EM 385-1-1 vs. OSHA Standards: Key Differences Explained

Navigating safety regulations can be a complex journey, with federal, state, and industry-specific requirements adding layers of complication. While not every individual or organization may require every type of safety training, there's often significant overlap, particularly between OSHA and EM385 requirements. Despite their similarities, it's important to understand the nuances that differentiate them.

Read more below to find out where these organizations differ, where they overlap, and which standards you need to follow.

What Is EM 385-1-1?

EM385-1-1 is the Safety and Health Requirements Manual maintained by the US Corps of Engineers (USACE) for Department of Defense projects. Compliance with EM385-1-1 is crucial for contractors, project managers, and those who uphold EM385 regulations. It mandates that contractors:

• Fulfill federal and state requirements
• Complete safety, quality, and environmental compliance courses
• Be eligible to manage the contract, including ensuring adherence to safety and health regulations.

EM 385-1-1 is designed to guarantee that personnel obtain the appropriate training to fulfill recertification needs and USACE safety and health standards. Training covers key topics specifically involving DoD and military standards, such as:

• Identifying inspection regulations
• Applying these standards to prevent hazards and accidents
• Selecting appropriate engineering controls, safety monitoring systems, and personal protective equipment for USACE-contracted work
• Explaining best practices for safe equipment use during various tasks.

When contractors operate under EM385 regulations, they're essentially working directly for the government. This means not only are the standards stricter, but the penalties for not following them are also more severe. Additionally, there's increased scrutiny on the actions of contracted groups compared to when they're not working directly for the Department of Defense (DoD) or the military. Projects may involve national security, heightening the importance of contractors adhering to regulations and exercising greater caution.

What Is OSHA?

OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In 1970, Congress established OSHA as a way to guarantee safe and healthy working conditions in every field. OSHA’s objective is to protect workers from occupational injury, illness, and death. Today, OSHA ensures safe workplaces for over 130 million Americans in industries like manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and construction, with mandatory OSHA training for all workers exposed to job hazards.

Health and safety training is crucial for worker safety because it enables effective risk identification and mitigation. OSHA’s standards apply to both private and public sector employees, though there are exceptions for special circumstances and programs.

Employers are directed by OSHA to provide safe working environments and training on necessary safety information, and OSHA enforces its standards as well. They do this by scheduled and surprise inspections, investigations, citations, and fines. If they find a violation and it is not remedied by a certain date, fines can exceed $10,000 per day.

Comparing EM 385-1-1 and OSHA Standards

EM 385-1-1 and OSHA regulations work from different sets of rules. Both focus on occupational safety and health for construction and demolition workers, but EM 385 courses instruct directly from the USACE Engineer's Manual, while OSHA training focuses on 29 CFR 1926 and parts of §1910.

While OSHA and USACE health and safety standards share many similarities, EM 385 regulations are notably more strict, especially regarding planning, documentation, inspections, and safety management. Military operations, equipment, and systems, including military aircraft, missiles, artillery, tanks, and tactical vehicles, are exempt from OSHA standards and thereby fall under EM 385.

All private sector construction workers must complete OSHA training, but private contractors who win federal bids and members of USACE must have EM 385-1-1 certification. Some construction workers in the private sector could require both kinds of training.

Technical criteria in some areas are exactly the same as those in EM385 and OSHA's 29 CFR 1926. This includes plumb, level, planked scaffolds, flexible electrical wires approved for harsh service usage, guarding moving equipment and machinery, and personal protective equipment.

As stated previously, stricter technical requirements are required by EM385 to emphasize the need for job site inspections and staff training in averting mishaps. This makes employee education vital, and special attention needs to be paid to training staff members on potential risks and the necessary safety measures to reduce them, especially for those that are not immediately apparent.

A contractor can have their contract canceled if they break any of the provisions of EM385. The handbook is a vital tool since it is intended to assist you in adhering to the particular guidelines and policies of EM385. A contracting officer has the power to halt activities and impose a $2,000 daily penalty if you are discovered to be in violation.

Why Training Is Important

Differences aside, OSHA and EM 385-1-1 were founded with the same goal in mind – to keep workers safe. OSHA and EM385 enforce safe working regulations and correct dangerous or hazardous conditions. The most effective way to combat this is through educating and training businesses and employees on how to prevent accidents and injuries.

That means that both EM385 and OSHA training are vital for employee safety. Effective training and regular training refreshes lower the risk of workplace accidents, increases employee retention, and encourages safe and healthy work practices. Enroll in OSHA.com's 40-hour EM 385-1-1 USACE Safety & Health course to gain a thorough understanding about EM385 standards. We also offer courses on General Industry and Construction for OSHA 10 and OSHA 30. Check out our catalog to find the course that is right for you.