EM 385-1-1 (USACE Safety & Health)

First published: September 2, 2026Last verified: September 2, 2026Reviewed by the CertQuestUSA team

TL;DR

EM 385-1-1 (USACE Safety & Health): a 25-question practice bank for the real OSHA Safety & Health standard, 1 full paper of 22 questions each with no repeats, every question citing the real regulation it comes from.

Not sure where you stand? Take the free diagnostic — 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.

Start diagnostic

1

full paper

22

questions per paper

25

questions in the bank

What this exam covers

Accident Prevention Plan and Activity Hazard Analysis13%
Applicability, Contract Requirements and Manual Structure22%
Inspections and Accident Reporting20%
SSHO Qualification and Roles & Responsibilities45%

5 real sample questions

OSHA arrives on site to conduct an inspection. What must the contractor do first?

A. Immediately notify the KO or COR and the local SOHO of the inspection

B. Say nothing until the inspection is fully complete

C. Only notify the contractor's own insurance broker

D. Wait 30 days before informing anyone

Source: 2-5

EM 385-1-1 applies to construction contract work performed under which FAR clause?

A. FAR Clause 52.236-13

B. FAR Clause 52.219-14

C. FAR Clause 52.204-21

D. There is no FAR clause tying the manual to construction contracts

Source: Applicability

A contract was awarded under the 2014 edition of EM 385-1-1 and is still active after the 15 March 2024 edition took effect. Which edition applies to that existing contract?

A. The previous (2014) edition continues to apply until contract completion

B. The 2024 edition automatically applies retroactively the moment it is published

C. Whichever edition the contractor's own safety officer personally prefers

D. Neither edition applies once a newer one is published

Source: Applicability

The 2024 edition of EM 385-1-1 gives every chapter the same uniform ten-section layout. Which of these is one of those ten standard sections?

A. XX-6, Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) Requirements

B. XX-11, Vendor Purchase Orders

C. XX-15, Corporate Marketing Materials

D. XX-0, Executive Summary

Source: 2-1 through 2-10

What changed about the term "Government Designated Authority (GDA)" in the 2024 edition?

A. GDA is no longer used in the manual; that responsibility now sits with the KO/COR

B. GDA was renamed but every duty stayed exactly the same under the new name

C. GDA authority was expanded to cover subcontractor payroll decisions

D. GDA became a title contractors must create internally on every project

Source: Applicability

Frequently asked questions

What is the EM 385-1-1 practice exam format on CertQuestUSA?

The EM 385-1-1 practice exam consists of a 25-question bank that generates 1 full practice paper of 22 questions, with no repeats between papers. Every question cites the specific real regulation it comes from, ensuring you study the exact USACE Safety & Health standard language.

What topics are covered on the EM 385-1-1 certification test?

The exam covers four key areas: SSHO Qualification and Roles & Responsibilities (45% of questions), Applicability, Contract Requirements and Manual Structure (22%), Inspections and Accident Reporting (20%), and Accident Prevention Plan and Activity Hazard Analysis (13%).

What is a real sample EM 385-1-1 question I might see?

A typical question asks: "OSHA arrives on site to conduct an inspection. What must the contractor do first?" The correct answer is to immediately notify the KO or COR and the local SOHO of the inspection, per section 2-5 of the manual.