8-Hour EM 385-1-1 Refresher Training (Updated for 2024)

The EM 385 8-Hour Refresher course is a training program designed to refresh the knowledge and skills of individuals working in the construction industry, particularly those involved in projects governed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). EM 385 refers to the safety and health requirements manual published by the USACE, which outlines standards and guidelines for construction projects.

This refresher course is essential for individuals who have previously completed the full EM 385 training and need to renew their certification. It ensures that participants stay up-to-date with current safety practices and regulations in the construction industry, helping to minimize workplace accidents and injuries. Additionally, it may be required by employers or project managers as part of their safety protocols.

What is 8-Hour EM 385-1-1 Training?

EM 385-1-1 is the manual released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that outlines health and safety standards you must follow when working on military projects. 

The manual also states that if you are a Site Safety Health Officers (SSHO), you must complete 8 hours of safety and health coursework each year. Our 8-Hour EM 385-1-1 Training satisfies this requirement.

The course refreshes you on the core safety concepts you need to understand from the EM 385-1-1 manual. You’ll learn valuable safety tips and best practices that will help you keep your construction site safe while reducing injuries and accidents.

Who Should Take 8-Hour EM 385-1-1 Training? 

This course was designed for Site Safety Health Officers (SSHOs) who need their annual training or anyone else who needs a refresher on the essential elements of the EM 385 manual.

• Introduction
• Lesson 1: Safety and Occupational Health Program Management for USACE Personnel (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 1)
• Lesson 2: Safety and Occupational Health Program Management for Contractors (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 2)
• Lesson 3: Medical and First Aid (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 3)
• Lesson 4: Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 5)
• Lesson 5: Electrical (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 11)
• Lesson 6: Hand and Power Tools (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 13)
• Lesson 7: Material Handling, Storage, Disposal, and Conveyors (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 14)
• Lesson 8: Fall Protection (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 21)
• Lesson 9: Safe Access (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 24)
• Lesson 10: Excavation and Trenching (EM 385-1-1 Chapter 25)

Upon completion of this course, the participants will learn about: 

• The responsibilities of Site Safety & Health Officers (SSHOs), Collateral Duty Safety Officers (CDSOs), and other project personnel performing work on Federal construction, service, and environmental contracts.
• How to assess unsafe worksite conditions. 
• How to properly prepare a site-specific Accident Prevention Plan (APP). 
• Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) forms and their development. 
• Site personnel training, incident response and reporting procedures, jobsite auditing, and hazard communication.

Students taking this online course will learn the following topics. More detailed and focused objectives are described within the content of each of the topics. 

1. Select and use the appropriate PPE on USACE contracts and contracts executed under EM 385-1-1. 
2. Describe the proper methods for material handling, storage, and disposal. 
3. Describe the proper equipment and methods for fall protection. 
4. Explain the requirements for safe access, use of ladders, and protection for floor and wall openings. 
5. Describe the proper methods for protection during excavation and trenching activities. 
6. Describe the safe use of hand and power tools.