EM 385-1-1 2024 Manual Update: What You Need To Know
USACE safety requirements update
Understanding the 2024 EM 385-1-1 Manual Update
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the 2024 edition of its EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Requirements Manual, effective March 15, 2024. It superseded the 2014 edition and includes significant changes relevant to safety management on USACE and other government construction projects where the manual is incorporated into the contract.
2024 edition · Effective March 15, 2024
2024 manual changes
What Is New in the 2024 EM 385-1-1 Manual?
The 2024 edition reorganises the manual into 37 focused chapters and brings several newer work activities and safety-management expectations into a clearer structure.
Rope Access
Addresses safety protocols, planning, equipment, and personnel considerations for work that uses rope-access techniques.
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
Introduces safety expectations for drone or uncrewed-aircraft operations undertaken within the scope of covered projects.
Emergency Operations
Sets out safety-management considerations and procedures for emergency operations connected with USACE projects.
The revised structure makes it easier to identify the training, qualifications, and responsibilities relevant to particular personnel and activities.
The manual reflects the USACE Safety and Occupational Health Management System approach, supporting more systematic planning, hazard control, and accountability.
Readers can more readily locate project-planning expectations, including the information that may need to appear in safety plans and task-specific controls.
Reorganisation helps limit repetitive material and circular references, making the manual more practical to use alongside contract and site documentation.
Selected 2024 changes
New and Updated Safety Requirements
The revised manual adds or clarifies safety expectations in several specialist areas. The requirements that apply will depend on the work being performed, the project’s contract terms, and the hazards identified through planning.
Blasting
Clearer expectations for the Blaster-in-Charge role and the development of comprehensive explosive-site safety plans.
Fire Prevention and Protection
Enhanced protocols for fire watches and associated protective measures where fire hazards are present.
Loading and Handling Equipment
Requirements addressing medical evaluations for personnel operating specified loading and handling equipment.
Sanitation
Greater emphasis on food-service worker training, pest control, and effective extermination planning where applicable.
Vehicles and Mechanized Equipment
A stronger focus on defensive-driving training for personnel operating specified vehicles, machinery, and equipment.
Using the revised manual
Key Differences for End Users of the 2024 EM 385-1-1 Manual
The central purpose of EM 385-1-1 remains the same: helping projects identify hazards, establish controls, and protect personnel. The 2024 edition changes how users navigate, compare, and apply that information.
More Detailed Reference Material
The revised manual is substantially longer, reflecting additional chapters and expanded guidance for particular activities, procedures, and safety topics.
Changes Are Easier to Locate
New or modified text is underlined, giving readers familiar with the 2014 edition a practical starting point when comparing the updated requirements.
Greater Focus on Training
More clearly defined training and qualification information reinforces the need to match personnel, responsibilities, and safety knowledge to the work being performed.
EM 385-1-1 online training
Get EM 385 Training for Your Role
Keeping safety knowledge current is important on projects that incorporate EM 385-1-1 requirements. Our online training is built around the 2024 manual and includes options for more in-depth training and refresher learning where required by your role, employer, or contract.
We believe trainees should be able to try training before they buy—preview the demonstration chapter below.
