Guide to help you prepare your emergency response assistance plan (ERAP)

From: Transport Canada

This guide is for anyone who plans on applying for approval of an emergency response assistance plan (ERAP). Review the following information in full to learn what steps you can take ahead of time to help you apply.

Disclaimer

This guide is for information purposes only and has no legal force or effect. If there is a conflict between this guide and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (TDG Act) or the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG Regulations), the TDG Act and TDG Regulations take precedence.

In this guide, a release or anticipated release of dangerous goods that require an ERAP in the course of their handling or transporting that endangers, or could endanger, public safety is shortened to “a release or anticipated release”.

On this page

Getting started

Do you need an ERAP?

Before you start, make sure you need an ERAP for the dangerous goods consignment. To find out, consult the Guide to find out if you need an ERAP along with section 7.2 of the TDG Regulations.

Before you apply for approval of an ERAP, you should be familiar with the TDG Act and the TDG Regulations. You should also:

  • be aware of the properties of the dangerous goods that will be transported
  • understand the risks and consequences of a release or anticipated release

Before you start your application, we recommend that you:

  • complete your potential incident analysis (PIA)
  • understand and meet equipment and response personnel requirements
  • have signed agreements for third party response, if applicable, and
  • write your plan

Creating your potential incident analysis (PIA)

A PIA must be included in your ERAP application, as per paragraph 7.3(2)(m) of the TDG Regulations. This is usually the starting point to developing your plan. It helps you understand what can happen during an incident and how to address a release or anticipated release.

Your PIA must include, at a minimum, the following four scenarios.

Scenario 1: An anticipated release of dangerous goods

For example, a TC412 tanker carrying hydrochloric acid involved in a rollover (e.g., slid down an embankment and is currently five feet below grade on its side) with no apparent loss of contents.

Scenario 2: The release of less 1% of the dangerous goods in a means of containment

For example, a full DOT105J500W rail car inspected in a rail yard is giving off an odour of chlorine at the protective housing.

Scenario 3: The release of more than 50% of the dangerous goods in a means of containment

For example, multiple intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) were punctured and are leaking in a road trailer that has been involved in a motor vehicle collision.

Scenario 4: The exposure to fire of a means of containment that contains dangerous goods

For example, a full TC 412 carrying hydrochloric acid is involved in a motor vehicle collision. As a result of the collision, dangerous goods have been released and a fire is burning. Both the released dangerous goods and the means of containment are exposed to the fire.

What to include for each scenario

For each scenario, explain:

  • the possible consequences of the release or anticipated release
  • the measures, organized by tier, to be taken in response to the release or anticipated release for each scenario
  • the persons responsible for taking the measures
    • In addition to persons who will respond on your behalf, you may include persons responsible for taking measures not identified in the ERAP. For example, you may identify municipal first responders in your PIA.

If your ERAP covers several dangerous goods, match a dangerous good with a scenario that is most likely to happen, based on your activities that require an ERAP. You may provide more than 4 scenarios, if you'd like, but the PIA is not intended to cover every possible scenario.

For example: If your ERAP covers 3 dangerous goods, UN1202, UN1267 and UN1789, you could use UN1789 for scenarios 1, 2 and 3 and use UN1267 for scenario 4.

View an example of how to format your PIA

ERAP response equipment

Paragraph 7.3(2)(i) of the TDG Regulations lists the information needed for response equipment when applying for approval of an ERAP. Response equipment means anything you plan on using to respond to a release or anticipated release and includes supplies such as products used to prevent, control or stop a release. The following explains how you can meet the regulatory requirements related to response equipment.

Availability of equipment

Your application must show that you:

  • own, maintain and replenish response equipment yourself, or
  • have agreements in place with other responders to supply response equipment when needed, or
  • have identified suppliers where response equipment can be procured and delivered to the site of the release or anticipated release. Agreements are not needed if the equipment can be obtained 24/7/365 without advance notice and the means of contacting the suppliers is clearly identified in the plan.

Plan for the worst

Certain incident scenarios may require more equipment than could be expected or planned for. If you own, maintain and replenish the equipment yourself, mention alternative third parties in the ERAP, such as other responders or suppliers that could provide additional equipment.

