EM 385-1-1 Training for Contractors on USACE Projects

Engineers Manual 385-1-1 or “EM 385-1-1” is an all-encompassing manual of health and safety requirements for contractors and others who work on construction sites, environmental cleanup sites, and other job sites supervised by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Strict adherence to EM 385-1-1 is crucial to success when working under Federal contract and USACE supervision. 

EM 385-1-1 Training Requirements 

Training on the requirements in EM 385-1-1, Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) Requirements, is mandatory for contractors, employees, military personnel, and others working on contract projects subject to these requirements. How many hours of training are required, and what that training must cover, varies based on each worker’s level of responsibility and specific job tasks.

• 16 hours of training on EM 385-1-1 is appropriate for non-supervisor employees at construction site or general industry sites subject to EM 385-1-1.

• 24 hours of training on EM 385-1 is appropriate for managers, supervisors, and team leaders on sites subject to these standards. 

• 40 hours of training on EM 385-1-1 is appropriate for professionals with overall responsibility for workplace health and safety on projects overseen by USACE. This can include superintendents, foremen, and others, including the Site Safety and Health Officer or SSHO. 

Any additional training or refresher training needed for an employee should be determined by the Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) on site. The EM 385-1-1 training provided for employees must cover health and safety requirements relevant to the worker’s level of responsibility. 

What Does EM 385-1-1 Cover?

The types of government/military contract projects subject to EM 385-1-1 typically include: 

• Construction activity performed under USACE supervision
• Service/maintenance of military equipment or on military installations
• Environmental projects/hazardous substance cleanup at sites designated for remediation by the Department of Defense (DOD), under USACE supervision. 

The EM 385-1-1 manual addresses topics also covered by OSHA Standards for the construction industry (29 CFR Part 1924) and general industry (29 CFR Part 1910), as well as other broadly applicable health and safety regulations and laws.

Health and safety topics covered in EM 385-1-1 include, but are not limited to: 

Unique USACE Requirements in EM 385-1-1

While EM 385-1-1 covers many of the same topics as some other regulations and/or consensus standards, it also contains unique requirements implemented by the military that must be followed on sites supervised by USACE. These unique requirements for military contract sites can be more stringent than what is required by OSHA. 

This is one reason that training specific to the EM 385-1-1 requirements is essential to work on covered military sites. To obtain contracts for these types of projects, employers must have a plan in place to ensure compliance with the requirements of EM 385-1-1, including the rules for training employees. For more information about EM 385-1-1 training and courses available, visit Lion.com/EM385.