The Single Document on Occupational Risk Assessment (DUER): a decision-making tool
1. Risk, danger: what are we talking about? 2. DUER, decision-making tool 3. Objectives: inform, protect 4. Which company is concerned? Who carries out the DUER? 5. When to Perform DUER? 6. Form and Content of DUER 7. How to Perform DUER? 8. To whom should the DUER be sent, to whom?
1. Risk, danger: what are we talking about?
The risk is the possibility of impairing or altering a person’s physical or psychological health in the eyes of a danger which is the source of this risk. Thus, the risk assessment consists of examining the conditions of exposure of employees to a hazard and the probability of occurrence of a risk. The risk is estimated in terms of the likelihood and severity of the consequences of a given hazard.
2. DUER as a decision-making tool
The DUER is a decision-making tool. It is the result of the assessment, in an approach involving all staff, exposed to risks related to hazards. This assessment is carried out in accordance with the principles of prevention and is transcribed and updated by the employer in a “single document for the assessment of occupational hazards” (article L4121-1 of the labour code) known as a “single document”. This document, made mandatory by decree in 2002, brings together the inventory of risks identified by work unit*, the assessment of these risks, the existing measures and those envisaged to reduce the risks identified. The absence of DUER is punishable by criminal penalties, namely a €1500 fine (€3000 in case of recurrence). The DUER and the prevention program are insurance against criminal risk!
Work unit. There is no standard definition of this expression used in the Labour Code (Article R. 4121-1) and which is the basis of the inventory of the risks of the enterprise or establishment. The delimitation of the work unit is therefore done on a case-by-case basis, with regard to the activity of the enterprise: the work unit is a group of employees who are exposed to similar risks or who meet uniform conditions of risk exposure » as defined by the national agency for the improvement of working conditions (ANACT). The ANACT reminds that the approach concerns all employees (permanent or not, and including staff outside the company) and that the division of work units is carried out with the actors of the company, employees must recognise themselves as belonging to the same risk exposure group, and the work units are the result of an internal company social debate, which can be prepared by internal or external occupational safety and health inspectors. (card https://www.anact.en/node/5938) |
The DUER is based on an assessment approach and an inventory of work situations and risks, the significance and criticality of which are assessed. It consists of identifying problems, classifying them and prioritising them to decide and take preventive measures adapted to risk situations at technical, human and organizational level.
Texts: Articles L.4121-2 and L.4121-3, R.4121-1 to R. 4121-4 and R.4741-1 of the Labour Code.
3. Objectives: inform, protect
To remember :the DUER is not meant to exist for itself. From the beginning it must be considered as a decision-making tool. The DUER leads to the development of the annual programme for the prevention of occupational risks.
The single document is evidence that the employer has assessed the risks. It must:
- the implementation of preventive measures and work and production methods guaranteeing a better level of protection of the health and safety of workers at all levels of activity and management;
- inform employees, including those who do not know the location;
- organise and coordinate prevention between contractors in the case of subcontracting, in particular in the preparation of the prevention plan.
- Since 1er January 2015, the employer must identify occupational risks, factors of hardship in the company and record them in the DUER
4. Which company is involved? Who is responsible for implementing the DUER?
Any company that employs one or more employees whatever they are (permanent, temporary, intermittent employees, etc.)
Attention This obligation extends to the implementation of preventive measures.
It is the responsibility of the employer to produce the single risk assessment document. He may, however, be assisted by partners (competent employee, IPRP, occupational physician, IPRP) in this task, but his responsibility will remain entirely.
5. When will the DUER be completed?
The DUER is based on an a priori evaluation principle. Its updating must be carried out without waiting for the realization of the work situations at risk or the realization of the damages. The single document is therefore produced a priori.
The Labour Code requires the employer to update the single risk assessment document:
1) at least annually;
2) in any major adjustment decision modifying health and safety conditions or working conditions, within the meaning of Article L. 4612-8;
3) when additional information relevant to the assessment of a risk in a work unit is collected: feedback, accident/incident, changes in knowledge, etc.
Attention : - The DUER is different for each company. - The DUER must be carried out for each performance, shooting, etc. since the conditions and/or workplace are modified. This is why it is important to date the DUER. |
6. Form and content of the single document
The DUER should not be considered as a static document but should give rise to preventive actions to reduce the identified risks.
It takes the form of a written document containing in detail the results of the assessment of the risks to the health and safety of workers within the undertaking and/or a show. The form is free, but at As a minimum, the single document should include:
- an identification of the dangers, that is, what is likely to alter the physical and mental health of an employee;
- The Work Units specifying:
- The number and status of employees in this UT;
- The work done in this UT;
- in each work unit, an inventory of the identified risks resulting from the study of the conditions of exposure of employees to these hazards;
- a ranking of risks according to criteria of severity and probability. This ranking may take into account existing and implemented prevention measures: choice of work method, equipment for the least hazardous products, collective protective measures, employee information and training, personal protective equipment, display of safety instructions, etc.
It is advisable to mention in the DUER the preventive measures planned or implemented for each situation, indicating in relation to the planned prevention program, and its planning over time.
Attention: There is no standard model, the DUER is different for each company and must be closely linked to the prevention program. However, you can find elements to conduct and formalize your risk assessment and the single document:
- on the file 887 National Institute for Research and Safety for the Prevention of Accidents at Work and Occupational Diseases (INRS)
- with the multidisciplinary team of the Medical Centre of the Exchange (CMB), which is at your disposal to propose a methodology and support you in the production of your single document. You can send your intervention requests to: intervention[@]cmb-sante.fr
7. How to develop the DUER?
The DUER process consists of three essential phases, which interact: document production; information; and implementation. Each of these phases must take into account the actual work and the other phases, in a kind of cycle giving rise to the updating of the DUER, always bearing in mind the following objectives: define the risk (example: risk of physical or mental health impairment) and danger (i.e. what is causing the risk); evaluate it (calculation and measurement of risk); prevent hazards.