Equipment in Canada

The response equipment identified in your plan should be located in Canada. In exceptional circumstances, specialized equipment may be located outside of Canada. In such cases, your ERAP should explain why this is necessary and describe travel arrangements and cross-border procedures to bring the response equipment into Canada. Consider testing your cross-border procedures to anticipate and prevent issues when bringing equipment across the border before an incident occurs. Bringing response equipment into Canada can pose several challenges and has been refused entry by border services. Consult the TC Guide for Cross-Border Emergency Response [PDF, 1.06 MB] when preparing your plan.

Response Time

Whether the response equipment is owned by you or supplied elsewhere, ensure anything included in the plan can be brought to the location of a release or anticipated release within 12 hours. This is in line with our response time expectations. However, you must make all reasonable efforts to have the equipment delivered to the site of the release or anticipated release as soon as possible.

Type and amount of equipment

You’ll need to include in your ERAP the response equipment that can be brought to the site of a release or anticipated release by you, your responders or identified suppliers. You do not need to provide a detailed list of every piece of equipment; keep it at a high level. Include enough information in your plan so that a person can understand what could be brought to respond to a release or anticipated of dangerous goods. Mention the equipment that will be used for:

  • safety, including personal protection equipment
  • detection and air monitoring
  • fire response
  • containment
  • confinement
  • transfer and recovery
  • depressurization
  • neutralization
  • decontamination

Actual amount needed

Transport Canada does not set the specific type or amount of response equipment needed in your ERAP. It is up to you to determine the type and amount of equipment you believe is needed to respond to potential releases of your dangerous goods (including large scale scenarios) considering for example, the:

  • type dangerous goods included in the plan
  • quantity dangerous goods to be transported
  • frequency of transportation
  • geographical areas
  • carriers used, their resources and response capability

If the response equipment is owned and maintained by you or your third-party responders, your ERAP will describe:

  • the type of equipment owned
  • the amount available and where it is located
  • an outline of the maintenance schedule for the equipment, and
  • when supplies need to be replenished, after use and before expiry

If the response equipment is to be obtained from a supplier or another responder, your ERAP will describe:

  • the type of equipment that can be provided
  • the names and contact information of the suppliers or responders
  • the approximate amount that can be provided to you and where it is located, and
  • an estimate of time it will take for each supplier or responder to bring the equipment to the site of the release or anticipated release and how it will be delivered (for example, by truck)

ERAP response personnel

Paragraph 7.3(2)(j) of the TDG Regulations lists response personnel information needed when applying for approval of an ERAP. The following explains common terms used and how you can meet the response personnel regulatory requirements.

Type of response personnel

Response personnel means the individuals identified in your ERAP who will respond to a release or anticipated release. They include technical advisors, team leaders and response teams. Response personnel can be part of your company or part of a third party.

A technical advisor provides technical advice on the dangerous goods and means of containment found in the ERAP. Most often, the technical advisor is an employee of the company requiring an ERAP and is familiar with the contents of the plan and how it can be implemented. Depending on the dangerous goods in the plan, some technical advisors may need to have knowledge, skills and certifications beyond what we consider the basics.

A team leader oversees a response team and is responsible for response tasking during the emergency response phase. A team leader also provides emergency response advice, including what to do to respond to a release or anticipated release that involves the dangerous goods and the means of containment found in the ERAP. Depending on the dangerous goods in the plan, some team leaders may need to have knowledge, skills and certifications beyond what we consider the basics.

The same individual can be both a technical advisor and a team leader.

A response team is a group of individuals that can work under a team leader to implement mitigation techniques identified in the ERAP. The members of the response team perform the actual operations at the site of an incident during the emergency response phase.

Knowledge, skills and certifications

The following explains what we mean by knowledge, skills and certifications and how these may be obtained.

  • Knowledge is defined as information, facts or understanding about something.
  • Skills are defined as the ability to use knowledge to perform a task.
  • Training means developing or maintaining the knowledge and skills needed for a particular task. Training includes all formats of learning, and may include:
    • simulations or exercises whether in-house or hosted by another party (these can be tabletop or in person, with or without actual product)
    • courses, whether taken in-house or at an accredited facility following an official standardFootnote 1
    • seminars, presentations, workshops at events or conferences
    • incident debriefs and lessons learned
  • Experience means to gain knowledge and skills through direct observation or participation in events.
  • Certification means a certificate was obtained that attests you have taken a training proving that you understand (meaning you have the knowledge) and have gained the skills to perform certain tasks.

