Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP): legal obligations and digital solution

Health and safety at work are major concerns for all companies. They must be treated as a top priority, regardless of company size or sector of activity. In France, the Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP) is the tool that makes it possible to identify, assess, and prevent all occupational hazards. In this article, you will explore the DUERP and its legal obligations, and discover the solution offered by Deemply to simplify the management of the DU (Single Document).

What is the DUERP?

Defining the DUERP

The Single Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP) is mandatory for all French companies that employ at least one staff member. This requirement was established by Decree No. 2001-1016 of November 5, 2001. This document is designed to record the results of health and safety risk assessments for workers. The primary goal of the DUERP is to inventory all potential hazards within the company and implement preventive actions to reduce or eliminate these risks.

The objectives of the DUERP

The main objectives of the DUERP are as follows:

• Prevent occupational risks by identifying and assessing them. For example, the company can implement measures to prevent workplace accidents or occupational illnesses.
• Improve working conditions through an in-depth risk analysis to adapt workstations, procedures, or equipment to enhance employee well-being.

Legal compliance, keeping the DUERP up to date is mandatory as soon as a company has at least one employee. Failure to comply with this obligation can lead to sanctions for the employer.

Legal obligations of the DUERP

Scope of application

As stipulated in Article R4121-1 of the Labor Code, drafting a DUERP is mandatory as soon as a first employee is hired. This obligation applies to all organizations, whether a private company or an industrial or commercial public establishment. Associations are also subject to this obligation.

Updating the DUERP

The Single Occupational Risk Assessment Document must be updated regularly to track the evolution of risks within the company. Various situations require an update, including:

• Changes in working conditions, such as the introduction of new equipment, changes in manufacturing processes, or office reconfigurations, etc.
• The emergence of new risks, such as the use of a new chemical substance, the identification of new psychosocial risks, etc.
• The occurrence of a workplace accident or occupational disease, in which case, following an incident, a risk reassessment is necessary to prevent recurrence.

In any case, the minimum update frequency for the DUERP is once a year for companies with at least 11 employees. For those with fewer than 11 employees, updates are mandatory whenever there is a significant change in working conditions or when additional information is identified during a risk assessment.

Retention and accessibility of the DUERP

The employer must keep the DUERP, along with all successive versions, for a minimum period of 40 years from the date of its creation. This long-term retention, spanning several years, helps ensure the traceability of exposure to occupational risks. This traceability and monitoring is particularly useful in the event of occupational diseases that manifest several years after exposure to the risk.

In all cases, the DUERP must be made available to the following persons:

• Employees
• Members of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE)
• The occupational physician
• Labor inspectors
• Prevention service agents and social security organization representatives

Mandatory notices within the company must indicate where the DUERP can be consulted and how to access it. The DUERP may be made available to stakeholders in either paper or digital format.

Sanctions for non-compliance

Failure to comply with regulatory obligations related to the DUERP exposes the employer to various sanctions. In the event that the DUERP is missing or not updated, the employer may be liable for a fine for 5th-class contraventions, namely^::

• For an individual, the fine can be up to €1,500, and in the event of a repeat offense, the penalty can be increased to €3,000.
• For a legal entity, the fine can be up to €7,500, and increased to €15,000 in the event of a repeat offense.

Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that failing to provide the DUERP to employee representative bodies constitutes an obstruction offense punishable by imprisonment (1 year) and a €3,750 fine.

The Deemply solution and its DUERP

Who is Deemply?

We are an online platform entirely dedicated to the digitization of regulatory obligations related to occupational health and safety. Our environment is designed to adapt to the needs of companies of all sizes and in all sectors. Through our solution, you will have access to an intuitive interface that allows you to centralize and effectively manage all your documents, including the DUERP.

To provide you with a complete ecosystem, we have developed additional modules to complement the DUERP, such as: the fire safety register, building management where you can handle all non-compliant issues, the hot work permit, the prevention plan, the visitor log, the accessibility register and the sanitary logbook launching in 2025.

DUERP module features

The Deemply DUERP module offers a comprehensive range of features designed to simplify the creation, updating, and tracking of your Single Risk Assessment Documents (DUERP). Here is a non-exhaustive list of available features:

• Simplified DUERP creation : Thanks to the various developments by our team, employers can quickly draft a DUERP within our solution. A few clicks are all it takes to create a document that meets legal requirements.
• Real-time updates : By logging into your dashboard, you can make instant changes to your documents. This accessibility allows you to quickly account for new risks as they arise and adapt to changes in work organization.
• Mobile accessibility : With our dedicated mobile app, you can view and edit your DUERP directly from your phone or tablet. This accessibility saves time while out in the field.
• Action plan management : You can view all implemented prevention measures and evaluate their effectiveness with just a few clicks.
• Secure archiving : To ensure DUERP compliance, documents are stored indefinitely within your solution.
• Simplified collaboration : You can grant necessary permissions to the various stakeholders involved (management, HR, employee representatives, occupational health services, etc.), allowing each to view and edit information based on pre-configured access levels.

Why choose Deemply to manage your DUERP?

Significant time savings

By digitizing your DUERP with the Deemply solution, you avoid the administrative burden of paper documents. Thanks to our automation and intuitive interface, you can create and update your DUERP in just a few clicks.

Simplified legal compliance

Our solution was designed to meet occupational health and safety requirements. Using our various tools, you can integrate and record all your regulatory obligations to ensure you meet current standards.

Enhanced security

All data added to your solution is stored on secure servers in France. We guarantee the confidentiality and integrity of the information you enter into your environment. With this secure storage, you are no longer subject to the risks associated with paper documents, which can be lost or damaged. With the Deemply DUERP, you can be sure your document is backed up and accessible at any time.

Improved accessibility

With Deemply, employers, employees, and all staff representative bodies can access data in a simple and intuitive way.

Effective tracking of prevention actions

The Deemply solution goes beyond simple DUERP creation and management. It also allows you to track the progress of the corrective and preventive actions you have implemented. In the "interventions" section, you can manage necessary improvements and request that your technical team or service providers take action. This rigorous tracking will help you improve working conditions for your staff.

Conclusion

The DUERP is an essential document for ensuring the health and safety of workers within a company. Creating and regularly updating it is a legal obligation for employers that requires both rigor and organization. This process can often be complex and time-consuming, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that may lack the resources to manage it effectively.

With the Deemply online solution, managing your DUERP becomes simple, fast, and compliant with regulatory requirements. By centralizing all safety information, streamlining document updates, and providing effective tracking of all measures, we help companies improve employee safety while reducing the risk of penalties.

Choosing Deemply means taking a step toward better workplace risk prevention and ensuring your company's compliance with complete peace of mind.

The Deemply DUERP module