EM 385-1-1 Refresher Training Courses
Stay Current with EM 385 Refresher Training
- Choose chapter-based refresher topics.
- Meet recurring role-based hour requirements.
- Complete training online at your own pace.
- Track completion in your OSHAcademy dashboard.
EM 385-1-1 Refresher Courses
EM 385-1-1 refresher training helps Supervisors maintain effective oversight, reinforce safe work practices, and respond to changing site hazards. It helps Contractor Designated Safety Officers (CDSOs) stay current on compliance duties, documentation expectations, and contractor safety management responsibilities. It also helps Site Safety and Health Officers (SSHOs) sustain required qualifications, strengthen hazard-control decisions, and support day-to-day EM 385-1-1 implementation across project operations.
Important:
These courses are for EM 385-1-1 refresher training only.
They do not count toward initial training or the EM 385-1-1 (2024) 40-hour
program offered by OSHAcademy.
Step 1 Confirm your required refresher hours
Your employer, contract, or site requirements determine how many refresher hours you need. Please refer to the table listed below for assistance.
Step 2 Choose your courses (any combination)
Pick the refresher topics that best match your role and the work you perform. You can take any mix of refresher courses - there is no required order.
Step 3 Maintain required refresher training hours
Add courses until your completed training time meets (or exceeds) the required hours for your role:
- Contractor Designated Safety Officer (CDSOs) must complete 24 hours of Safety and Occupational Health (SOH)-related training every 4 years
- Site Safety and Health Officers (SSHOs) must complete an annual 8-hour refresher
- Supervisors must complete 24 hours of SOH-related training every 3 years
Need initial 40-hour training?
Enroll in the 40-hour EM 385-1-1 (2024) program (all five required courses), and purchase the program certificate package.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the basic EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health Manual training requirements?
EM 385-1-1 Training Requirements
Initial and refresher requirements vary by position and are typically computer-based or classroom training on topics like hazard identification, activity hazard analyses (AHAs), personal protective equipment (PPE), fall protection, and accident prevention. Certificates from approved courses do not expire, but employers or contracts often mandate refreshers to maintain compliance.
| Role | Initial Training | Refresher Frequency & Duration | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) | 40 hours | Annual; at least 8 hours of documented safety and health coursework | Must cover EM 385-1-1 core concepts (e.g., program management, medical/first aid, material handling). Required for full-time SSHOs on USACE projects. |
| Contractor Designated Safety Officer (CDSO) | Varies (typically 40 hours) | Every 4 years; 24 hours of retraining | Focuses on enforcement and oversight; may include multiple classes. |
| Supervisor, Crew Leader, or Manager | 24 hours | Every 3 years; 24 hours of SOH-related training (can be split across classes) | Coordinated with SSHO; adjustable based on site hazards (e.g., hazardous energy control). |
| Non-Supervisory Employee or General Contractor | 16 hours | No formal requirement, but recommended periodically | Employers may specify based on contract; useful for awareness on federally funded sites. |
Additional Guidelines
- Content Focus: Refreshers must align with the manual's sections, such as Sections 1 (Program Management), 5 (PPE), 14 (Material Handling), 21 (Fall Protection), 24 (Safe Access), and 25 (Excavations). Training should address site-specific hazards via AHAs and PHAs.
- Delivery: Online, classroom, or hybrid formats are acceptable if they meet USACE standards. No federal approval of specific providers, but courses must comply with the 2024 manual.
- Verification: Maintain records of completion; supervisors or project managers verify adequacy.
- Variations: Requirements can be adjusted for project-specific risks (e.g., diving, blasting). Always consult your employer, contracting officer, or the latest manual for site-specific needs.
What is the best way to complete refresher training?
Complete the refresher training listed in the training table above. You may take our online refresher courses in any order and at your own pace during the required training period. Make sure you complete at least the total number of hours required for your position. Paid students will receive a certificate, transcript, training record card, and exam results in the requested format (PDF and/or printed).
Do these courses count toward the OSHAcademy 40-hour EM 385-1-1 program?
No. These individual courses are not part of the OSHAcademy 40-hour EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health program. They are individual courses intended to be taken to satisfy the EM 385-1-1 annual refresher training.
When I complete an EM 385-1-1 refresher course, will I receive a training certificate?
Yes, if you have purchased a training certificate package before taking the course. Otherwise, if you complete the course and final exam before buying a training certificate package, your exam score will be saved in our training system, allowing you to purchase a training certificate package whenever you choose.
Is OSHAcademy's 40-hour EM 385-1-1 Safety and Health program "approved?"
The federal government, including OSHA, USACE and NAVFAC, does not officially "approve" instruction or training. It is always the employer's responsibility to approve the training their employees receive. Our training is based on the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Safety and Occupational Health Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1, 2024). Successful completion of the OSHAcademy EM 385-1-1 Program and individual refresher courses complies with the requirements established for EM 385-1-1 awareness-level online training. Government requirements mandate only that you must be educated in and comply with established safety standards as detailed in OSHA Publication 2254, Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and OSHA Publication 3824, Resource for Development and Delivery of Training For Workers .