Which ERG guide number would you consult for a highway spill of barium peroxide?

• A. #42
• B. #8
• C. #16
• D. #50

Answer: (A)

When a highway spill involves a solid oxidizer, the first step is to identify the material’s hazard class and pull up the ERG guidance that matches that class. Barium peroxide is a strong oxidizer, so the relevant ERG section is the one dedicated to oxidizers. That guide provides the appropriate actions to secure the scene on a roadway, protect responders, and manage the spill safely, because oxidizers can intensify fires and react with fuels or organics. It outlines how to establish a safe perimeter, prevent contact with incompatible materials, and approach the incident with the correct PPE and containment steps. The other ERG guides cover different hazard classes and wouldn’t give the correct initial actions for an oxidizing solid spill, making the oxidizers guide the right choice for this situation.