Given the definitions above, a person is deemed competent if they have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform a task. Knowledge and skills are generally obtained by training and experience. Most often, real life experience has greater value than training and is preferred. But, in the field of emergency response, experience can be difficult to obtain given the limited opportunities to take part and learn from dangerous goods incident occurrences. Training should be used to enhance knowledge and skills, in particular when experience is lacking. As such, an individual with significant and regular opportunities for real-life response experience, may not need as much training to maintain their emergency response knowledge and skills. We do not mandate the type or amount of training and experience as these can vary greatly. It is up to you to ensure the response personnel in your ERAP have the appropriate knowledge, skills, and necessary certifications, as defined below. We suggest how you can train your response personnel in the Guide for persons who have an ERAP. The Remedial Measures Specialist (RMS) will consider both the experience and training of response personnel when assessing ERAP applications.

Basic response personnel

Knowledge, skills and certifications at the basic response level which applies to all ERAPs.

Basic technical advisors

The following applies to all technical advisors and dangerous goods in the plan. It also recognizes that not all technical advisors need to or can deploy to the site of an incident.

Basic technical advisor knowledge and skills

Through training and experience, each technical advisor is knowledgeable and skilled in:

  • chemical compatibility of the dangerous goods
  • handling precautions, safety guidelines and best practices for the dangerous goods
  • toxicological properties of the dangerous goods
  • compatibility, use and testing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • understanding and interpreting safety data sheets (SDS) or other technical publications concerning the dangerous goods
  • implementation of the ERAP, and
  • applicable sections of the TDG Regulations

Technical advisors that are to be deployed and respond onsite are also knowledgeable and skilled in:

  • loading and unloading procedures, including any tools, valves, piping, hoses and fittings needed
  • regulations, standards and requirements governing the design, maintenance, inspection, repair and use of the means of containment, and
  • working under an Incident Command System (ICS) structure

Basic technical advisor certifications

Technical advisors that are to be deployed and respond onsite have and maintainFootnote 2 certificationsFootnote 3 based on the following standards or equivalent:

  • National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 470: Specialist Employee B or A or Operations levelFootnote 4 or above
  • Incident Command System (ICS) I-200Footnote 5 or above
  • Part 6 of the TDG RegulationsFootnote 6

No certifications are needed for technical advisors who only respond remotely.

Basic team leaders

The following applies to all team leaders and dangerous goods in the plan. All team leaders must be able to deploy to the site of a release or anticipated release (onsite).

Basic team leader knowledge and skills

Through training and experience, each team leader is knowledgeable and skilled in:

  • incident management and site assessment
  • expected behavior of the means of containment and contained dangerous goods following a serious mechanical impact or when subject to severe heating or fire
  • damage assessment (may be done in the field in conjunction with the carrier, technical advisor or other qualified professionals)
  • providing advice and operating within the ICS
  • logistical planning, allocation and deployment of resources to the incident site
  • planning the response by determining and applying risk-based response methodologies based on the capabilities and competencies of available personnel, PPE and equipment
  • handling precautions, safety guidelines and best practices for the dangerous goods
  • product compatibility with the service or product handling equipment associated with the means of containment (for example, tools, hoses, fittings, pressure gauges)
  • loading and unloading procedures, including any tools, valves, piping, hoses and fittings needed
  • calibration and use of product specific detection and air monitoring equipment along with the appropriate interpretation of results
  • mitigation, decontamination and remediation techniques
  • specific product transfer operations (equipment needed, procedures and guidelines) associated with the damaged means of containment
  • understanding and interpreting SDS or other technical publications concerning the dangerous goods, and
  • applicable sections of the TDG Regulations

Basic team leader certifications

All team leaders have and maintainFootnote 2 certificationsFootnote 3 based on the following standards or equivalent:

Response team members

The following applies to all response team members and dangerous goods in the plan. All response team members must be able to deploy to the site of a release or anticipated release (onsite).

