In an emergency situation, what should you refer to for guidance on hazardous materials?

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is specifically designed to provide immediate guidance during an emergency situation involving hazardous materials. This essential resource is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation and helps responders to quickly identify the correct actions that should be taken in the event of a hazardous materials incident. The ERG provides crucial information such as evacuation distances, potential hazards, first-aid measures, and containment techniques specifically targeting various hazardous substances.

While the manufacturer's catalog, training manual, and hazard communication plan may contain useful information, they are not tailored to the urgency of an emergency response. The manufacturer’s catalog focuses more on product specifications rather than emergency procedures, the training manual contains broader instructional material that may not address real-time scenarios, and the hazard communication plan deals with general workplace safety rather than immediate response actions. Thus, in an emergency, referring to the ERG ensures that responders have the most relevant and actionable guidance at their disposal.