EM 385-1-1 Training
Work on a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project and the rulebook changes. EM 385-1-1, the USACE Safety and Health Requirements Manual, sits on top of OSHA and is frequently stricter. Contractors who show up trained to 29 CFR alone find that out at the worst possible moment, standing in front of a government inspector with a plan that does not meet the manual.
M Squared Safety delivers EM 385-1-1 training on-site across California, taught by instructors who work federal and commercial jobs and know where the two rulebooks diverge.
24-Hour EM 385-1-1
The 24-hour course covers the EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Requirements Manual for contractors performing work on USACE projects. It walks the manual's structure and the sections that govern day-to-day field work, including program management and accident prevention plans, hazard analysis, fall protection, excavation, electrical, cranes and rigging, and the documentation the government expects to see on site.
Built for site safety personnel, superintendents, foremen, and quality control staff carrying safety responsibility on federal contracts.
8-Hour Fall Protection Refresher
The 8-hour refresher updates the person responsible for your fall protection program on federal work. It follows EM 385-1-1 Section 21, the ANSI/ASSP Z359.2 managed fall protection program requirements, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M.
The course covers program elements, hazard survey and anchorage evaluation, system selection and inspection, rescue planning, and the documentation that has to exist before work starts at height. It is built for someone who has already had the full fall protection training and needs to stay current.
How EM 385-1-1 differs from OSHA
EM 385-1-1 adopts OSHA as a floor and then goes further in places, with more prescriptive requirements for accident prevention plans, activity hazard analyses, and qualifications for the people filling safety roles. The practical consequence is that a crew trained only to 29 CFR can still be non-compliant on a Corps job. We teach the delta, not just the manual in isolation.
Who needs it
General and specialty contractors on USACE projects, site safety and health personnel, superintendents and foremen, and quality control staff whose scope includes safety. If your contract references EM 385-1-1, this is the training the specification is pointing at.
A note on competent person designations
EM 385-1-1, like OSHA, requires competent and qualified persons for specific operations. OSHA defines a competent person at 29 CFR 1926.32(f) as someone capable of identifying hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective measures. Training builds the capability. The authority comes from the employer, so the designation stays with your company.
Delivered on-site
We bring EM 385-1-1 training to your site anywhere in California, scheduled around the project. Call 949-954-6581.
EM 385-1-1 FAQ
What is EM 385-1-1?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual. It governs safety on USACE projects and applies on top of OSHA requirements.
How long are the courses?
The initial contractor course is 24 hours, built on the EM 385-1-1 manual. The Fall Protection refresher is 8 hours and follows EM 385-1-1 Section 21, ANSI/ASSP Z359.2, and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M.
Do I need EM 385 training if my crew already has OSHA 30?
Usually yes. The OSHA 30 covers 29 CFR. EM 385-1-1 adds requirements above that baseline, and federal contracts reference the manual specifically. Many USACE roles expect both.
Is the training available on-site in California?
Yes, anywhere in the state. Call 949-954-6581 to schedule.