Emergency Response Guide (ERG)
IATA DGR Appendix C and Section 7.4.7 — 17 ERG codes with detailed fire, spill, and first aid procedures for dangerous goods incidents during air transport.
Each dangerous goods entry in the DGR is assigned an ERG code. In an emergency, locate the substance's ERG code from the NOTOC or DGD and follow the corresponding procedures below. Always consult the substance-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed information.
General Emergency Actions
- - Ensure personal safety first — do not enter without proper PPE
- - Identify the substance via UN number, proper shipping name, or ERG code
- - Isolate the area and deny entry to unauthorised personnel
- - Notify the pilot-in-command / ground emergency services
- - Refer to the NOTOC (Notification to Captain) for cargo details
- - In-flight: consider activating cargo compartment fire suppression system
Explosives (Mass explosion hazard)
Class 1.1Substances and articles with a mass explosion hazard
Fire Procedures
Evacuate immediately — minimum 500 m safety zone
Do NOT fight the fire if it reaches explosives
Cool surrounding cargo with water from a protected position
Notify fire services: explosive material involved
Spill / Leak Procedures
Do NOT touch damaged packages
Keep away from friction, sparks, and heat
Isolate the area and deny entry
First Aid
Move casualties to safety
Treat blast injuries — check for shrapnel
Monitor for hearing damage
Explosives (Water-reactive)
Class 1Explosives that react dangerously on contact with water
Fire Procedures
Do NOT use water
Use dry chemical or dry sand only
Evacuate the area — minimum 500 m
Spill / Leak Procedures
Keep dry — protect from rain and humidity
Do NOT touch or walk through spilled material
First Aid
Move casualties upwind
Remove contaminated clothing (keep dry)
Seek medical attention immediately
Flammable gas
Class 2.1Flammable gases — ignition risk from leaks
Fire Procedures
Remove all ignition sources
If cylinder is leaking: let the fire burn while cooling adjacent containers
Use water spray to cool — do NOT direct water jet at the leak
Shut off valve if safe to do so
Spill / Leak Procedures
Ventilate the area immediately
Wear SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)
Monitor for explosive atmosphere with gas detector
First Aid
Move to fresh air
If breathing stopped: CPR
Treat burns with cool water
Toxic gas
Class 2.3Toxic gases — inhalation hazard
Fire Procedures
Position upwind
Use water spray to knock down vapours
Wear full protective suit and SCBA
Spill / Leak Procedures
Evacuate and isolate the area (100 m minimum)
Wear gas mask and chemical-resistant suit
Monitor gas concentration levels continuously
First Aid
Move to fresh air immediately
Administer oxygen if available
Seek immediate medical attention — delayed effects possible
Non-flammable, non-toxic gas (asphyxiant)
Class 2.2Risk of oxygen deficiency in enclosed spaces
Fire Procedures
Cool cylinders with water spray
Ventilate the area
Risk of cylinder rupture from heat — maintain distance
Spill / Leak Procedures
Ventilate enclosed areas immediately
Monitor oxygen levels (< 19.5% = danger)
Do NOT enter confined space without SCBA
First Aid
Move to fresh air
Administer oxygen
If unconscious: recovery position + call emergency services
Flammable liquid
Class 3Liquids with a low flash point — vapour ignition risk
Fire Procedures
Remove all ignition sources
Use foam, dry chemical, or CO2
Do NOT use water jet (may spread the fire)
Cool surrounding containers with water spray
Spill / Leak Procedures
Avoid inhaling vapours — stay upwind
Absorb with inert material (sand, vermiculite)
Prevent runoff into drains or waterways
First Aid
Move to fresh air
Flush skin with copious water for 15 minutes
If swallowed: do NOT induce vomiting — seek medical help
Water-reactive flammable liquid
Class 3Flammable liquids that react on contact with water
Fire Procedures
Do NOT use water
Use dry chemical, foam, or CO2
Keep away from hot surfaces and moisture
Spill / Leak Procedures
Keep material dry — protect from rain
Cover with dry sand or inert material
Do NOT wash into drains
First Aid
Remove contaminated clothing — keep wounds dry
Flush eyes with water (if contaminated)
Seek medical attention
Flammable solid
Class 4.1Solid substances that ignite easily or produce toxic fumes when burning
Fire Procedures
Cool and extinguish with water
Toxic fumes may be produced — wear SCBA
Ensure adequate ventilation
Spill / Leak Procedures
Sweep up carefully — avoid dust generation
Keep away from ignition sources
Collect in a closed container for disposal
First Aid
Move to fresh air (toxic fume inhalation)
Flush skin/eyes with water
Seek medical attention if symptomatic
Water-reactive solid
Class 4.3Substances that produce flammable gas on contact with water
Fire Procedures
Do NOT use water
Use dry chemical or dry sand
Risk of flammable gas generation (H2)
