[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 48544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24288]



[[Page 48544]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration
[Notice No. 98-8]


Revision of the North American Emergency Response Guidebook; 
Notice of Public Meetings; Request for Comments

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises interested persons that RSPA will conduct 
public meetings to discuss the development and publication of the year 
2000 North American Emergency Response Guidebook (NAERG2000). NAERG2000 
will supersede the 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook 
(NAERG96). The development of NAERG2000 is a joint effort involving the 
transportation agencies of the United States, Canada and Mexico. This 
notice solicits comments on the development of NAERG2000, particularly 
from those who have experience using NAERG96 during hazardous materials 
incidents.

DATES: Public Meetings. The first public meeting will be held on 
October 29, 1998, in Room 2230 of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. The second meeting will be 
February 4, 1999, in the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. The room number will be posted in the lobby 
of the Nassif Building on the day of the meeting. Meeting times are 
from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend without 
advance notification.
    Comments. Written comments should be submitted on or before 
November 23, 1998, to the Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and 
Training (DHM-50), Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20590-0001; comments may be faxed to (202) 366-7342; or e-mailed via 
the Internet to [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Henry or Gigi Corbin, Research 
and Special Programs Administration (DHM-50), 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001; (202) 366-4900; Internet e-mail to 
David.H[email protected] or Gigi.C[email protected]
    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meetings, contact 
Scott Holland at (202) 366-0002 as soon as possible.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Federal hazardous materials transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5101 
et seq., empowers the Secretary of Transportation to issue and enforce 
regulations deemed necessary to ensure the safe transport of hazardous 
materials. In addition, the law directs the Secretary of Transportation 
to provide law enforcement and fire fighting personnel with technical 
information and advice for meeting emergencies connected with the 
transportation of hazardous materials.
    The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) was developed by RSPA for 
use by emergency services personnel to provide guidance for initial 
response to hazardous materials incidents. Since 1980, it has been the 
goal of RSPA for all emergency response vehicles, including fire 
fighting, police and rescue squad vehicles, to carry a copy of the ERG. 
To accomplish this, RSPA has published six editions of the ERG and has 
distributed over six million copies to emergency services agencies, 
without charge.
    NAERG2000 is being jointly developed by RSPA, Transport Canada and 
the Secretary of Communication and Transport of Mexico. NAERG2000 will 
supersede NAERG96 and will be published in English, French and Spanish 
for use by emergency response personnel throughout North America. 
Publication of NAERG2000 will facilitate transport of hazardous 
materials through North America and increase public safety by providing 
consistent emergency response procedures for hazardous materials 
incidents in North America. In order to continually improve the NAERG, 
RSPA actively solicits comments from interested parties, especially 
those who have experience using the NAERG during hazardous materials 
incidents.

Request for Comments

    Comments are solicited on NAERG user concerns and on the following 
questions:
    1. Have emergency responders experienced a problem of inconsistent 
guidance between NAERG96 and other sources of technical information? If 
so, in what way could NAERG2000 be revised to reduce inconsistencies?
    2. Have emergency responders experienced confusion or difficulty in 
understanding the scope or purpose of NAERG96? If so, in what way could 
NAERG2000 be revised to reduce this difficulty?
    3. Have emergency responders experienced confusion or difficulty in 
understanding the application of NAERG96? If so, in what way could 
NAERG2000 be revised to reduce this difficulty?
    4. How could the ``Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action 
Distances'' or its introduction be made easier to comprehend and use?
    5. In the ``Table,'' does the distinction between day and night 
protective action distances add useful information for the first 
responder? How could the distinction be improved?
    6. Could the ``List of Dangerous Water-Reactive Materials'' 
introduced in NAERG96 be enhanced or improved?
    7. Have emergency responders experienced difficulty understanding 
the capabilities of chemical protective clothing, and the limitations 
of structural fire fighter's protective clothing in hazardous materials 
incidents? If so, in what way can NAERG2000 be revised to improve 
understanding?
    8. Have any identification numbers (ID No.) been incorrectly 
assigned to a material (Name of Material)?
    9. Has any identification number/material been assigned to the 
``wrong'' guide? If so, please identify the material and the guide.
    10. Are the responses on each guide appropriate for the material 
assigned to the guide?
    11. Have emergency responders experienced difficulty with 
legibility of NAERG96's print style, format, or durability?
    12. Have emergency response agencies experienced difficulty in 
obtaining copies of NAERG96 for their vehicles?
    13. Besides the Table of Placards, should other pictorial 
information be included?
    14. Are the terms listed in the Glossary defined satisfactorily?
    15. Should additional terms be added to the Glossary?
    Supporting data and analyses will enhance the value of comments 
submitted.
Alan I. Roberts,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-24288 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am]
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