What Is a Davit Arm? Uses, Inspection Requirements & Safety Explained

If you’ve ever seen someone being lowered into a manhole, rescued from a confined space, or working safely over the edge of a rooftop, there is a good chance a davit arm was involved.

Davit arms are widely used across construction, utilities, water treatment, facilities management and industrial sites. They provide a secure overhead anchorage point for lifting, lowering, rescue and fall protection activities where conventional access equipment may not be practical.

Despite being common on many sites, davit arms are often misunderstood. Many people know they are used for confined space entry or rescue, but are less familiar with how they work, what standards apply, and why regular inspection and pull testing are so important.

This guide explains what a davit arm is, where it is used, the different types available, and what employers need to know about inspection, maintenance and compliance.

Here’s what this guide covers:

What Is a Davit Arm?

A davit arm is a mechanical arm mounted onto a fixed or portable base that provides a safe overhead anchorage point.

The arm extends outwards over an opening, edge or working area, allowing personnel, rescue systems or equipment to be raised, lowered or secured safely.

Most davit systems consist of:

• A davit arm
• A mast or upright support
• A base or socket
• Connection points for winches, retrieval devices or fall arrest equipment
• Associated rescue and lifting accessories

Some davit systems are permanently installed, while others are portable and can be moved between different locations around a site.

Davit Arm vs Davit System: What’s the Difference?

Strictly speaking, the davit arm is only one part of the full system.

The complete davit system may include the arm, mast, socket, base, winch, fall arrest block, retrieval device, fixings and supporting structure.

This distinction matters because inspection and compliance do not stop at the visible arm. The socket, fixings, base and structure behind the system also need to be suitable for the intended use.

A davit arm may look fine, but the overall system can still be unsuitable if the socket is damaged, the fixings are unknown, the structure has not been verified, or the wrong equipment has been connected to it.

What Is a Davit Arm Used For?

Davit arms are used wherever a safe overhead anchor point is needed.

Common applications include:

• Confined space entry and rescue
• Manhole access
• Water treatment facilities
• Pumping stations
• Industrial tanks and vessels
• Rooftop access systems
• Facade maintenance and rope access
• Equipment lifting and retrieval operations

Many organisations use davit systems because they provide a safer and more practical solution than larger lifting equipment in restricted areas.

Types of Davit Arms

There are several different types of davit arm systems.

Fixed Davit Arms

Fixed systems are permanently installed into a structure using a dedicated base or socket. They are often used at locations where access is required regularly.

Portable Davit Arms

Portable systems can be moved between different locations. This makes them popular on sites with multiple access points.

Counterweight Davit Systems

These systems use counterweights instead of permanent fixings and are commonly used where drilling into the structure is not practical.

Roof Davit Systems

Roof-mounted davits are frequently used for facade access, maintenance and rope access activities on commercial buildings.

The best option depends on the access point, rescue plan, supporting structure, required reach, intended load and whether the system needs to move between locations.

How Do You Choose the Right Davit Arm?

The right davit arm depends on the task, site layout and type of load being supported.

Before choosing a system, consider:

• Whether the davit will be used for personnel, materials, rescue or a combination of uses
• Whether the system needs to be fixed, portable or counterweighted
• The available space around the access point
• The required reach over the opening or edge
• The supporting structure and fixing method
• Whether multiple sockets or bases are needed across the site
• Which winches, fall arrest blocks or retrieval devices need to be compatible

This is why davit systems should be selected around the actual task, not just the headline load rating.

What Is a Davit Socket?

A davit socket is the fixed mounting point that accepts the davit arm.

While the davit arm itself may be removable, the socket remains permanently installed.

This offers several advantages:

• One davit arm can serve multiple locations
• Equipment is easier to transport and store
• The arm can be removed when not in use
• The fixed socket can be inspected as part of the wider system

Davit sockets are commonly found on water treatment sites, pumping stations, rooftops and industrial facilities.

Why Do Davit Arms Need Inspection?

Like any safety-critical access system, davit arms require inspection and maintenance.

