What is EM385 Training and why do I need it?
According to the EM 385-1-1, Safety and Health Requirements Manual, yourself and all employees or contractors who will be present on the worksite will need to complete different levels of EM 385 training depending on your roles and responsibilities.
EM385 training requirements by role and responsibility
Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO)
- The SSHO must have completed the 30-hour OSHA Construction course or an equivalent, 30 hours of formal construction safety and health training covering the same subjects of the OSHA 30-hour course.
- The SSHO is required to complete the longest, 40-Hour EM385 1-1 training course. The SSHO may also be required to complete an 8 hour refresher training annually, depending on the project and contract requirements,
- The SSHO must also have 5 years of continuous construction industry safety experience in supervising/managing general construction.
Collateral Duty Safety Officer (CDSO)
- The CDSO must have completed the 24-hour EM 385 training.
- The CDSO must also have 3 years of continuous general industry safety experience in supervising/managing within the general industries.
All Other employees and contractors
All other workers on government military construction projects must have completed the 16 hour EM385 training. This is an orientation that covers the safety standards you need to comply with on a military or government project.
Other safety requirements for military construction projects
There are also other safety requirements for military construction projects besides the EM 385 training. Some of them are:
- As mentioned, you must comply with the EM 385-1-1, Safety and Health Requirements Manual in its totality, as opposed to just the training elements we have already discussed. The manual is the primary document that establishes the safety and health standards for all military construction projects. This manual covers topics such as hazard analysis, accident prevention, personal protective equipment, fire protection, electrical safety, scaffolding, fall protection, cranes and hoists, explosives, and environmental protection.
- You must also follow the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS), which are the technical criteria and specifications for planning, design, construction, and maintenance of military facilities. These documents provide guidance on building codes, design standards, sustainability, accessibility, security, and quality assurance.
- You must adhere to the 10 U.S. Code Chapter 169 – Military Construction and Military Family Housing, which is the legal authority for carrying out military construction projects. This chapter defines the terms and conditions for authorizing, funding, contracting, executing, and reporting military construction projects.
- You must also demonstrate that you have the skills, knowledge, experience, and organizational capability to carry out the work safely and without risk to health. This may include having relevant qualifications, licenses, certifications, insurance, references, and safety records.
Wrap Up
These are some of the main safety requirements for military construction projects.
However, there may be other specific requirements depending on the nature and scope of your project. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with the contracting officer or the project manager before you start your work. Here at em385.us we provide flexible options for organizations to get their staff EM385 certification in a fast and easy way online.
