The 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook is out. Let's find out what's new in this year's edition!

First and foremost, it's crucial to understand the pivotal role of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) in the initial phase of a hazardous materials transportation incident. This guide, tailored for emergency responders like firefighters, police, HAZMAT, and SAR personnel, is vital during critical moments involving dangerous goods.

It is primarily a guide to assist first responders to quickly:

• Identify the specific or generic hazards of the materials involved in the transportation incident.
• Protect themselves and the general public during the initial phase of the incident.

The ERG also contains valuable information on:

• Potential hazards of dangerous goods.
• Public safety measures.
• Emergency response actions.

The ERG is updated every four years to incorporate new dangerous goods and knowledge gained from emergency incidents. The new ERG2024 includes the list of hazardous goods from the most recent edition of the United Nations Recommendations and other national and international regulations.

So, what′s new?

Here, you will find all the information about the changes incorporated in each section of the ERG2024.

In addition to the changes listed here, all subsections have been reviewed for greater accuracy and consistency. In this version, QR codes have been added to the back cover of the printed copy of the ERG2024 to help users access critical incident notification information more quickly.

The White Section

Initial Subsection

• In the table of marks, labels, and placards, designs that do not comply with current standards were removed, such as the triangular marine pollutant mark and the completely yellow label for Division 5.2.
• The tables for identifying trailers and railroad cars have included new descriptive texts and new configurations/types of vehicles, such as a cryogenic wagon.
• The Hazard Identification Numbers in intermodal containers were updated, where a note was added about replacing the hazard identification number with the division number and compatibility group for Class 1 materials.

Middle Subsection

• A table was added to help decide whether evacuation or shelter-in-place is the best option.

Final Subsection

• A section on liquid spill control methods was added, including guidance on the types and uses of absorbent materials.
• Considerations for lithium battery and electric vehicle (EV) fires were added, including identification of damaged, defective, and recalled (DDR) lithium batteries.
• An updated BLEVE table with precise conversions (metric to standard).
• The section on Initial actions to consider in a possible CBRN/terrorism event was moved and expanded, with new recommendations for evacuation and requesting specialized resources.
• A new section on Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents was added, including:

Table of biological warfare agents, a Table of chemical warfare agents, and a Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.

• In the Glossary, numerous definitions have been revised and expanded, such as:

Air reactive, Biological agents, Combustible, Control Temperature, Criticality Safety Index (CSI), Evacuate, Isolate, Self-heating material, Spontaneously combustible material, Thermal runaway, Water insoluble, Water soluble, and Differentiation between Solid Current or Direct Current.

Yellow and Blue Sections

• Eleven (11) new UN numbers were added, which are listed in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (up to the 23rd revised edition) and were assigned to the following guides:

• Materials were re-evaluated to ensure they were assigned to the appropriate Orange guide. Nineteen (19) materials were moved to a different guide:

• The following obsolete UN numbers were removed:

UN1014 - Carbon dioxide and oxygen mixture, compressed

UN1015 - Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide mixture

UN1366 - Diethylzinc

UN1370 - Dimethylzinc

UN2005 - Diphenylmagnesium

UN3051 - Aluminum alkyls

UN3053 - Magnesium alkyls

UN3076 - Aluminum alkyl hydrides

• Chemical Warfare Agents were removed from the Search by Name or UN Number (they have been incorporated into the reference material Criminal or Terrorist Use of Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Agents).
• The polymerization hazard (P) was added to UN3302 - 2-Dimethylaminoethyl acrylate stabilized.

Orange Section

• Guide 115: A precautionary statement was added for liquefied natural gas (LNG) released on or near water; the product may explosively vaporize.
• Guides 118, 136: Reference to Table 1 was added for highlighted materials.
• Guides 128, 130: Reference to alcohol-resistant foam was added in fire response recommendations.
• Guide 131: Potential Health Hazard added: "Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye/lachrymatory irritant (causes tear flow)."
• Guides 138, 159: Reference to Table 1 was removed.
• Guide 140: Recommendations for ammonium nitrate products were expanded.
• Guide 147: Recommendations for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires were revised, and additional guidance for electric vehicle (EV) fires was added. It also includes sodium-ion batteries.
• Guide 151: Recommendations for spills of solid materials were added.
• Guide 153: Potential Health Hazard added: "Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye/lachrymatory irritant (causes tear flow)."
• Guide 156: The following recommendation was added: "For Acetyl bromide (UN1716), use only CO2 or dry chemical."
• Guide 166: Potential Health Hazard added: "Toxic; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin." Recommendations for Large Fires were revised.
• Guide 171: A precautionary statement was added for delayed activation and projectile risk of safety devices (UN3268) and fire extinguishing agent dispersing devices (UN3559).

Green Section

Table 1

• Chemical warfare agents were removed and incorporated into the Criminal or Terrorist Use of Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Agents section.
• Distances were revised.
• There are no new entries resulting from new UN numbers.

Table 3

• Distances were revised.

In a Nutshell...

The Emergency Response Guidebook 2024 (ERG2024) presents essential updates to improve the response to hazardous materials incidents. Among the most notable changes are:

1. Add QR codes on the back cover to quickly access critical information.
2. Update of tables and markings to comply with current standards.
3. A new table to decide between evacuation or shelter-in-place.
4. Expanded guidance on liquid spills and fires involving lithium batteries and electric vehicles.
5. New section on chemical and biological warfare agents.
6. Incorporation of 11 new UN numbers and reassignment of 19 materials to different guides.
7. Revision of key definitions in the glossary.
8. Various guides in the orange section have been updated to improve response recommendations.

These improvements reflect the latest advances in hazardous materials management and aim to provide first responders with more accurate and up-to-date information to effectively and safely address emergencies.

Did you know that you can download the digital ERG2024?

Please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation's website: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/erg/emergency-response-guidebook-erg