Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# EmS Guide and MFAG: Responding to Emergencies Involving Dangerous Goods

The EmS Guide provides fire and spillage response procedures for every entry in the IMDG Code, while the MFAG guides medical first aid in the event of exposure to dangerous substances: both are mandatory on board and updated with the 2024 edition.

EmS Guide MFAG emergency first aid dangerous goods

## Operational Explanation

The EmS Guide (Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods) provides, for every entry in the IMDG Code, the pair of emergency schedules (Fire Schedule and Spillage Schedule) to be applied in the event of a fire or spillage involving that specific substance. The MFAG (Medical First Aid Guide) is instead the IMO/WHO/ILO reference tool for medical first aid in the event of exposure, poisoning or contact with the dangerous substances governed by the IMDG Code.

The 2024 edition of the Supplement to the IMDG Code includes the revised EmS Guide aligned with Amendment 42-24, incorporating the new entries for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries and battery-powered vehicles.

## Regulatory Reference

The IMDG Code requires the updated EmS Guide and MFAG to be carried on board as part of the mandatory documentation for the carriage of dangerous goods. The ISM Code requires these procedures to be integrated into the company's emergency management plan (contingency plan).

## Scope of Application

Every ship carrying dangerous goods in packaged form, with the Master and watchkeeping officers responsible for being able to quickly identify the applicable EmS/MFAG schedule for a specific substance during a real emergency.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Check that the edition of the EmS Guide and MFAG on board is consistent with the edition of the IMDG Code applied to the cargo.
2. In the event of an incident, quickly identify the UN number and class of the substance involved from the transport documentation.
3. Consult the specific EmS schedule (Fire Schedule for fire, Spillage Schedule for spillage) for the immediate actions to be taken.
4. In the event of exposure or poisoning of personnel, consult the MFAG for first-aid guidance specific to the substance involved.
5. Periodically integrate realistic EmS/MFAG scenarios into emergency drills, rather than limiting drills to generic fire scenarios.

## Practical Example

Example: during a spillage of a Class 8 corrosive substance, the watchkeeping officer identifies the UN number from the transport documentation, consults the corresponding EmS Spillage Schedule for containment actions, and at the same time applies the MFAG guidance for treating any skin exposure of the personnel involved.

## Real Cases

The revision of the EmS Guide in the 2024 edition of the IMDG Supplement, made necessary by the introduction of new entries for lithium and sodium-ion batteries under Amendment 42-24, shows how emergency procedures must be constantly updated in step with the evolution of the cargoes being carried: an outdated EmS Guide risks not covering the substances actually on board.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
EmS Guide or MFAG on board in an edition not consistent with the IMDG edition applied to the cargo | Absence of emergency procedures for the new entries introduced by the latest amendment | Check and update the EmS Guide and MFAG with every new amendment to the IMDG Code
Personnel not trained to quickly identify the applicable EmS schedule during a real emergency | Delay in the appropriate response during the critical first minutes of the emergency | Include practical EmS/MFAG consultation exercises in periodic drills, not just classroom theory
Generic firefighting procedures applied without consulting the substance-specific EmS schedule | Actions that may be ineffective or counterproductive for substances with specific behaviour | Always consult the specific EmS schedule before acting, when safety conditions allow

## PSC Observations

PSCOs check that the EmS Guide and MFAG on board are updated to the applied IMDG edition, and may ask the crew to demonstrate the ability to quickly identify the schedule applicable to a substance selected at random.

## Operational Tips

- Always keep a paper copy or an easily accessible copy of the EmS Guide and MFAG, not only a digital format that may not be consultable in an emergency.
- Train the crew to search by UN number, not just by the substance's trade name: the UN number is the unique reference in the EmS Guide.
- Update the SMS contingency plan procedures with every revision of the EmS Guide, rather than leaving them unchanged from one amendment to the next.

## Checklist

- EmS Guide and MFAG on board in the edition consistent with the applied IMDG Code
- Personnel trained in quick searches by UN number
- Realistic EmS/MFAG scenarios included in periodic drills
- SMS contingency plan updated in line with the latest EmS revision
- Post-emergency debrief procedure that checks the adequacy of the schedules applied

## FAQ

What is the difference between the EmS Guide and the MFAG?
The EmS Guide provides operational procedures for managing fires and spillages of a specific substance; the MFAG provides medical first-aid guidance for personnel who may have been exposed to or poisoned by that same substance.
How do you quickly find the correct EmS schedule during an emergency?
Through the substance's UN number, shown on the transport documentation (Dangerous Goods Declaration) and in the EmS Guide index, which points to the applicable pair of Fire/Spillage schedules.
Does the 2024 EmS Guide cover the new sodium-ion batteries?
Yes: the 2024 edition of the IMDG Supplement includes the revised EmS Guide aligned with Amendment 42-24, which introduced the new entries for sodium-ion batteries and battery-powered vehicles.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Lithium Batteries: Thermal Runaway and Fire Response on Board IMDG Code — Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Packaged Form

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