Hazmat emergencies
Questions and answers
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Who publishes the Emergency Response Guidebook?
The Department of Transportation
The ERG is a Department of Transportation guide for firefighters, police, and industry workers.
Section 9 · 9.7.1 – Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How is the Emergency Response Guidebook indexed?
By proper shipping name and identification number
Responders look up a material by its proper shipping name or its identification number.
Section 9 · 9.7.1 – Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why must the shipping name, identification number, labels, and placards be correct?
Emergency personnel use them to look up how to respond
Responders look for these items on the shipping paper to find the right guidance in the ERG.
Section 9 · 9.7.1 – Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) ↗PDF, 41 MB -
At the scene of a hazardous materials crash, what is part of the driver’s job?
Keeping people away from the scene
The driver keeps people away, limits the spread if safe, communicates the danger, and gives responders the papers.
Section 9 · 9.7.2 – Crashes/Incidents ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When should a driver try to limit the spread of spilled material?
Only if it can be done safely
Limiting the spread is part of the job only when you can do it safely.
Section 9 · 9.7.2 – Crashes/Incidents ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What should you give emergency responders at a crash scene?
The shipping papers and emergency response information
Responders need the shipping papers and emergency response information to handle the materials.
Section 9 · 9.7.2 – Crashes/Incidents ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Should you fight a hazardous materials fire?
Not unless you have the training and equipment to do it safely
Hazardous materials fires need special training and protective gear.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is the first thing to do when you discover a fire?
Call for help
When you discover a fire, call for help.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What may you use the fire extinguisher for on a hazardous materials load?
Keeping a minor truck fire from spreading to the cargo
The extinguisher may keep minor truck fires away from the cargo until firefighters arrive.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What should you do before opening trailer doors when you suspect a fire?
Feel the doors to see if they are hot
Feel the doors first. Hot doors may mean a cargo fire.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
The trailer doors are hot. What should you do?
Keep them closed, since there may be a cargo fire
Hot doors may mean a cargo fire, so do not open them.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why should you not open the doors on a cargo fire?
Air may make the fire flare up
Opening doors lets air in. Without air, many fires only smolder until firefighters arrive.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Your cargo is already on fire. Should you fight it?
No, it is not safe
Once the cargo is burning it is not safe to fight the fire. Warn others and keep them away.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How should you identify hazardous materials that are leaking?
By the shipping papers, labels, or package location
Use the shipping papers, labels, or where the package sits to identify a leak.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why should you never try to find a leak by smell?
Toxic gases can destroy your sense of smell and hurt you even without odor
Toxic gases can destroy your sense of smell and can injure or kill you even if they have no odor.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why should you not touch leaking hazardous materials?
Many people are injured by touching them
Do not touch any leaking material. Many injuries come from touching hazardous materials.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What must you never do around a leak or spill?
Eat, drink, or smoke
Never eat, drink, or smoke around a leak or spill.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Hazardous materials are spilling from your vehicle. How far should you move it?
No more than safety requires
Do not move a spilling vehicle any more than safety requires.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When may you move a leaking vehicle off the road?
When it serves safety and puts you away from where people gather
You may move off the road and away from places where people gather, if that serves safety and is not dangerous.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You notice a slow leak from your load while driving. May you keep going to reach a truck stop?
No, never keep driving with a leak
Never continue driving with leaking hazardous materials to find a phone, truck stop, or help.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Who pays for cleaning up roads and ditches contaminated by a leaking vehicle?
The carrier
The carrier pays for the cleanup, and the costs are enormous, so do not leave a long trail.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Where should you keep people when hazardous materials are spilling?
Far away and upwind
Keep people far away and upwind, and warn others of the danger.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
On the spill checklist, what should you check about your driving partner?
That your partner is OK
After securing the area, check that your driving partner is OK.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You send someone for help. What location information should you give them?
Your exact location and direction of travel
Responders need your exact location and direction of travel to find you.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which of these should the person you send for help be given?
The name of the city where your terminal is located
Give your name, the carrier’s name, and the community or city where your terminal is.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which material details should you give the person sent for help, if you know them?
The proper shipping name, hazard class, and identification number
Give the proper shipping name, hazard class, and identification number if you know them.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What is a good idea when sending someone for help?
Write all the information down for them
There is a lot to remember, so write it down for the person you send.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why does the emergency team need full information before coming?
So they bring the right equipment the first time
Responders may travel miles, and good information lets them bring the right equipment the first time.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When should you never move a leaking vehicle?
When moving it would cause contamination or damage the vehicle
Never move the vehicle if that would spread contamination or damage it.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
During a leak, where should you stay?
Upwind and away from rest areas, truck stops, and businesses
Keep upwind and away from roadside rests, truck stops, cafes, and businesses.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Should you try to repack leaking containers?
No, never
Never repack leaking containers, and do not repair leaks without training and equipment.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Whom should you call for instructions after a leak?
Your dispatcher or supervisor
Call your dispatcher or supervisor, and emergency personnel if needed.
Section 9 · 9.7.3 – Fires ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Vehicles carrying explosives collide. What must be done before separating them?
Remove all the explosives
All explosives are removed before vehicles in a collision are separated.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How far from the vehicles and occupied buildings must removed explosives be placed?
At least 200 feet
Place removed explosives at least 200 feet from the vehicles and occupied buildings.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
There is a fire on a vehicle carrying explosives. What should you warn people of?
The danger of explosion
If there is a fire, warn everyone of the danger of explosion and keep bystanders away.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Compressed gas is leaking from your vehicle. Who may come close?
Only those involved in removing the hazard or wreckage
Warn others and let only the people removing the hazard or wreckage get close.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Compressed gas is involved in an accident. Whom must you notify?
The shipper
You must notify the shipper whenever compressed gas is involved in any accident.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When may a flammable compressed gas be transferred from one tank to another on a public road?
Only when fueling road construction or maintenance machinery
The only exception is fueling machinery used in road construction or maintenance.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How far may you take a leaking cargo tank of flammable liquid?
No farther than needed to reach a safe place
Never take a leaking cargo tank farther than needed to reach a safe place, and get off the road if safe.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
When may flammable liquid be transferred between vehicles on a public road?
Only in an emergency
Flammable liquid is moved from one vehicle to another on a public roadway only in an emergency.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A package of flammable solids is smoldering. What should you do?
Do not open it, and remove it from the vehicle if safe
Do not open smoldering packages. Remove them if you can do so safely.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
After a flammable solid spills, when should you remove unbroken packages?
If it will decrease the fire hazard
Removing unbroken packages is right when it lowers the fire hazard.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A Division 6.1 poison leaks. Why should you also take precautions for flammable materials?
Many products classed as poison are also flammable
Many poisons are also flammable, so take the added precautions for flammable liquids or gases.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Near a poison leak that might be flammable, what must you not allow?
Smoking, open flame, or welding
Do not allow smoking, open flame, or welding, and warn others of fire, vapors, and contact.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What must happen to a vehicle involved in a Division 2.3 or 6.1 leak before it is used again?
It must be checked for stray poison
A vehicle in a poison leak is checked for stray poison before reuse.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A Division 6.2 infectious substance package is damaged in handling. What should you do?
Contact your supervisor immediately
Contact your supervisor right away, and do not accept packages that look damaged or leaking.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Radioactive material is in a broken package. Whom do you tell?
Your dispatcher or supervisor, as soon as possible
Tell your dispatcher or supervisor as soon as possible about a radioactive leak or broken package.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
After a radioactive spill, when may the vehicle be used again?
After it is cleaned and checked with a survey meter
Do not use the vehicle until it is cleaned and checked with a survey meter.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What must be done to vehicle parts exposed to a corrosive liquid?
Wash them thoroughly with water
Parts exposed to corrosive liquid must be thoroughly washed with water.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
After unloading a leaking corrosive load, when should you wash out the interior?
As soon as possible, before reloading
Wash the interior as soon as possible after unloading and before reloading.
Section 9 · 9.7.4 – Responses to Specific Hazards ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What does the National Response Center do?
Helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards
The National Response Center coordinates response to chemical hazards and is a resource for police and firefighters.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Who must phone the National Response Center after a reportable incident?
You or your employer
You or your employer must call when a reportable event results from a hazardous materials incident.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which injury must be reported to the National Response Center?
An injured person who requires hospitalization
A call is required when someone is killed or an injured person requires hospitalization.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Above what amount of estimated property damage must an incident be reported?
$50,000
An incident must be reported when estimated property damage exceeds $50,000.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
How long must a public evacuation last before an incident must be reported?
More than one hour
A call is required when the general public is evacuated for more than one hour.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Major transportation arteries are closed by an incident. When must it be reported?
When they are closed for one hour or more
Closing one or more major arteries or facilities for one hour or more must be reported.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Above what amount must a liquid marine pollutant release be reported?
119 gallons
A release of a liquid marine pollutant greater than 119 gallons must be reported.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Above what amount must a solid marine pollutant release be reported?
882 pounds
For a solid marine pollutant, a release greater than 882 pounds must be reported.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Must suspected radioactive contamination be reported, even with no injuries?
Yes
Fire, breakage, spillage, or suspected radioactive contamination is a reason to call.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Why was CHEMTREC created?
To give emergency personnel technical information about hazardous materials
CHEMTREC provides technical information about the physical properties of hazardous materials.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
You call the National Response Center. Do you also have to call CHEMTREC separately?
No, each one tells the other when appropriate
The two are in close communication. If you call either one, they tell the other when appropriate.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
What should a caller to the National Response Center be ready to give?
The date, time, and location of the incident
Callers give their name, carrier, phone number, date, time, location, injuries, and material details.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
A reportable quantity of a hazardous substance was released. What extra details should the caller give?
The shipper’s name and the quantity discharged
For a reportable quantity, give the name of the shipper and the quantity discharged.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Within how many days must carriers make detailed written reports of an incident?
30 days
Carriers must make detailed written reports within 30 days of an incident.
Section 9 · 9.7.5 – Required Notification ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Into how many major hazard classes are hazardous materials divided?
Nine
Hazardous materials fall into nine major hazard classes, plus categories for consumer commodities and combustible liquids.
Section 9 · Classes of Hazardous Materials ↗PDF, 41 MB -
Which of these is an example of a combustible liquid?
Fuel oil
Fuel oils and lighter fluid are examples of combustible liquids. Gasoline is a Class 3 flammable liquid.
Section 9 · Classes of Hazardous Materials ↗PDF, 41 MB
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