The DUERP: The Essential Element of a Successful Prevention Approach

You're here because you've heard about the DUERP and you're wondering: What is it, who needs it, and how do I do it right without losing my mind? Good news: this guide keeps things simple, practical, and very real. Whether you're running a small business or a larger company, the DUERP (Single Document for the Assessment of Occupational Risks) is not just a formality. It's the backbone of your prevention strategy and your plan to protect people at work.

Here's The Short Version You Might Be Hoping For

The DUERP is a legal must-have in France for every employer. It lists work risks, ranks them, and sets actions to reduce them. Do it once, update it often, share it with your team, and tie it to a real prevention plan.

We'll explain what the DUERP Online is, who it's for, how to carry out a risk assessment step-by-step, what the "dematerialized DUERP" means under the recent SST (occupational health) reform, and how digital tools can make the whole thing faster and clearer. We'll also share links and tips so you can move from "I should do this" to "Done."

What is DUERP?

The DUERP (Unique risk evaluation document) is the single reference that centralizes your professional risk assessment. It's where you note hazards, evaluate their severity and likelihood, and decide on prevention actions.

Why It Matters (Beyond The Legal Angle):

1. It helps you reduce accidents and absences.
2. It gives managers and teams a shared picture of what's risky and what to fix first.
3. It turns "we'll get to it someday" into a clear action plan with deadlines and owners.

Info Box: The DUERP is not a one-time exercise. It must be updated regularly—typically at least once a year, and any time you change processes, equipment, premises, or after an incident.

Quick Tip: Use plain language. If a risk reads like a riddle, no one will act on it. Keep each risk description to one simple sentence.

Who is the DUERP Intended for?

Short answer: Every employer in France, regardless of size or industry. If someone works for you, you need a DUERP.

But the DUERP consultation goes beyond "the boss." Several audiences should be able to consult it:

How Is a Risk Assessment Carried Out?

Think of the DUERP professional risk evaluation document as a project with five simple phases. You can start small and improve over time.

1) Prepare The Ground

2. Involve people who know the real work: managers, H&S reps, frontline staff.
3. Collect past data: incidents, near misses, and absenteeism patterns.

2) Spot Hazards (What Can Cause Harm?)

1. Physical (machinery, noise), chemical (solvents), biological (contact with patients), ergonomic (repetitive strain), psychosocial (workload, conflicts), and environmental (heat, cold).
2. Don't forget "organisational" hazards: schedules, training gaps, workload peaks.

Warnings Box: If you only copy a generic list without checking actual tasks, you'll miss real problems. Go to the field, watch the job, and ask: "What's the trickiest part of your day?"

3) Evaluate Risks (How Bad, How Likely?)

Use a simple risk matrix (1–5 for severity and 1–5 for probability). Multiply them to get a priority score.

Example Risk Matrix (Keep It Simple):

Definition

Priority Score = S × P

Higher scores jump to the front of your action plan.

Danger Box: Never let a high-severity risk sit just because it feels unlikely. If the worst-case is life-changing, act fast even if the probability is low.

4) Plan Actions (From Quick Wins to Structural Changes)

Use the prevention hierarchy:

Quick Tip: For each action, name an owner, a deadline, and a metric (e.g., "Noise ≤ 80 dB at operator position"). No owner = no action.

5) Document, Share, And Review

1. Record risks per work unit, with scores and actions.
2. Publish the DUERP where people can access it.
3. Review at least annually and after any change or incident.

Info Box: Tie your DUERP to real follow-up: monthly safety walks, toolbox talks, and incident debriefs. The DUERP is a living document, not a drawer ornament.

Dema terialized DUERP, A Requirement of The SST Reform

Recent occupational health reforms in France introduced rules about dematerializing and retaining the DUERP over time, and making it accessible via a dedicated system. The idea is to ensure traceability and easier DUERP consultation across the company's history.

What this means for you:

How Can Digital Technology Simplify Prevention Procedures?

Digital tools can turn your DUERP risk assessment document from a chore into a steady, repeatable process.

Benefits You'll Feel Quickly

What to Look for in A DUERP Tool?

A Simple Table to Guide Your Setup

Success Box: Pick one tool, one owner, and one monthly check-in. Small, steady steps beat "perfect next year."

Conclusion

The DUERP is not paperwork for paperwork's sake. It's your prevention compass. With a clear structure, simple scoring, and a tight action plan, you protect people and keep work flowing smoothly. The law requires it, but your day-to-day operations will thank you too.

Key takeaways:

1. Every employer needs a DUERP, kept current and accessible.
2. Focus on simple steps: identify → score → act → review.
3. Dematerialize and keep your versions.
4. Use digital tools to cut admin time and boost results.

Learn More

Quality Approach and Risk Management: How to Create Your DUERP?