Spill / Leak Procedures
Keep dry — protect from all water sources
Collect carefully into sealed dry container
Ventilate the area (flammable gas accumulation)
First Aid
Remove contaminated clothing
Brush off solid from skin before washing
Seek medical attention
Oxidizing substance
Class 5.1Oxidizers that can intensify fire and cause ignition of combustibles
Fire Procedures
Use copious amounts of water
Keep away from combustible materials
Cool surrounding containers
Spill / Leak Procedures
Avoid contact with organic materials (paper, wood, oil)
Flush spill area with large volumes of water
Wear chemical-resistant gloves
First Aid
Flush skin/eyes with water for 15+ minutes
Remove contaminated clothing
Seek medical attention
Organic peroxide
Class 5.2Thermally unstable substances — risk of spontaneous decomposition
Fire Procedures
Cool with copious amounts of water from maximum distance
Risk of explosive decomposition above SADT
Evacuate if temperature control is lost
Spill / Leak Procedures
Keep away from heat, sparks, and direct sunlight
Do NOT confine — allow gas to vent
Absorb with inert material
First Aid
Flush contaminated skin/eyes with water
Remove contaminated clothing immediately
Seek immediate medical attention (chemical burns)
Toxic substance
Class 6.1Substances toxic by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact
Fire Procedures
Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO2
Toxic fumes produced — full SCBA required
Position upwind
Spill / Leak Procedures
Wear protective gloves, eye protection, SCBA
Absorb with inert material and place in sealed container
Decontaminate area after clean-up
First Aid
Remove from exposure — fresh air
Remove contaminated clothing
If ingested: do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by medical professional
Seek immediate medical attention
Infectious substance
Class 6.2Biohazard — substances containing viable micro-organisms
Fire Procedures
Use water spray or CO2 to fight packaging fire
Assume all run-off is contaminated
Wear full biological PPE
Spill / Leak Procedures
Do NOT touch — avoid direct contact
Apply disinfectant to spill area
Mark contaminated areas — restrict access
Report to public health authority
First Aid
Wash exposed skin immediately with soap and water
Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes
Seek medical attention — report potential exposure
Radioactive material
Class 7Ionizing radiation hazard
Fire Procedures
Extinguish normally (water, CO2, dry chemical)
Do NOT handle damaged radioactive packages
Maintain maximum distance — minimize exposure time
Spill / Leak Procedures
Isolate the area — establish radiation control zone
Use radiation monitoring equipment
Mark contaminated areas
Report to radiation safety officer and competent authority
First Aid
Remove from contaminated area
Remove contaminated clothing carefully
Monitor for radiation exposure (dosimetry)
Seek specialized medical treatment
Corrosive substance
Class 8Causes severe damage to skin, eyes, and metals
Fire Procedures
Use water spray — avoid direct jet on substance
Corrosive vapours produced — wear SCBA
Cool surrounding containers with water
Spill / Leak Procedures
Wear chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and face shield
Neutralize with appropriate agent (bicarbonate for acid, boric acid for alkali)
Absorb with inert material
First Aid
Flush skin/eyes with copious water for 15+ minutes
Remove contaminated clothing immediately
Do NOT apply neutralizing agents to skin
Seek immediate medical attention
Miscellaneous dangerous goods
Class 9Other regulated substances not classified elsewhere
Fire Procedures
Refer to substance-specific SDS
Apply general fire-fighting measures
Spill / Leak Procedures
Apply general protective measures
Consult SDS for substance-specific procedures
First Aid
Remove from exposure area
Treat symptoms as they arise
Refer to SDS for specific treatment
Lithium battery fires
Class 9Lithium-ion/metal battery thermal runaway — self-sustaining fire with toxic gas
Fire Procedures
Cool with copious amounts of water (lithium-ion: water is effective)
Spray water on non-burning batteries to prevent propagation
Toxic HF (hydrogen fluoride) gas produced — full SCBA mandatory
Monitor for re-ignition for at least 24 hours
Spill / Leak Procedures
Isolate the affected battery/package from other cargo
Place in thermal containment (fire-resistant bag/container if available)
Ventilate the area — toxic fumes accumulate
First Aid
HF inhalation: fresh air + oxygen + hospital (pulmonary oedema risk)
HF skin contact: calcium gluconate gel + hospital
Eye exposure: flush with water for 15+ minutes
Electrolyte contact: flush with copious water
Source: IATA DGR 67th Ed., Appendix C — Emergency Response Guide; Section 7.4.7 (Written Instructions). Cross-references: ICAO Doc 9481 Emergency Response Guidance for Aircraft Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods.