How Is a Davit Arm Set Up for Confined Space Entry and Rescue?

“A davit arm is only as dependable as its base, its connections and the rescue plan behind it.”

A davit arm can provide an overhead attachment point for confined-space entry and retrieval. But setting one up involves more than placing an arm above an opening. The base must suit the structure, every component must be compatible, and the complete arrangement must work for the person entering the space and the team responsible for getting them out.

This guide explains the practical stages of setting up a davit arm for a workplace confined-space operation. It distinguishes the installation of a base or socket from the assembly and checks carried out before each use.

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What Makes Up a Confined-Space Davit System?

A davit is usually part of a modular system. Depending on the manufacturer and application, that system may include:

• A fixed socket, wall-mounted base or approved portable base
• A mast or mast extension
• A davit arm with a specified reach
• Approved mounting brackets
• A personnel winch or suitable retrieval device
• A fall-arrest device where the risk assessment requires one
• Compatible connectors and a suitable harness

These components are not interchangeable simply because they appear to fit together. The permitted combination, working capacity and intended use must be confirmed from the manufacturer’s instructions and equipment markings.

If you need a broader explanation of what a davit does and where it is used, see our guide to davit arms.

1. Plan the Entry and Rescue Before Setting Up Equipment

Under UK confined-space guidance, the first question is whether entry can be avoided. If entry is necessary, the employer must assess the hazards, establish a safe system of work and put suitable emergency arrangements in place before anyone enters.

For a davit-assisted operation, the plan should establish:

• What the entrant is doing and what hazards exist inside the space
• The dimensions and position of the opening
• Where the base can be safely positioned
• Whether the arm has the reach needed to place the line appropriately over the entry point
• How the entrant will be connected to the retrieval system
• Whether the person can be brought through the opening without snagging
• Who will operate the equipment and who will coordinate the rescue
• What happens if non-entry retrieval is not possible

A davit does not, by itself, make a confined space safe to enter. Atmospheric testing, ventilation, isolation, communication, supervision and any permit arrangements must also be addressed where the risk assessment requires them.

Emergency services should not be the sole rescue arrangement. The site needs people, equipment and procedures capable of starting an appropriate response without waiting for an external team to arrive.

2. Choose and Verify the Davit Base or Socket

What is a davit arm base? It is the part of the system that supports the mast and transfers forces into a suitable structure or approved portable arrangement. The base may be permanently fixed or brought to the location for a particular job.

Common configurations include:

• Fixed floor or core-mounted sockets: installed at a designated entry point.
• Wall-mounted bases: fixed to a structure where the design permits.
• Portable or counterweighted bases: used only in the configurations and conditions approved by the manufacturer.

The choice depends on the entry location, supporting structure, available space, system loads and the intended rescue method. A socket that accepts a mast is not automatically suitable for that mast or safe for the planned operation.

Before using an existing base, confirm its identity, compatibility, condition and inspection status. Look for damage, corrosion, movement, missing fixings or changes to the structure around it. If its installation history or capacity cannot be established, have it assessed before relying on it.

For a new fixed base, the structure, fixings and installation method need to be assessed by a competent person. Any commissioning or pull testing should follow the applicable design and manufacturer requirements. An improvised pull test is not a substitute for verifying that the complete installation is suitable.

3. Assemble the Mast, Arm and Retrieval Equipment

Once the approved base is ready, trained users can assemble the system for the task. The exact sequence, locking arrangements and adjustments come from the instructions for that particular model.

The setup should confirm that:

• The mast and arm are approved for the base being used
• All sections are seated and secured as specified
• Locking pins or other retaining devices are present and correctly engaged
• The arm is positioned within its permitted reach and orientation
• The winch or retrieval device is attached using its approved bracket
• The line follows the manufacturer’s specified route and does not rub against an edge
• The harness connection and any separate fall-arrest arrangement suit the planned operation
• The configured system remains within its marked capacity

A system’s capacity can change with its configuration. Do not assume that a rating shown for one arm length, mounting position or application applies to another. Check the instructions for the assembled combination.

4. Carry Out Pre-Use Checks Before Entry

Pre-use checks help identify faults that may have developed since the last formal examination or the previous job. They should follow the instructions for the davit, base, winch, fall-protection equipment and harness.

Checks commonly address:

• Equipment identity and evidence that required formal examinations are current
• Visible damage, corrosion, distortion or missing parts
• The condition of the base, fixings and supporting structure
• Correct engagement of pins and locking mechanisms
• The condition of cable or rope, connectors, hooks and brackets
• Correct routing of the line and clearance from sharp edges
• Operation of the winch and other devices using the manufacturer’s prescribed checks
• A clear route for raising or lowering a person through the opening

Any defect, unexpected movement, failed check or uncertainty about compatibility should stop the setup being used until a competent person has assessed it. A successful inspection on a previous date does not excuse using visibly damaged equipment today.

The team should also confirm that everyone knows their role, communication arrangements work, and the rescue method remains practical under the actual site conditions.

What Is the Difference Between Installation and Daily Setup?

Keep the installation information, equipment instructions, examination reports and any test records available to the people planning and carrying out the work. If the base, surrounding structure or system configuration changes, review whether the previous assessment and records still apply.

If a system has failed an inspection or its technical information is incomplete, our guide to davit arm inspection failures explains some common next steps.

Davit Arm Setup FAQs

Can the same davit arm be used with several bases?

It may be possible if the manufacturer approves that mast and arm for each base. Every base must be suitable for its location and intended configuration. Check the identification and records for each installation.

Can I use a portable davit base instead of installing a socket?

Possibly. Some systems offer approved portable, counterweighted or vehicle-supported bases. They have specific setup conditions and limitations. Select one through the site risk assessment and follow its manufacturer’s instructions.

Does a davit arm need pull testing after installation?

Any commissioning test should be determined by the system design, manufacturer’s instructions and competent installer or engineer. Pull testing may be specified for a particular installation, but it is not a universal substitute for checking the base, fixings and supporting structure.

Can a davit arm be used to lift materials?

Only if the complete configuration is approved and marked for that use. A personnel retrieval system must not be assumed suitable for materials lifting, and equipment used to lift materials must not be assumed suitable for lifting people.

How many people can use one davit system?

That depends on the exact base, mast, arm, devices and configuration. Check the manufacturer’s stated limits and the rescue plan. Never infer a two-person capacity from the appearance of the equipment or from another model in the same range.

Do you need to inspect a davit before every use?

Yes. Users should carry out the pre-use checks required by the manufacturer and their safe system of work. Formal examination at the relevant interval is a separate requirement and does not replace those checks.

Can anyone assemble a davit arm?

Assembly should be carried out by people trained and competent to use that system and its retrieval equipment. A fixed base should be designed and installed by people competent for the structure, fixings and loads involved.

Is a davit arm enough for a confined-space rescue plan?

No. The plan must address the hazards, people, communication, equipment and actions needed for a foreseeable emergency. It should also account for situations where a person cannot be retrieved using the davit alone.

Resources and Further Guidance

• • HSE – Introduction to Working in Confined Spaces
  • HSE – Confined Spaces Legislation and Emergency Arrangements
  • HSE – Safe Work in Confined Spaces (L101)
  • HSE – LOLER Overview
  • 3M – Example of Modular Davit Arm and Base Configurations