Have you ever wondered how a Davit Arm works and when it should be used? This blog explains the uses of a Davit Arm System.
A Davit Arm System can be used in a variety of industries and applications. The Davit Arm System allows for a single worker to complete tasks which previously would have taken two or more people to complete, saving your company time and money. Mobile davit arm systems offer mobile fall protection, meaning they can be moved around the site as required, whereas a fixed davit system provides fixed fall protection, offering a permanent fall protection option via a fixed base that stays in place for regular tasks.
When going vertical, Davit Arm Systems are the ideal adjustable height fall protection system. Knowing when to use these systems is vital, however, if you want to ensure the maximum safety for your workers with the appropriate use of a fall protection system.
What Are Davit Systems?
A Davit Arm System consists of a vertical pole, possibly with a tilting head, and an attachment point at the top known as a davit. A safety belt is used to secure users around the waist, tied off to the davit which in turn is tied into a structure above.
Essentially they offer you the ability to lower yourself into position whilst working at height thanks to the height adjustable mast installed into the barrel mount which can be fixed or mobile. The system is secured in place, and a counterbalance attached meaning your weight is far lighter than the forces on the other side of the davit. This gives workers the confidence to work at height without worrying about falling. It’s the ultimate in height safety when it comes to tasks that require you to be suspended.
What’s The Difference Between A Mobile & Fixed Davit Arm System?
Both have the same uses and are made up of the same parts – the difference between a complete mobile system is the mobile davit mast which can be moved into various positions vs a fixed davit arm which is in a permanent place.
Essentially the difference is a fixed or mobile base. Either way they’ll be capable of providing both vertical and horizontal access into narrow spaces or an enclosed space, or safely lower a worker over the side of a building for facade access, maintenance and cleaning.
When Are Davit Systems Used?
Our vertical Davit arms are a cost effective, safe way to work on a height limitation for a variety of reasons.
A Davit Arm is a very useful piece of equipment for your team when working at height, this could be changing light bulbs, painting, cleaning windows or inspecting structures to name but a few. They’re popular for cleaning and maintenance tasks, but also important during rescue operations and are often used in complex rescue scenarios such as confined space entry to a lower level. Confined space rescue operations require precision and reassurance – davit arms provide both.
Davit Arm positioned on the roof of the building for window cleaning and repairs.
Should I Use Anchor Bolts Or Davit Arms?
Davit arm systems offer an advantage over anchor points, for example, as they can provide up to 2000mm outreach, minimising the need for ropes trailing over parapet capping or balustrades. If you need to complete regular maintenance checks or cleaning duties around the façade of a building then they can provide paramount access. Fixed anchor points are a great option in other scenarios and attaching anchor points can be helpful in providing fall protection – but davit arm systems allow you to reach out further over obstacles to access other areas of the building or site in a way other descent systems simply can’t.
Davit arm systems are commonly used as height safety solutions to raise, lower, and suspend personnel performing routine work duties or to facilitate rescues in vertical confined space applications such as manholes, vaults, rigs and pumping stations where the fall distance is significant enough to pose risk of injury.
All of our Davit arms systems are tailored to our customers needs, we look at every aspect including the dimensions that are available to us and the height requirements to provide the ultimate system for maximum safety.
What Type Of Davit Arms Should Be Used?
There are many different variants of davit arms systems made of a range of materials.
Many of our customers in the offshore oil and gas industries use our davit systems in either aluminium or stainless steel for fall protection, depending on the demands of the working environment.
Our stainless steel lifting davit arms are used as fall arrest by food production industries that must adhere to stringent cleanliness regulations.
Altus Safety can advise you which Davit system is appropriate for your needs. We specialise in installing and testing height safety solutions so your safety is our priority. We will keep you up to date with your annual maintenance and compliance testing requirements too, to ensure the swivel arm system is in appropriate working order. Call one of the team to find out how we can help with your fall arrest requirements today on 0330 113 0870.