Confined Space Rescue Davits - Confined Spaces in the Workplace Should Utilize Davits

Confined Spaces in the Workplace Should Utilize Davits


Did you know that according to official statistics there are tens of thousands of work places across the UK with confined spaces? When you consider that confined spaces are things like storage tanks, vaults, sewers, and silos, it's easy to see the truth of those statistics. Yet one thing that employers seem to forget is that such confined spaces are an open invitation to an accident. That's why confined space rescue davits should be installed in any workplace where these confined conditions exist.


Confined Space Defined

A confined space area is classified as one with limited access. Most of these spaces have only a single access point by which workers can get in and out. They also have the added danger of typically being very small work areas that require employees to work by lying on their backs, kneeling down, or squatting. Because these spaces are so small and tight any accidents could be significantly more serious.


Rescue Davits for These Spaces

For permanent confined spaces such as these, a portable aluminium tripod is not practical. It gets in the way of workers, is easily knocked over during the daily routine of the work day, and must be folded up and stored away when not in use. On the other hand, a rescue davit can be permanently mounted either on the wall or the floor where is always accessible - but never in the way when not in use. There are several different ways to utilize a confined space rescue davit in this way.

To mount a davit on the floor you typically use a base plate with a sleeve. That plate and sleeve is probably affixed to the floor using lag bolts, while the post of the davit slips into the sleeve and is secured another bolt or two. From there the cantilever arm is placed on the post and can usually be swivelled in 360° of rotation. When the davit is not in use it can be swivelled out of the way, or the post can be removed entirely.

A wall-mounted rescue davit has the added benefit of not taking up more space. However, it tends to not have the swivel capabilities of a floor-mounted unit. A wall unit utilizes a steel bracket mounted to the wall with several lag bolts, to which is attached either a cantilever arm or the davit itself. This type of system is ideal in situations where no other work is performed around the confined space access hole.


Winches

One of the most important aspects of the confined space rescue davit system is the winch. Some winches utilize electric motors while others are cranked by hand. Regardless, the winch utilizes a rope which is run through a pulley system in order to lift a person out of a confined space as safely and quickly as possible. In the event of a winch failure, the rescue system should have a backup fall arrest built in.