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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
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 .
" Professionals of the Void " — Working High Off the Ground
In 1979 , high mountain guide René Desmaison published an autobiography about
his career and his personal commitments , titled Professionnel du vide ( “ Professional
of the Void ” ) . Renowned for his many first ascents , the French mountaineer shared
his life story — one shaped by commitment and pushing human limits in mountains
all over the world . Today , " professionals of the void " , or those who work at height ,
often hanging in free space , are more often found on urban infrastructure , ski lifts ,
and industrial buildings than on north faces or cliffs in the Verdon Gorge . In France ,
there are now over 15 , 000 rope access technicians , compared to fewer than 2 , 000
mountain guides and 6 , 000 climbing instructors .
Rope access workers operate in high - risk environments every day . The work demands
physical fitness and a level of vigilance that few other professions require . While many
are passionate about their work , they know all too well that it is among the most grueling
and hazardous professions ( 1 ) .
To better understand their working conditions and improve the prevention of occupational
injuries and accidents , the Petzl Foundation has supported several research programs .
In 2024 , a team of researchers from Lyon worked to measure the mechanical ,
physiological , and psychological stresses faced by these professionals on the job .
Their findings build on an initial report published in 2017 on rope access worker injuries .
The results of these studies are available on our website in both French and English ( 2 ) .
Beyond research efforts , we also support organizations that rely on rope access
work to carry out their missions . In 2024 , we helped equip volunteers from the Corps
Mondial de Secours , an NGO specializing in search and rescue operations for victims
of natural disasters .
1 . Workers at height ( across all sectors ) , deep - sea fishermen , and high mountain guides are among
the most dangerous professions in France .
2 . https : / / www . petzl . com / fondation / s / mieux - connaitre - blessures - cordiste ? language = en _ US
The Conservatory of Natural Areas of Isère , France , also received a donation of equipment for
working at height , enabling them to carry out biodiversity surveys in hazardous environments
to help protect endangered species .
The Petzl Foundation
Exploring New Horizons
The site for professionals working at height
and in dark environments .
• Discover Petzl ’ s 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 .
Headquarters : Petzl Distribution , Z . I . Crolles , 38920 CROLLES , FRANCE
Graphic design :
Pierre Bena design - www . pierrebenadesign . com
Product photos ( non - contractual photos ) : © Petzl Distribution
Kalice - www . kalice . fr
Aurélie Jeannette , Photographer - www . aureliejeannette . com
Yannick Siegel
www . petzl . com
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