Home › Subcontractor & Workforce Planning › Staffing Plans › Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO)
Staffing Plans · Role 2 of 3
Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO): USACE Requirements Under EM 385-1-1
Every USACE job needs a Site Safety and Health Officer who meets the training and experience rules in EM 385-1-1. AAAT3 helps you match the right SSHO to your contract and keep the paperwork current.
The rule
What the requirement says
In plain words: the 2024 edition of EM 385-1-1 sorts SSHOs into three levels. Your contract and the job’s risk decide which level you need. The corporate safety official designates each SSHO on ENG Form 6282. (Source: EM 385-1-1 (effective 15 March 2024))
Key numbers
What the rules say
Starting training for an SSHO: the OSHA 30-hour course, or combined training the contracting officer accepts
EM 385-1-1 (2024)A full-time SSHO needs at least five years of safety experience within the last ten years
EM 385-1-1 (2024)Documented safety and health training needed in each three-year period of the contract
EM 385-1-1 (2024)SSHO levels
Three levels of SSHO
Level 1: Full-time
A full-time safety role. OSHA 30 plus at least five years of safety experience within the last ten.
Level 2: Collateral duty
Safety is part of the job. OSHA 30 plus at least three years of safety experience within the last ten.
Level 3: Designated QP or CP
A designated qualified or competent person. Not allowed on projects with a high or extremely high residual risk.
How we do it
Step by step
Read the contract
Find the SSHO level, how many SSHOs and any alternate requirements.
Match the candidate
Compare training and experience to the level the job needs.
Document it
Collect the resume, OSHA 30 card and training records.
Designate
The corporate safety official signs ENG Form 6282.
Submit with the APP
Send the SSHO designation with the Accident Prevention Plan.
Run the site
Daily inspections, hazard analyses and enforcing the APP.
Keep training current
Track the 24 hours of training needed every three years.
Checklist
What we track and deliver
- SSHO resume checked against the contract
- OSHA 30-hour card
- Training record for the 24-hour requirement
- ENG Form 6282 designation
- Accident Prevention Plan
- Activity Hazard Analyses
- Daily safety inspection reports
- Coverage plan for absences and extra shifts
Common problems
Where this usually goes wrong
Experience does not match
A rejected SSHO can hold up the start of work. We check the resume against the level before you submit.
SSHO doubling as superintendent
Only some levels allow collateral duty. We check your contract before roles are combined.
Training runs out
We track the three-year training window so the SSHO stays qualified.
Paperwork falls behind
We set up daily report templates so records keep up with the work.
Standards
Codes and standards behind this role
7 standardsFederal government requirementIndustry recognized practice
Federal requirements
5- EM 385-1-1
USACE Safety and Occupational Health Requirements (2024)Federal
- ENG Form 6282
SSHO designation formFederal
- FAR 52.236-13
Accident prevention clauseFederal
- UFGS 01 35 26
Governmental safety requirements specificationFederal
- 29 CFR 1926
OSHA construction standardsFederal
Industry practice
2- ANSI/ASSP A10.33
Safety and health programs for multi-employer projectsIndustry
- ISO 45001
Occupational health and safety management systemsIndustry
FAQ
Common questions
Can the superintendent be the SSHO?
Only if the contract allows a collateral-duty SSHO. Jobs that need a full-time SSHO need a separate person.
Does the SSHO need an EM 385-1-1 course?
The manual’s starting point is OSHA 30 or accepted equivalent training. Many contracts also ask for an EM 385-1-1 course, so check the solicitation.
What changed in 2024?
The 2024 edition, effective 15 March 2024, sorts SSHOs into three levels and sets 24 hours of training in each three-year period.
Staffing roles in detail
Explore each staffing role
Get a quote: Site Safety & Health Officer (SSHO)
Tell us about your USACE or federal project, the SSHO level you need and your start date. We reply with a plan and pricing.
Service network