EM 385-1-1 is a set of health and safety requirements that apply to work performed by contractors, employees, military personnel, and others on construction projects, environmental cleanup projects, and other projects under contract with the US Department of Defense (DOD) and supervised by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
EM 385-1-1 Training on USACE Safety & Health Requirements for Contractors
The requirements in EM 385-1-1, Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) Requirements, apply to construction projects, environmental cleanup, and other work contracted by the US Department of Defense (DOD) and overseen by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
EM 385-1-1 Training FAQ
Answers to common questions about EM 385-1-1 training required for contractors, employees, military personnel, and others performing contract work subject to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) health and safety requirements, as revised in 2024.
To work on any project under contract with the US Department of Defense, you will likely need training on the EM 385-1-1 safety and health requirements implemented by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
EM 385-1-1 training is mandatory for:
- Project managers, safety managers, foremen, and others with overall responsibility for employee health and safety and compliance with relevant standards (40 hours)
- Managers, supervisors, and team leaders on sites subject to EM 385-1-1 requirements (24 hours)
- Non supervisor employees at construction or general industry sites subject to EM 385-1-1 requirements (16 hours)
EM 385-1-1 training provided for employees must cover health and safety requirements relevant to the worker’s level of responsibility.
Training on EM 385-1-1 is mandatory for employees performing work contracted by the US Department of Defense, including for:
- Non supervisor employees
- Managers and supervisors
- Site leaders and EH&S professionals with overall responsibility for site health and safety, and regulatory compliance
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a federal agency that provides engineering services. Though it is officially part of the US Army, most of its employees are civilians.
No. Not all government contracts require compliance with EM 385-1-1.
The safety and health requirements in EM 385-1-1 apply to work performed under contract with the US Department of Defense (DOD) and overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers, including construction projects, environmental cleanup projects, and others.
Government contract projects subject to EM 385-1-1 requirements include:
- Construction on military installations
- Service/maintenance of military equipment or on military installations
- Environmental projects/hazardous substance cleanup at sites designated for remediation by the Department of Defense
The 40-hour EM 385-1-1 course provides comprehensive training in the USACE safety and health requirements for construction and general industry workplaces operating under contract with the US Department of Defense.
40-hour EM 385-1-1 training is appropriate for professionals with overall responsibility for employees’ health and safety, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Site Safety and Health Officer or SSHO. Job titles for employees with this level of responsibility may include project manager, safety manager, facilities manager, foreman, and others.
The 24-hour EM 385-1-1 course provides training on USACE safety and health requirements for construction and general industry workplaces operating under contract with the US Department of Defense.
24-hour EM 385 training is intended for employees in manager, supervisor, and team lead job roles on projects contracted with the US Department of Defense and overseen by USACE. For Collateral Duty Safety Officers (CDSOs), certification maintenance requirements include 24 hours of training on relevant topics once every three years.
The 16-hour EM 385-1-1 course provides training on USACE safety and health requirements in EM 385-1-1 (as revised in 2024) for construction and general industry workplaces operating under contract with the US Department of Defense.
16-hour EM 385 training is intended to satisfy the basic requirement for training on these USACE rules for non-supervisor employees such as general laborers, equipment operators, and others.

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.
Danny Province
EHS Professional
The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.
Steve Gall
Safety Leader
I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.
Rebecca Saxena
Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist
Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.
Marty Brownfield
Hazardous Waste Professional
Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.
Jim Jani
Environmental Coordinator
The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.
Mary Sue Michon
Environmental Administrator
The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.
Linda Arlen
Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer
I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!
George Chatman
Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician
These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!
Ed Grzybowski
EHS & Facility Engineer
The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.
Tom Berndt
HSE Coordinator
Download Our Latest Whitepaper
Your hazmat paperwork is the first thing a DOT inspector will ask for during an inspection. From hazmat training records to special permits, make sure your hazmat documents are in order.

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.