Hi. I had a question about the haz mat training that train crews go through. I thought of this after reading the post on hydrocyanic acid tankers. That sounds like some mean stuff. I have seen tank cars go by with names that I cannot even begin to pronounce. How do they sort it all out?
Thanks,
Marshall[:D]
Each shipment carrying haz. mat. has a placard with a number. First responders look up the number and know the nature of the hazard and how to deal with it.
The bible for the first 10-15 minutes is the “Emergency Response Guide” or ERG. It’s a book with an orange cover that lists virtually every chemical that gets shipped by any means. If you do a search, you may be able to find a version you can download onto your computer. You’ll find them in the cab, and possibly in the crewmember’s grips.
As Bob said, every vehicle carrying at least so much hazmat has to be placarded - those little diamonds on all four sides. Most have a four digit number (LP gas is 1075, f’rinstance). Look it up in the ERG and you can find out how far to run. Always upwind and uphill… The conductor’s paperwork will also tell him (or her) what they’ve got in their train, and where.
The RR types can tell you what the formal training requirements are for them. As a firefighter, I have to have a 12 hour course plus periodic refreshers to even respond to a scene, never mind try to mitigate the problem.
An online version of the 2004 ERG is available through the US DOT at http://HazMat.DOT.gov/pubs/erg/gydebook.htm
Also, RR train crews are required to be proficient with (using the ERG book to aid them) US Title 49 Chapter 174 that governs switching and movement of Haz-Mat rail cars… http://www.Access.GPO.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx/49cfr174.html