Response team member knowledge and skills

Through training and experience, response team members are knowledgeable and skilled inFootnote 7:

  • mitigation, decontamination and remediation techniques
  • expected behavior of the means of containment and contained dangerous goods following a serious mechanical impact
  • expected behavior of the dangerous goods and their interaction with the means of containment when subject to severe heating or fire
  • handling precautions, safety guidelines and best practices for the dangerous goods
  • understanding and interpreting safety data sheets (SDS) or other technical publications concerning the dangerous goods
  • calibration and use of product specific detection and air monitoring equipment along with the appropriate interpretation of results, and
  • working under supervision within an ICS structure

Response team member certifications

All response team members have and maintain certifications based on the following standards or equivalentFootnote 8:

  • NFPA 470: Awareness level or above

Enhanced response personnel

Enhanced knowledge, skills and certifications are needed for the following dangerous goods that may require a more complex response.

Flammable liquids and flammable gases fire response personnel

The following applies to ERAPs that include dangerous goods with a primary Class 3 that are transported by rail or a primary Class 2.1 transported by road or rail.

Fire response knowledge and skills

In addition to the basic team leader knowledge and skills, through training and experience, fire response individuals are also knowledgeable and skilled inFootnote 9:

  • fire control, suppression, extinguishment and spill control strategies and tactics specific to flammable liquid and flammable gas transportation incidents
  • analyzing and evaluating the results of a planned response to a flammable liquid or flammable gas incident
  • lessons learned, input and experiences of emergency response peers representing the carrier and petroleum industries, emergency response contractors, and the public safety emergency response community
Fire response certifications

For primary Class 3 and Class 2.1 dangerous goods transported by rail, in addition to basic team leader certifications, fire response individuals also have and maintain certificationsFootnote 10 based on the following standards or equivalent:

  • NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualification

or

  • NFPA 1081: Industrial Fire Brigade Member Professional Qualification

No fire response certifications are needed for individuals responding to Class 2.1 dangerous goods transported by road.

Chlorine response personnel

The following applies to ERAPs that include chlorine (UN1017) transported by road or rail.

Chlorine response knowledge and skills

In addition to the basic team leader knowledge and skills, through training and experience, individuals responding to chlorine are also knowledgeable and skilled in:

  • applying a chlorine capping kit to a damaged means of containment
  • using chlorine specific emergency response containment (recovery) vessel
  • plugging and patching chlorine containers
  • scrubbing and sparging chlorine vapours
  • assisting a CHLOREP Level 3 Team in a field transfer of chlorine or valve change out on a residue chlorine rail tank car
Chlorine certifications

Individuals responding to chlorine have and maintain the basic team leader certifications as well as the:

  • CHLOREP Advanced Training, or
  • CHLOREP Team Training, or both

Cryogenic liquids response personnel

The following applies to ERAPs that include cryogenic liquid dangerous goods transported by road or rail.

Cryogenic liquids response knowledge and skills

In addition to the basic team leader knowledge and skills, through training and experience, individuals responding to cryogenic liquids are also knowledgeable and skilled in:

  • containment and confinement techniques specific to cryogenic liquids (for example, ice dams, freeze patching)
  • the specific piping and valve arrangement of the means of containment
  • the compatibility of materials used for transfers
  • the behaviour of gases transported
Cryogenic liquids certifications

Individuals responding to cryogenic liquids have and maintain the basic team leader certifications. Although not necessarily accredited, they should also have received in-house training.

Explosives response personnel

The following applies to ERAPs that include dangerous goods with a primary Class 1 that are transported by road or rail.

Explosives response knowledge and skills

In addition to the basic technical advisor knowledge and skills, through training and experience, individuals responding to explosives are knowledgeable and skilled in:

  • incident management and site assessment
  • what affects the reactivity and sensitivity of explosives
  • expected behavior of the means of containment and contained dangerous goods following a serious mechanical impact or when subject to severe heating or fire
  • explosive recognition, retrieval, handling and disposal
  • planning the response by determining and applying risk-based response methodologies
  • formal training in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), if the explosives in the plan are of military grade, and
  • relevant sections of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 and any other applicable regulations and standards
Explosives certifications

Individuals responding to explosives have and maintain the basic technical advisor certifications and hold the required provincial/territorial regulations, blaster certifications, tickets and permits.

