BEFORE AN EMERGENCY - BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THIS GUIDEBOOK! 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.

RESIST RUSHING IN !
APPROACH INCIDENT FROM UPWIND
STAY CLEAR OF ALL SPILLS, VAPORS, FUMES, SMOKE AND SUSPICIOUS SOURCES

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDEBOOK DURING AN INCIDENT INVOLVING
DANGEROUS GOODS

STEP ONE: IDENTIFY THE MATERIAL. USE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (4-DIGIT ID) FROM A PLACARD, ORANGE PANEL, SHIPPING PAPER OR PACKAGE (after UN/NA)
• NAME OF THE MATERIAL FROM A SHIPPING DOCUMENT OR PACKAGE

STEP TWO: IDENTIFY 3-DIGIT GUIDE NUMBER USE:

• ID NUMBER INDEX in yellow-bordered pages or
• NAME OF MATERIAL INDEX in blue-bordered pages

Guide number supplemented with the letter “P” indicates that the material may undergo violent polymerization if subjected to heat or contamination.

INDEX ENTRIES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN are TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) material, a chemical warfare agent or a Dangerous Water Reactive Material (produces toxic gas upon contact with water).

IDENTIFY ID NUMBER AND NAME OF MATERIAL IN TABLE 1 - INITIAL ISOLATION AND PROTECTIVE ACTION DISTANCES (the green-bordered pages). IF NECESSARY, BEGIN PROTECTIVE ACTIONS IMMEDIATELY (see Protective Actions page 296). If no protective action required, use the information jointly with the 3-digit guide.

STEP THREE: TURN TO THE NUMBERED GUIDE (the orange-bordered pages) READ CAREFULLY.

USE GUIDE 112 FOR ALL EXPLOSIVES EXCEPT FOR EXPLOSIVES 1.4

(EXPLOSIVES C) WHERE GUIDE 114 IS TO BE CONSULTED.

NOTE: IF ABOVE STEPS CANNOT BE COMPLETED AND PLACARD IS VISIBLE: Turn to pages 16-17; use 3-digit guide next to placard; PROCEED TO NUMBERED GUIDE (orange-bordered pages). If shipping document is available, call emergency response telephone number listed. If document or emergency response telephone is not available, IMMEDIATELY CALL the appropriate emergency response agency listed in the back of this guidebook. Provide as much information as possible, such as the name of the carrier (trucking company or railroad) and vehicule number. IF A REFERENCE TO A GUIDE CANNOT BE FOUND AND THIS INCIDENT IS BELIEVED TO INVOLVE DANGEROUS GOODS, TURN TO GUIDE 111 NOW, AND USE IT UNTIL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

AS A LAST RESORT: IF ONLY THE CONTAINER CAN BE IDENTIFIED, CONSULT THE TABLE OF RAIL CAR AND ROAD TRAILER IDENTIFICATION CHART (pages 18-19). REMEMBER THAT THE INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THESE CONTAINERS IS FOR WORST CASE SCENARIOS.