Tool: Emergency Response Guidebook
This guide aims to support first responders in:
- quickly identifying the specific or generic hazards of the material(s) involved in the incident on a highway or railway
- protecting themselves and the general public during the initial response phase of the incident
- making initial decisions upon arriving at the scene of a dangerous goods incident
| SMC Category | Emergency preparedness and Response |
| Subcategories | Preparedness to Accidents and Emergencies, Response to accidents |
| SME Activity | Transportation to and from company |
| Resource Type | Online resource, Downloadable document |
| Author | Government agencies of Canada, Mexico, and USA |
| Company type | Industrial users of chemicals |
| Year | 2016 |
| Link(s) |
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/canutec/guide-menu-227.htm http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/3/erg-gmu/erg/ergmenu.aspx |
How to use it
Inputs
1) Material information:
- 4-digit UN ID numbers (YELLOW section), or
- Names of materials (BLUE section) or
- Placard or label, or
- Railcar or trailer type
2) Is material on fire? (Y/N)
Outputs
1) Recommended emergency response actions: 3-digit guide number (ORANGE section)
The entry in the respective guide number provides data such as: potential hazards (health, physical), public safety (protective clothing, evacuation), emergency response (e. g. fire, spill, first aid).
2) If material is Green (toxic by inhalation), table for:
- Evacuation distances (on fire)
- Isolation and protective action distances (not on fire)
- What to do if spilled in water
| Learning time | Short (<1h) |
| User expertise | Basic (no scientific/engineering background required/no business management experience required) |
| User-friendliness | Very user friendly |
| Advanced tool | No |
| Languages | English, Spanish, French |