is used by law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and other emergency response personnel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and several South American countries. Its purpose is to help them protect themselves and the public during the “initial response phase” of an emergency.
What is the “initial response phase”?
It includes those first few minutes after emergency responders arrive at the scene. During this critical period, the presence and/or identification of hazardous materials is established, protective actions and area securement are initiated, and the assistance of qualified personnel is requested.
How does one begin to use the ERG?
The white section at the front contains instructions on how to use the ERG and other critical information needed to initiate a response. This section is designed to be consulted first.
How is the information organized in the ERG?
The ERG has six color-coded sections that are arranged roughly in the order they are accessed during an incident.
Sample Video Transcript
The ERG contains indexed lists of hazardous materials, the general hazards each material presents, and recommended safety precautions for emergency incidents involving these materials. If a law enforcement officer were to encounter an overturned tanker trailer displaying a hazardous material placard, they would use this guidebook to identify the hazardous material and determine the best initial response, until hazmat personnel are available. The ERG is updated every four years through joint efforts of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It is available for free to all public safety agencies in the U.S. in its printed form, online, or as a mobile application.
Demos + Pricing
Learn more about our courses, get pricing, and see our platform.
