49 CFR Emergency Response Information Requirements
In addition to the emergency contact telephone number that is required on your shipping papers, dangerous goods shippers are also required to provide some type of emergency response information per the 49 CFR within the United States. This written information must be given to the carrier to provide guidance if for some reason the telephone contact cannot be reached. Below is some important information in regard to emergency response information requirements per the 49 CFR.
Emergency Response Information
Emergency response is defined as information that can be used in the mitigation of an incident involving hazardous materials. As mentioned above, when dangerous goods documentation is provided to a carrier, a telephone number for emergency information must be marked on the shipping paper. It should be clearly identified (for example, with the words “EMERGENCY CONTACT”), and available at all times the dangerous goods are in transport, in other words, between the time you give the material to the carrier, and the time it is delivered. In addition, emergency response information must also be provided to the carrier Per 49 CFR 172.602. This information can be provided several different ways, but must be printed legibly in English, and must be outside of the package. You may provide this written information several different ways. The emergency information can be written on the shipping paper itself. This may be the most difficult way to provide the information as oftentimes there isn’t a lot of extra space on the shipping paper to fit all the required information. You also have the option to attach an additional document, such as an SDS, to the shipping papers. It is important to note that if you decide to use an SDS, it must be available away from the package. An SDS inside the package will not meet this requirement since it is not easily accessible. In addition, you can provide a cross-reference to The Emergency Response Guidebook, or a similar guide. For example, after the description of UN2814 on the shipping paper, you can write “For emergency information, see ERG Guide #158”. However, if you choose this option, the guidebook must be available at all times during transport, so make sure that the carrier (and storage facilities) has it if you use this method.
What Type of Information is Required?
In terms of the emergency response information required, the list is located in the 49 CFR at 172.602 (a). The information must include the following:
- The basic description and technical name of the hazardous material
- Immediate hazards to health
- Risks of fire or explosion;
- Immediate precautions to be taken in the event of an accident or incident;
- Immediate methods for handling fires;
- Initial methods for handling spills or leaks in the absence of fire; and
- Preliminary first aid measures.
Not sure what you need to transport your dangerous goods? Contact one of our Regulatory Experts for assistance.
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