Davit Arm Safety Systems

SEL's Davit Safety System provides complete vertical access, fall protection and emergency retrieval for operatives entering shored excavations, trench boxes and manholes. Featuring a 710mm fixed reach offset arm and 127mm barrel mount clamp base, the system integrates a 30m man-riding winch, 15m fall arrest recovery block and versatile mounting options to maintain strict compliance with UK Work at Height and confined space regulations.

Key Features and Capabilities

Safe vertical entry into deep trenches requires an overhead anchor point positioned cleanly over the excavation opening. The SEL Davit Safety System features an upper arm providing a fixed 710 mm (71 cm) reach offset, alongside vertical height adjustment from 1,470 mm to 1,700 mm (1.47 m to 1.70 m). This clearance allows site teams to clear waler rails, trench box struts and top guardrails while maintaining smooth cable movement during entry and egress.

Equipped with a 360-degree rotating boom mast and positive locking pins, operatives can be positioned precisely over the entry point or swivelled inward to ground level during egress. The standard kit utilizes a heavy-duty 127 mm (5") barrel mount clamp base made from mild steel with a protective finish, clamping securely over trench box top rails and shoring walls up to 127 mm thick without requiring ground staking.

Unlike basic tripod setups that require large flat footprints around an excavation, our davit arm system mounts directly onto existing groundworks shoring. By securing to Trench Box Systems or Trench Sheets, the davit system keeps the surrounding trench edge clear for plant machinery, materials and perimeter Tube Steel Barriers.

Typical Applications

• Confined space entry into deep trenches, cofferdams and utility chambers
• Operative access and egress in shored excavation box systems up to 127 mm wall thickness
• Emergency retrieval and rescue operations under CDM 2015 guidelines
• Manhole access and vertical maintenance using free-standing counterbalance bases
• Fall arrest protection during ladder descent and vertical ascent near trench edges

Modular Kit Components

Every Davit Safety System supplied by SEL is composed of modular components designed for fast 1-person or 2-person assembly on site without specialist tools. The complete hire package includes:

• Upper Davit Arm — Upper boom providing a 710 mm reach offset, 1.47 m to 1.70 m vertical height adjustment and 360-degree rotation
• Lower Davit Arm Extension — Heavy-duty vertical mast extension section providing overhead clearance
• 127 mm Barrel Mount Clamp Base — Mild steel clamping socket with protective coating that locks onto shoring walls up to 127 mm (5") thick
• 30m Man-Riding Winch — Primary mechanical entry and egress winch equipped with 30 metres of galvanized steel cable and internal braking
• 15m Fall Arrest & Recovery Winch — Retractable fall arrester with 15 metres of cable and an integrated 3-way emergency retrieval winch
• Winch Mounting Brackets — Dedicated quick-release brackets securing winches directly to the davit mast section

Regulations and LOLER Compliance

All davit safety equipment supplied by SEL undergoes rigorous pre-hire inspection and testing in line with British and European safety standards. Transportable davit arms and clamping bases are certified to BS EN 795:2012 (Class B), retractable fall arresters comply with BS EN 360 and emergency rescue winches meet BS EN 1496.

Because davit arms and man-riding winches are classified as personnel lifting equipment under the UK Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), all hire equipment undergoes a thorough examination every 6 months by qualified SEL engineers. Complete certification paperwork is provided with every dispatch.

Davit Safety Systems: Common Questions

Hire Davit Safety Systems

SEL supplies complete davit arm safety packages for hire with prompt UK-wide delivery from our depots in Bristol, Cardiff and London. Contact our technical sales team for expert guidance, compatibility checks with your shoring equipment or a fast competitive quote.