Inspection helps identify:

• Corrosion
• Mechanical wear
• Damaged components
• Loose fixings
• Socket deterioration
• Missing documentation
• Previous unauthorised modifications

A davit arm can appear to be in good condition while still having issues that affect compliance or safety.

This is why many organisations arrange regular davit arm inspection, maintenance and pull testing by a competent provider.

Why Are Davit Arms Pull Tested?

Pull testing helps verify that the system and its supporting structure can withstand the required loads.

The test is used to confirm that:

• The installation remains secure
• The fixing arrangement is suitable
• The supporting structure remains adequate
• The system can continue to be used safely

Depending on the installation, pull testing may be required during initial installation, after remedial works or as part of ongoing compliance management.

Many organisations wrongly assume a visual inspection alone is sufficient.

In reality, the structural integrity of the installation is often one of the most important elements of the entire system.

What Standards Apply to Davit Arms?

The exact standards that apply will depend on the type of davit system and how it is being used.

Commonly referenced standards include:

• BS 7883
• BS 8610
• EN 795
• Manufacturer-specific guidance
• Work at Height Regulations 2005

Compliance is not just about the davit arm itself. The socket, fixings, structure, inspection regime and intended use all need to work together safely.

What Records Should Be Kept for a Davit Arm?

Davit systems should have clear records that show how the system was installed, inspected and maintained.

Useful records may include:

• System design information
• Manufacturer instructions
• Installation records
• Fixing and socket details
• Load ratings and intended use
• Previous inspection reports
• Pull test records
• Details of repairs or modifications

These records matter because an inspector may need to verify more than the visible condition of the arm. If the technical information behind the system is missing, the davit may be difficult to recertify even if it appears to be in good condition.

What Happens If a Davit Arm Fails Inspection?

A failed inspection does not automatically mean the system must be removed permanently.

Common issues include:

• Missing technical files
• Corrosion
• Damaged components
• Unknown fixing arrangements
• Missing inspection records
• Lack of evidence supporting the original installation

In many cases, additional investigation, remedial work or pull testing may allow the system to be brought back into compliance.

For a more detailed guide, see: Has Your Davit Arm Failed Inspection?

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about davit arms, davit sockets, inspection requirements and pull testing.

What is the purpose of a davit arm?

A davit arm provides a secure overhead anchor point for lifting, lowering, rescue, retrieval and fall protection activities.

What is a davit arm used for?

Davit arms are commonly used for confined space entry, rescue operations, rooftop access, industrial maintenance and lifting applications.

What is a davit socket?

A davit socket is the fixed mounting point that accepts a removable davit arm. It allows one davit arm to be used at multiple locations.

How often should a davit arm be inspected?

Inspection frequency depends on the equipment, usage, environment and manufacturer guidance. Safety-critical systems should be inspected by competent persons at suitable intervals.

Why are davit arms pull tested?

Pull testing helps verify that the installation, fixings and supporting structure remain capable of safely supporting the required loads.

Can davit arms be used for confined space rescue?

Yes. Davit arms are widely used with rescue winches, retrieval systems and fall arrest devices for confined space entry and rescue operations.

Is a davit arm the same as a davit system?

Not exactly. The davit arm is one component of the full system. A davit system may also include the mast, socket, base, winch, fall arrest block, retrieval device, fixings and supporting structure.

Can one davit arm be used with multiple sockets?

Yes, in many systems one removable davit arm can be used with multiple compatible sockets or bases across a site. Each socket still needs to be suitable, installed correctly and inspected as part of the system.

What is a davit in construction?

In construction, a davit is a lifting or anchorage system used to support safe access, rescue, retrieval or lifting at openings, edges, excavations, shafts and confined spaces. Davit arms are often used where larger lifting equipment is impractical or where a secure overhead anchor point is needed.

Can Velocity Safety inspect and pull test davit arms?

Yes. Velocity Safety provides davit arm inspection, maintenance, installation support and pull testing services throughout the UK.

Resources

• HSE: Confined Spaces Guidance
• HSE: Working at Height Guidance
• Davit Arm Installation & Pull Testing
• Has Your Davit Arm Failed Inspection?