Persons requiring an ERAP for pumpable explosive (meaning emulsions or watergels) also have and maintain:

  • a Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) license for transferring explosive emulsion in Canada

Response personnel amount and response time

Your ERAP must include at leastFootnote 11:

  • 2 technical advisors
  • 2 team leaders
  • 1 response team

The total amount of response personnel you need is determined by:

  • dangerous goods included in your ERAP
  • the geographical areas where those dangerous goods are transported, and
  • making sure you meet the expected response times

You are expected to have enough technical advisors and team leaders so that combined, at least one individual meeting the necessary response personnel knowledge, skills and certifications can be at the site of a release or anticipated release within 6 hours or lessFootnote 12.

Keep in mind that there are basic and enhanced response personnel, depending on the dangerous goods in your plan. ERAPs that include certain flammable liquids and flammable gases, chlorine, cryogenic liquids and explosives require some individuals to have enhanced knowledge, skills and certifications beyond those that are described as basic. Think of these as specialized technical advisors and team leaders. This does not mean that all your technical advisors and team leaders need to have enhanced knowledge, skills and certifications. Some may only meet the basic criteria, whereas others may meet the enhanced criteria. When your ERAP includes one or more dangerous goods that are Class 3 flammable liquids, Class 2.1 flammable gases, chlorine, cryogenic liquids or explosives:

  • include at least two individuals that meet the enhanced criteria
  • the expected response time for the individuals meeting the enhanced criteria, regardless of the number of individuals meeting the basic criteria, is less than 6 hoursFootnote 13

For example: Your ERAP includes various Class 3 flammable liquids. You could include technical advisors that work at your company and can provide valuable technical advice on chemical compatibility, toxicological properties and proper handling of the dangerous goods. These individuals are considered basic technical advisors and may or may not deploy onsite. You will also need to provide enough individuals in your application (technical advisors or team leaders) that meet the fire response enhanced criteria and can be at the site of a release or anticipated release within 6 hours of implementing your plan to tier 2. Only having basic technical advisors and basic team leaders to cover part or all of your plan’s geographical area would not be accepted in this case.

Response team members are expected to be onsite within 12 hours or less.

Deployment of response personnel by air to meet response times

Response personnel may be deployed by either road, rail, air or marine transport, depending on what is possible in the geographical area of your ERAP. If you plan to deploy response personnel by air to meet response time expectations, ensure that the air charters you included in your plan can be used whenever the dangerous goods that require an ERAP are transported. In some cases, we may require you to provide an agreement with those air charters. If you use air charters, show in your plan from which airports you could leave, estimate of how long it would take to have an aircraft ready, list the possible aircrafts to be used and provide a map or a table with examples of approximate travel time (including landing and take-off) to certain airports or landing strips or areas. The idea here is not to include all possible flight plans, but to be well prepared and know what to expect, should you have to use the services of an air charter.

Location of your response personnel

Your response personnel should be located in Canada to make sure they meet our expected response times. For specific reasons, you may choose to include highly specialized response personnel that is located outside of Canada. In such cases, your plan should explain travel arrangements and cross-border procedures. Consider testing your cross-border procedures to anticipate and prevent issues crossing the border before an incident occurs. Because these responders could be delayed or denied entry into Canada, your plan must also include team leaders and response teams in Canada that can take part in the initial response, until the specialized response personnel arrive. Consult the TC Guide for Cross-Border Emergency Response [PDF, 1.06 MB] when preparing your plan.

Using third parties for response

You may not have all the resources in place to respond to a release or anticipated release by yourself. Resources identified in your ERAP may include your own, those of third-party responders or a combination of both. Choose responders that are trained, knowledgeable and equipped to respond to a release or anticipated release in a timely, appropriate, safe and coordinated manner.

Types of third-party responders

There are 2 types of third-party responders:

  • Emergency response contractors are, for example, third parties that you hire to provide resources, including response personnel and equipment on your behalf, for response at the site of a release or anticipated release
    • You may choose to hire a primary response contractor to manage a response network for you
      • This network may include response sub-contractors and mutual aid partners
    • A response sub-contractor is a response contractor that is part of a response network for your ERAP
  • Mutual aid partners are, for example, organizations that share and exchange resources with your company to facilitate the response at the site of a release or anticipated release
    • Mutual aid partnerships are generally not for profit.

