Who Needs EM385 Refresher Training?

By Abbie Geigle

EM385-1-1 safety and health training is commonly connected to federal, military, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-related projects. For many workers, completing initial EM385 training is an important first step. But as job duties, project hazards, and safety expectations change, some workers may need to review specific topics to stay current.

That is where EM385 refresher training can help.

EM385 refresher training is designed for students who have already completed initial EM385 training and need to review selected safety and health topics. Rather than retaking the full program, students can choose refresher courses by EM385 chapter and focus on the areas most relevant to their role, jobsite hazards, employer requirements, or continuing training needs.

Refresher Training Is Not Initial Training

Before choosing refresher courses, it is important to understand the difference between refresher and initial training.

Initial EM385 training is for students who are new to EM385 requirements or need to complete the full EM385-1-1 program.

Refresher training is for students who have already completed initial EM385 training and need to revisit specific topics.

Students who need initial EM385 training should complete a full EM385 program instead of taking individual refresher courses.

Who May Need EM385 Refresher Training?

1. Workers Who Have Already Completed EM385 Training

The most obvious audience is someone who has already completed initial EM385 training.

A worker may want to refresh important safety topics before starting a new project, returning to EM385-related work, or working around hazards they have not encountered recently.

Common refresher topics may include fall protection, excavation and trenching, PPE, electrical safety, scaffolding, rigging, load handling equipment, and medical and first aid.

2. Contractors Working on Federal or Military Projects

Contractors and subcontractors working on projects where EM385-1-1 applies may need to maintain a strong understanding of EM385 safety expectations.

Refresher training can be useful when moving from one project to another, returning to federal or military work, or preparing for jobsite hazards connected to a specific project.

For example, a contractor working around elevated surfaces, trenches, cranes, or temporary electrical systems may need to review the chapters related to those hazards.

3. Site Safety and Health Officers

Site Safety and Health Officers, safety managers, and safety coordinators often support safety planning, hazard recognition, training, and communication across a jobsite.

Because their responsibilities may cover many different hazard areas, refresher training can help them revisit the EM385 chapters that apply to upcoming projects or recurring site risks.

For example, a safety professional preparing for a project involving excavation, lifting operations, and work at heights may choose refresher topics related to excavation and trenching, rigging, load handling equipment, and fall protection.

4. Supervisors and Competent Persons

Supervisors and competent persons often need a clear understanding of the hazards connected to the work they oversee.

Rather than reviewing every topic, they may benefit from targeted refresher training in the areas tied directly to their responsibilities.

A supervisor overseeing scaffold work may review scaffolding. A competent person involved in trenching may review excavation and trenching. A foreman responsible for crews working at heights may review fall protection.

5. Workers Moving Into New Roles

A worker’s training needs may change when their role changes.

Someone moving into a lead, supervisory, safety, or equipment-related position may need to refresh topics they did not use regularly in their previous role. Refresher training can help connect past EM385 training with current job responsibilities.

6. Employers Managing Ongoing Training Needs

Employers may use EM385 refresher training as part of a broader safety training plan.

Instead of assigning the same review to every employee, employers can choose topics based on job duties, work activities, and project conditions.

For example:

• Field crews may need fall protection, PPE, and excavation refresher topics.
• Equipment operators may need load handling equipment and material handling topics.
• Supervisors may need safety planning, jobsite control, and hazard-specific refreshers.
• Workers involved in scaffolding may need scaffolding-specific training.

This makes refresher training more relevant to each employee’s actual work.

How to Choose EM385 Refresher Topics

Choosing refresher topics should start with a few practical questions:

• Have you already completed initial EM385 training?
• What type of work will you be doing?
• What hazards are present on the jobsite?
• What topics does your employer require?
• Are you preparing for a new project or moving into a new role?

The answers can help determine which EM385 chapters are most relevant.

The Bottom Line

EM385 refresher training is for students who have already completed initial EM385 training and need to review specific safety and health topics.

It may be useful for workers, contractors, supervisors, safety personnel, and employers who want targeted training based on role, project hazards, employer requirements, or continuing training needs.

Students who need initial EM385 training should complete the full EM385 program. Students who have already completed initial training can use chapter-based refresher courses to stay current on the topics most relevant to their work.

Need to refresh specific EM385 topics?
Explore OSHAcademy’s EM385 refresher course catalog and choose chapter-based refresher courses that fit your role, jobsite hazards, and training needs.