Emergency Response, Fire Precautions, Spill Control, EmS and MFAG
Preparing for the worst
The Supplement to the IMDG Code contains the EmS Guide (emergency response procedures for fire and spillage) and the MFAG (Medical First Aid Guide). Each dangerous goods entry in the List carries an EmS schedule reference (e.g., F-A, S-A) and an MFAG table number. The ship must carry the Supplement, and the crew must know how to use it. Fire precautions include keeping ignition sources away from flammable goods, ensuring the right extinguishing media, and knowing that some goods react dangerously with water. Spill control requires containment, protective equipment, and reporting. The vessel's emergency plan should identify the EmS schedule for each cargo.
Traps candidates fall into
- Using water on a substance that reacts dangerously with water (Class 4.3).
- Looking up the EmS schedule in the wrong place; it is in the Supplement, keyed to the List entry.
- Forgetting the MFAG table number for medical response.
- Assuming the EmS guide replaces the ship's own emergency plan.
Worked example
A spill of a Class 3 flammable liquid: the List entry gives EmS F-E, S-D and an MFAG table. The crew uses the EmS spillage procedure, applies the correct extinguishing media for fire, and uses MFAG for exposure.