Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2004) was developed jointly by the US Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico (SCT) for use by firefighters, police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a transportation incident involving a hazardous material. It is primarily a guide to aid first responders in (1) quickly identifying the specific or generic classification of the material(s) involved in the incident, and (2) protecting themselves and the general public during this initial response phase of the incident. The ERG is updated every three to four years to accommodate new products and technology. The next version is scheduled for 2008.

DOT's goal is to place one ERG2004 in each emergency service vehicle, nationwide, through distribution to state and local public safety authorities. To date, nearly nine million copies have been distributed without charge to the emergency responder community. Copies are made available free of charge to public emergency responders through the state coordinator (U.S. only) nearest you. In Canada, contact CANUTEC at 613-992-4624 or via Internet at canutec@tc.gc.ca for information. In Mexico, call SCT at 52-5-684-1275. Copies are also available commercially through the GPO Bookstore and other commercial vendors.

To view/print the Guide Page(s) corresponding to the material you are shipping click on the appropriate link below.

• Full Version of the ERG2004 (2.8M)
• ERG2004 State Coordinators List
• DOD Point of Contact for the ERG 2004
• Federal Agencies Point of Contact for the ERG 2004
• Summary of Changes from ERG2000
• Search by Name of Material
• Search by Identification Number
• Search the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances
• Commercial Suppliers (197K) of:
  • Emergency Response Guidebook 2004 (ERG2004)
  • DOT Chart 12 (Marking, Labeling, and Placarding Guides)
  • Sources of Hazardous Materials Regulations and Other Publications
  • Publications Containing International Requirements
• Available Documents and Files
• Spanish version of the 2004 Emergency Response Guide
• Argonne National Laboratory Report (4M)

  Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for the 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook

PHMSA welcomes constructive comments for improvements to the ERG2004. Comments should be sent either by email, or in writing to the Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training, PHH-50, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590.

Keep information on hazardous material handling close at hand.