We do not maintain a list of third-party responders. It is your responsibility to find persons suitable to assist you in responding to a release or anticipated release.

Contents of agreements

If you use third parties for response, agreements must be included with your ERAP application, as per paragraph 7.3(2)(h) of the TDG Regulations.

A third-party responder agreement is an agreement between you and a third party listed in your ERAP that will provide technical or emergency response advice and provide resources to respond to a release or anticipated release on your behalf.

For the purposes of applying for approval of an ERAP, an agreement should describe the nature of the services provided. It is a signed document that should include, for example, the:

  • person providing the services or support
  • person receiving the services or support
  • date the agreement is signed
  • date the agreement expires, if applicable
  • dangerous goods, modes of transport and means of containment that apply
  • geographical areas covered
  • conditions of the agreement
  • ERAP reference number, if available
  • phone numbers to initiate the services or support

You may have one or many agreements. All third-party responders listed in your ERAP must be part of an agreement.

During the review of your ERAP application, signed agreements serve as evidence that there are measures in place to respond to a release or anticipated release. All agreements must be valid during the approval period of the ERAP and reflect the actual resources that can be provided. If conditions of the agreement change during your approval period, you must update your ERAP application.

Agreement signatures

The signatures required in an agreement will vary depending on the type of third-party responder agreement.

A response contractor agreement must be signed by both the applicant and one or many response contractors depending on the nature of the agreement. For example, an agreement can be a document signed by the applicant and:

  • a single response contractor per response location
  • a single response contractor for multiple response locations
  • several response contractors for multiple response locations
  • the primary response contractor and the response sub-contractors for multiple locations
  • the primary response contractor that is signing on behalf of response sub-contractors
    • These sub-contractors must be listed in the agreement
    • This agreement must refer to one or many agreements signed between the primary contractor and the sub-contractors, which must be included in your ERAP application

A mutual aid agreement must be, at minimum, signed by the person offering the mutual assistance.

What to include in your emergency response assistance plan (ERAP)

An ERAP (also known as your plan) is a document that, according to subsection 7(2) of the TDG Act, outlines what to do to respond to a release or anticipated release of certain dangerous goods. Think of the plan as a guide to be used by you and your responders during an incident that involves your dangerous goods.

The information required when applying for approval of an ERAP is found in section 7.3 of the TDG Regulations. When you apply for approval of an ERAP, you have to complete and submit an application which also includes a copy of this plan. It is normal that your plan includes information that is similar to what is required in the ERAP application.

Format and contents of your ERAP

There is no specific format for an ERAP. Write your ERAP in a way that ensures it meets both Transport Canada requirements and your business needs. If needed, you can request a sample ERAP by contacting us.

Your plan should include a title, table of contents and a list of tables and figures, if applicable. Consider including the following content in your ERAP:

Contact information

Include contact information for all internal and external persons required to support the response. This could include, for example:

  • technical advisors and team leaders
  • response contractors
  • mutual aid partners
  • suppliers of resources critical to the ERAP (for example, climate-controlled trailers, monitoring equipment)
  • poison control centers
  • charters for transport into remote areas by air or marine modes

Also include the contact information of individuals from your company that will act as the liaison with Transport Canada for this ERAP.

Roles and responsibilities

Describe the roles and responsibilities of key personnel involved in implementing the plan, reporting or responding to a release or anticipate release, including:

  • senior-level management for authorizations
  • technical advisors
  • team leaders
  • response teams
  • mutual aid partners
  • any other persons who are critical to the implementation of the plan or the response

The roles and responsibilities of personnel should align with the response actions in your PIA. When describing the roles and responsibilities, you can include, where applicable:

  • contact information
  • the dangerous goods responded to
  • an overview of actions that could be taken
  • relevant training and experience on those dangerous goods
  • equipment that can be used or brought to respond
  • geographic area covered

Classification of dangerous goods

Identify the dangerous goods that require an ERAP, including their:

  • UN number
  • proper shipping name
  • class (and subsidiary classes, if applicable)
  • packing group or category

Only include dangerous goods that require an ERAP .

