The shipping document provides vital information when responding to a hazardous materials/dangerous goods** incident. The shipping document contains information needed to identify the materials involved. Use this information to initiate protective actions for your own safety and the safety of the public. The shipping document contains the 4-digit ID number (see yellow-bordered pages) preceded by the letters UN or NA, the proper shipping name (see blue-bordered pages), the hazard class or division of the material(s), and, where appropriate, the Packing Group. The shipping document will also display a 24-hour emergency response telephone number. In addition, there must be information available that describes the hazards of the material which can be used in the mitigation of an incident. The information must be entered on or be with the shipping document. This requirement may be satisfied by attaching a guide from the ERG2008 to the shipping document, or by having the entire guidebook available for ready reference. Shipping documents are required for most dangerous goods in transportation. Shipping documents are kept in

• the cab of the motor vehicle,
• the possession of the train crew member,
• a holder on the bridge of a vessel, or
• an aircraft pilot's possession.

EXAMPLE OF PLACARD AND PANEL WITH ID NUMBER

The 4-digit ID Number may be shown on the diamond-shaped placard or on an adjacent orange panel displayed on the ends and sides of a cargo tank, vehicle or rail car.

* For the purposes of this guidebook, the terms shipping document/shipping paper are synonymous.

** For the purposes of this guidebook, the terms hazardous materials/dangerous goods are synonymous.