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© I T R A © S a r a h D e l B e n, F o n d a t i o n U G A © O l i v i e r L e f e b v r e

© 2022 Petzl Distribution - Vuedici.org

Elevating the arms less

than 60° is considered

to present a low risk of

injury (P1), elevation between

60 and 90° is considered to

present a risk of injury (P2),

and elevation above 90° is

considered to present a high

risk of injury (P3).

Support ecological transition

in mountainous areas

Encourage mountain exploration Prevent accidents

in vertical environments

Our courses of action:

The Petzl Foundation’s mission is to support and initiate public interest projects

through its activities in mountainous and vertical domains; projects that help bring

balance to humankind’s place in its natural, cultural, and economic environments.

The foundation supports non-profit organizations through financial and equipment

grants, as well as consultation and training.

New Knowledge About the Work Conditions of Rope Access Technicians

The Laboratory of Vulnerabilities and Innovation in Sport (University of Lyon 1)

and the Petzl Foundation are publishing their first round of results from an

ongoing study on the working conditions of rope access technicians in France.

This research focuses on the organization of work, career paths of rope access

technicians, and mental, physiological and mechanical demands placed on these

professionals in the course of their work. It is a continuation of a 2017 epidemiological

study on injuries suffered by French rope access technicians that was also supported

by the Petzl Foundation

(1)

.

Without diving into the details of the results published in the summary,

"A Look at the Working Conditions of Rope Access Technicians"

(2)

, we can say that:

•The amount of time spent with arms raised at an angle that suggests high risk of injury

(> 90°) is up to two times greater for those on rope than those on ground level.

•Every week, a rope access technician performs an average of close to 2500 arm lifts

that suggest risk (>60°), for both right and left arms; a figure comparable to the average

2500 strokes per week that a tennis player hits in training (national and international level).

•On average, rope access technicians exert effort of moderate intensity throughout

a workday (around 100 heartbeats per minute - bpm - equivalent to a rapid walk).

We also observe several spikes of elevated intensity characterized by heart rates

in excess of 140 bpm. The average heart rate of a person at rest is 70 bpm.

•Average levels and intensity spikes tend to be more elevated at the beginning of

the week than at the end of the week. The proportion of high-intensity activity is higher

at the beginning of the week and tends to decrease throughout the work week.

•A rope access technician’s work week is characterized by a heavy mental workload

(perceptions of pain and fatigue) that regularly increase throughout the week. However,

the weeks are generally perceived to be pleasant, exciting, and stimulating (perceptions

of challenge and reward, excitement).

1 - Vignal, Soulé, Rogowski, Epidemiological Study on French Rope Access Technicians, 2017.

Find it online on www.fondation-petzl.org

2 - Online at: https://www.petzl.com/fondation/s/mieux-connaitre-blessures-cordiste?language=en_US

The Petzl Foundation

Exploring New Horizons

The site for professionals working at height

and in dark environments.

•Discover Petzl solutions for verticality and lighting

•Check out tips and technical information on best

practices for using Petzl products

•Find all the Petzl news and reports on various trades:

videos, news, portraits, and events

Find us on:

Pages to explore

Beyond our product offerings, Petzl offers a wide range

of technical information: Instructions for Use, tech tips,

PPE inspection records, and more.

Discover all the content pages on our website. Whether

you are novice or expert in your field, Petzl shares its technical

expertise to help you work more safely and efficiently.

On our product pages, you will find:

-Instructions for Use: they are the base of our technical

information and provide the essentials for using your products.

Remember to read them before using your products.

-Technical tips, “by Petzl”. They contain information

complementary to the Instructions for Use: test results,

feedback, and technical videos. Documents with all you

need to know about your products!

-Documents and procedures for PPE inspection:

use them when you inspect your PPE

Petzl.com

The activities depicted are inherently dangerous.

All users must be trained and competent in the use of the equipment for these activities.

Petzl headquarters: PETZL INTERNATIONAL. Z.I. Crolles, 38920 CROLLES, FRANCE

Graphic design:

Pierre Bena design - www.pierrebenadesign.com

Product photos (non-contractual photos): © Petzl

Kalice - www.kalice.fr

Aurélie Jeannette, Photographer - www.aureliejeannette.com

Yannick Siegel

www.petzl.com

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