Means of containment and modes of transport

Identify the specific means of containment (container or packaging) for all dangerous goods. Include a specification sheet for more complex means of containment with, for example, valve arrangements and possible leak points.

Consider including:

  • information on the capacity of the means of containment
  • valve and fitting arrangements
  • overpacking or secondary/tertiary means of containment
  • how the dangerous goods are normally loaded and unloaded from the means of containment

Indicate the modes in which they will be transported (by air, rail, road or marine). If known, consider including:

  • the name of the carrier(s) that will be transporting the dangerous goods
  • the major highways, railways, airlines and airports or bodies of water used to transport the dangerous goods

Geographical areas of coverage

Identify the area in which the dangerous goods will be transported. Consider adding a map showing the geographical areas covered by the ERAP.

Resources for response, including personnel and equipment

Include both in-house and third-party response locations. Each response equipment location should have a list of the response equipment as well as the technical advisors, team leaders and response teams who will respond from the location should there be a release or anticipated release.

All response equipment must be inspected and kept ready. You also need to keep inspection and maintenance records and make them available to us upon request.

Emergency response actions

Describe the expected actions to respond to a release or anticipated release. Consider describing the following:

  • initial response actions
  • defensive response actions
  • offensive response actions
  • fire response actions

Also include procedures for critical response actions (for example, product transfer, depressurization), and necessary equipment for these actions. Those procedures and the equipment list may be in a different document, as long as they are referred to in the ERAP and you provide them with your application for approval.

Damage assessment

Address how to assess damage to the means of containment in order to determine the necessary response (for example, non-intervention, product transfer, depressurization). Identify resources with expertise in damage assessment in your plan and consider describing their experience and training.

Training and exercises

Outline any training and exercises you will do to ensure all parties will respond to a release or anticipated release in a timely, appropriate, safe and coordinated way.

Training and exercises should involve the means of containment and equipment described in the ERAP. Keep records for all training and exercises related to the ERAP and be ready to provide us these records upon request. A record includes the date, location and activities of the training, along with a signed list of participants.

Plan implementation

Specify the steps necessary to implement your ERAP during a release or anticipated release. Include procedures to notify key response personnel, such as a technical advisor or a team leader.

For example, describe what happens after the ERAP telephone number is called, including:

  • the information that will be collected by the person answering the telephone
  • how technical advisors or ERAP team leaders will be connected to a caller requesting technical or emergency response advice
  • who will implement the ERAP and make the ERAP implementation report to CANUTEC

Consider creating an incident assessment form that would be used by the person answering the ERAP telephone number. Use this form to take notes relevant to make the ERAP implementation report.

Mobilization and deployment of resources

Address the mobilization (preparation to deploy) and deployment of response resources. Also identify the people with authority to do this, including:

  • the number of people who are available to respond
  • any travel arrangements you need to make for these people
  • cross-border procedures for response personnel and equipment

Make sure the deployment options are appropriate for the geographical areas covered in your ERAP. You should consider deployment by air or marine modes for remote areas, if applicable.

Safety information

Include information on the hazards associated with the dangerous goods in your plan. Depending on the nature of the hazards, consider including:

  • symptoms and routes of exposure
  • first aid strategies
  • exposure limits such as immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) or time-weighted average exposure value (TWAEV)
  • chemical properties and their hazards
  • lower explosive limit (LEL) and upper explosive limit (UEL) values
  • selection of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Refer to the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) for your dangerous goods. Include a safety data sheet (SDS) for all dangerous goods in the plan or reference them. All information must be current.

Communications

Demonstrate how you and, if applicable, your third parties will maintain communication between your response personnel as well as other agencies, when responding to a release or anticipated release. Be sure to consider areas in which cellular service may be limited.

Appendices

You can append the following to your ERAP document, if applicable:

  • signed agreements with third party responders
  • training matrices of responders and summaries of previous trainings
  • equipment lists from each response location
  • revision history for the ERAP document
  • SDS, product information and relevant ERG guide pages
  • incident assessment forms
  • other relevant contacts

Contact us

TDG Response Operations Group
Transport Canada
Email: ERAPapplications@tc.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-302-3581
TTY: 1-888-675-6863

Report a problem with this page

Date modified: